Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the soil to see if it is dry or soggy.
- Check the pot for proper drainage holes.
- Feel the stems to see if they are firm or mushy.
Likely causes
Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels dry to the touch and the stems look limp. The plant usually perks up within a few hours of watering.
What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule of watering every 2 to 4 days to keep the soil consistently damp.
Root rot
PossibleHow to tell: The plant droops even when the soil is wet. The stems may look mushy or discolored near the soil line.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and check the roots for mushy, dark sections. Repot the plant into fresh, well draining soil and trim away any dead roots.
Find out what's wrong with your ragged robin
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 wilts every single day, it may be root bound or suffering from rot. If it perks up after watering, it is just thirsty.
Stopping it coming back
Check the soil moisture every 2 days. Use a pot with good drainage to prevent water from sitting at the roots.
Ragged Robin: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your ragged robin 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
- How much water does it need?
- Keep the soil damp like a wrung out sponge. Never let it sit in standing water.
- Does it need more sun?
- If it is drooping and the soil is damp, it might be getting too much direct heat. Move it to a spot with bright, indirect light.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Ragged Robin
- Why are there bugs on my Ragged Robin?
- What are these orange spots on my Ragged Robin?
- Why are my Ragged Robin leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Ragged Robin leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Ragged Robin not blooming?
- Why is my Ragged Robin suffering from root rot?
- Why is my Ragged Robin growing leggy?
- Why are my Ragged Robin leaves curling?
Back to the Ragged Robin 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.