Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is dry or soggy.
- Check the pot to make sure it is not sitting in standing water.
- Smell the soil for any signs of rot.
Likely causes
Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil is bone dry and the leaves feel limp and soft.
What to do: Give the plant a deep soak immediately. Ensure the water reaches the entire root ball by watering until it runs out the bottom.
Root Rot
PossibleHow to tell: The soil is soggy, smells sour, and the base of the plant looks mushy.
What to do: Stop watering and let the soil dry out slightly. If the roots are black and slimy, you will need to repot into fresh, well draining soil.
Find out what's wrong with your greater wood-rush
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
If the plant does not perk up within a few hours of watering, the roots may be damaged. A slight wilt in the heat of the day is normal, but it should recover by evening.
Stopping it coming back
Use a pot with drainage holes and never let the plant sit in a saucer of water.
Greater wood-rush: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your greater wood-rush and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
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Questions people ask
- How often should I check the soil?
- Check it every 3 days. Greater wood-rush prefers to stay evenly moist but not swampy.
- Will my plant recover from root rot?
- It depends on how much of the root system is healthy. If you catch it early and remove the dead roots, it has a good chance.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Greater wood-rush
Back to the Greater wood-rush guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.