Should I water my grass every day?

No, daily watering encourages shallow roots that make the grass more prone to drooping. Stick to a deep watering schedule of one or two sessions per week.

Does mowing height affect drooping?

Yes, keeping your grass cut too short exposes the soil to the sun and causes it to dry out faster. Keep your mower set to at least 3 inches.

Why is my Kentucky bluegrass drooping? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Push a screwdriver into the soil to check for moisture depth.
Observe the grass in the early morning to see if it recovers overnight.
Inspect the soil surface for signs of compaction.

Likely causes

Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The grass blades look thin and folded, and they do not spring back when you walk on them. The soil feels dry and hard to the touch.
What to do: Water the lawn deeply to reach 6 inches into the soil. Aim for 1 inch of water per week, applied in one or two heavy sessions rather than daily light sprinkles.
Heat stress
Most likely
How to tell: The grass wilts during the hottest part of the afternoon even if the soil is moist. The color may shift from a deep green to a dull blue gray.
What to do: Avoid mowing during the heat of the day to reduce stress. Raise your mower blade height to 3 to 4 inches to shade the soil and keep roots cooler.

Drooping in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your kentucky bluegrass

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.

When to worry

It is normal for grass to wilt slightly on very hot afternoons. Worry if the grass stays limp and brown even after you water it thoroughly.

Stopping it coming back

Water deeply and infrequently to encourage roots to grow further down into the cooler soil layers.

Kentucky bluegrass: drooping? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your kentucky bluegrass 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I water my grass every day?: No, daily watering encourages shallow roots that make the grass more prone to drooping. Stick to a deep watering schedule of one or two sessions per week.
Does mowing height affect drooping?: Yes, keeping your grass cut too short exposes the soil to the sun and causes it to dry out faster. Keep your mower set to at least 3 inches.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why is my Kentucky bluegrass drooping?