Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the plant recovers once the sun goes down.
- Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
- Look at the base of the plant for any signs of rot.
Likely causes
Heat Stress
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves wilt during the hottest part of the day but perk back up in the evening. This is a normal reaction to high temperatures.
What to do: Provide some afternoon shade if the temperatures are consistently above 80 degrees. Ensure you are watering deeply every 2 to 4 days.
Root Damage
PossibleHow to tell: The plant stays wilted even at night or in the morning. This often indicates the roots have been damaged by pests or rot.
What to do: Check the roots for signs of maggots or mushy tissue. If the roots are destroyed, you will need to pull the plant and start over in a new area.
Find out what's wrong with your radish
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
It is serious if the plant stays wilted all night long. If it perks up when the sun goes down, it is just managing the heat.
Stopping it coming back
Plant your radishes in the cooler spring or fall seasons. Keep the soil evenly moist to help the plant handle temperature swings.
Keep your radish healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Do radishes need full sun?
- Yes, they love full sun, but they can get stressed in the peak of summer heat. If it is very hot, they might need a little shade.
- Will my drooping radish recover?
- If it is just thirsty, it will recover within a few hours of watering. If the roots are damaged, it likely will not recover.
More problems with Radish
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.