Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the top inch of soil to feel for moisture.
- Inspect the base of the stems for mushy spots.
- Check if the pot has working drainage holes.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves feel thin and papery, and the stems lose their firm, upright posture.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until liquid runs out of the drainage holes. Ensure the top inch of soil is dry before watering again every 3 to 7 days.
Root rot
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems look mushy or dark at the base, and the soil smells sour or swampy.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black, slimy roots. Repot into fresh, well draining potting mix and wait a few days before watering.
Find out what's wrong with your geranium
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 stays wilted even after a deep watering, the roots may be too damaged to recover. A slight droop on a very hot afternoon is normal and usually resolves by evening.
Stopping it coming back
Stick to a consistent watering schedule and always empty the saucer under the pot so the plant never sits in standing water.
Geranium: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your geranium 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I mist my drooping geranium?
- No, misting does not help and can actually encourage fungal issues on the leaves. Focus on watering the soil directly.
- Will my plant recover if it wilts?
- Yes, if you catch it early, most geraniums bounce back within a few hours of getting a good drink.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Geranium
- Why are my geranium's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my geranium growing so leggy?
- How do I get rid of pests on my geranium?
- Why are there spots on my geranium leaves?
- Why is my geranium not blooming?
- Why is my geranium's stem turning black and mushy?
- Why are my geranium's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my geranium losing its leaves?
- Why are my geranium leaves curling?
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.