Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves for small insects.
- Check if the plant has been moved to a new location recently.
- Verify that you are watering when the top inch of soil is dry.
Likely causes
Severe water stress
PossibleHow to tell: Leaves wilt and then fall off the stem. This occurs after long periods of drought followed by heavy watering.
What to do: Stick to a regular watering schedule every 5 to 10 days. Consistency is key to preventing the plant from going into shock.
Aphid infestation
PossibleHow to tell: You see small clusters of insects on the new growth or undersides of leaves. The leaves may look sticky or distorted before dropping.
What to do: Wipe the aphids off with a damp cloth or use a gentle insecticidal soap. Repeat the treatment every few days until the pests are gone.
Find out what's wrong with your sesame
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
When to worry
It is normal for a plant to drop a few leaves when adjusting to a new home. Worry if the plant is losing many leaves at once or if the stems look bare.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant in a stable, sunny location and check for pests regularly.
Keep your sesame 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
- Will my plant grow new leaves?
- Yes, if you fix the underlying issue, the plant should produce new growth. Give it a few weeks to recover in a stable environment.
- Should I fertilize a plant that is dropping leaves?
- No, wait until the plant stops dropping leaves and shows signs of new growth. Fertilizing a stressed plant can sometimes make the situation worse.
More problems with Sesame
- Why does my sesame plant have dark spots on its leaves?
- What are these tiny bugs on my sesame plant?
- Why is my sesame plant drooping?
- Why are my sesame plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my sesame plant's leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my sesame plant not flowering?
- How do I fix root rot in my sesame plant?
- Why is my sesame plant growing tall and leggy?
- Why are my sesame plant leaves curling?
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.