Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the soil surface to see if it is dry.
- Check if the pot is sitting in a tray of water.
- Inspect the stems for signs of physical damage.
Likely causes
Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the stems have lost their turgidity. Leaves may also look slightly dull or shriveled.
What to do: Submerge the pot in a basin of water for an hour to rehydrate the root ball. Ensure the soil stays consistently wet or even partially submerged in a tray of water moving forward.
Heat Stress
PossibleHow to tell: The plant droops during the hottest part of the day even if the soil is damp. The leaves might feel warm to the touch.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with partial shade during the afternoon. Increase the water level in the container to help the plant regulate its temperature.
Find out what's wrong with your lizard's tail
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 perk up within a few hours of deep watering, the roots may have suffered permanent damage. Normal wilting is rare for this species unless it is neglected.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the pot sitting in a shallow tray of water at all times to ensure the soil never dries out.
Lizard's tail: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lizard's tail 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 leave my Lizard's tail in standing water?
- Yes, this plant is a marginal aquatic species and thrives when its roots are constantly submerged.
- Will the leaves recover after drooping?
- Usually, yes. Once the plant is rehydrated, the stems and leaves will firm up again within a few hours.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Lizard's tail
Back to the Lizard's tail 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.