Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is dry or soggy.
- Lift the pot to see if it feels unusually light.
- Check the stems for signs of mushiness.
Likely causes
Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems look limp and the soil feels bone dry.
What to do: Give the plant a thorough soak until water drains from the bottom. Resume your regular watering schedule of every 5 to 7 days.
Root rot
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are drooping despite the soil being wet, and the base of the plant may look dark or mushy.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black or slimy roots. Repot into fresh, well draining soil and reduce your watering frequency.
Find out what's wrong with your creeping charlie
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
Drooping is usually a quick fix if caught early. If the stems are turning black and mushy, the plant is in serious trouble.
Stopping it coming back
Avoid letting the soil sit in standing water and ensure the plant gets bright, indirect light.
Creeping Charlie: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your creeping charlie 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
- Will my plant bounce back after drooping?
- If the drooping is caused by thirst, it will usually perk up within a few hours of watering. If it is root rot, recovery takes much longer.
- Can heat cause drooping?
- Yes, if the plant is near a heater or in direct sun, it will lose moisture too fast. Move it to a cooler spot with indirect light.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Creeping Charlie
- Why is my Creeping Charlie suffering from root rot?
- Why does my Creeping Charlie have pests?
- Why is my Creeping Charlie growing so leggy?
- Why are my Creeping Charlie leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Creeping Charlie's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Creeping Charlie dropping leaves?
- Why are my Creeping Charlie leaves curling?
Back to the Creeping Charlie 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.