Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the soil surface to see if it is dry.
- Check if the water tray under the pot is empty.
- Move the plant to a shadier spot if temperatures are above 85 degrees.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the stems look limp.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until the soil is saturated. Keep the pot sitting in a shallow tray of water to ensure the soil stays consistently wet.
Heat stress
PossibleHow to tell: The plant wilts during the hottest part of the day but perks up at night.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with partial shade during the afternoon. Ensure the water level in the tray is topped up to keep the roots cool.
Find out what's wrong with your lesser spearwort
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 recover within a few hours of watering, the roots may have suffered permanent damage from drying out.
Stopping it coming back
Never let the soil surface dry out, and keep the plant in a tray of water at all times.
Lesser spearwort: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lesser spearwort 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
- Can I let the soil dry out slightly?
- No, this plant thrives in boggy conditions. It should always be kept moist or waterlogged.
- Will my plant recover?
- Yes, if you catch the drooping early, it will usually bounce back within an hour of being watered.
Guides to these causes
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Back to the Lesser spearwort 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.