Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check the soil moisture at the base of the tree.
- Look for signs of bark damage or oozing near the wilting branches.
- Observe if the drooping happens only in the heat of the day.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves look wilted and limp, especially during the hottest part of the day. The soil feels dry and cracked around the base of the tree.
What to do: Give the tree a deep, slow watering until the soil is moist 6 to 10 inches deep. Maintain a regular watering schedule every 7 to 14 days during dry spells.
Verticillium wilt
PossibleHow to tell: Branches wilt and die back suddenly, often starting on one side of the tree. The leaves may turn yellow or brown before falling off.
What to do: Prune out the infected branches well below the wilted area. Sterilize your pruning tools with alcohol between cuts to prevent spreading the fungus.
Find out what's wrong with your princess tree
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 tree stays wilted even after a deep watering, or if branches are dying back, it is a serious concern. Temporary wilting on a hot afternoon is normal for young trees.
Stopping it coming back
Water deeply and consistently during the first year to help the tree establish a strong root system.
Princess tree: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your princess tree 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 do I know if it is wilt or just dry?
- If the tree perks up after a deep watering, it was just dry. If it stays wilted despite wet soil, it may be a disease like Verticillium wilt.
- Should I prune all the drooping branches?
- Only prune if you suspect a disease like wilt. If it is just dry, the leaves will recover once the tree is hydrated.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Princess tree
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- Is my Princess tree suffering from root rot?
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- Why are my Princess tree leaves curling?
Back to the Princess tree 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.