Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if the soil is dry to the touch.
- Look for any signs of digging or pests around the base of the stem.
- Ensure the plant is not being crushed by heavy winds or nearby objects.
Likely causes
Severe Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The entire plant looks limp and the leaves feel soft or wilted. This happens when the plant has gone too long without a deep soak.
What to do: Give the plant a deep watering immediately, ensuring the water penetrates at least 6 inches into the soil. It should perk up within a few hours.
Root Damage
PossibleHow to tell: The plant droops even when the soil is moist. This could be due to physical damage to the taproot or soil pests.
What to do: Check the base of the plant for any signs of digging or root disturbance. If the roots are damaged, provide extra shade and keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy while it recovers.
Find out what's wrong with your great mullein
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
Drooping is serious if the plant stays wilted even after a deep watering. It is normal for the plant to look slightly tired during the hottest part of a very sunny day.
Stopping it coming back
Ensure the plant is established in well draining soil and water deeply during dry spells.
Keep your great mullein 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 recover after drooping?
- Yes, if it is just thirsty, it will bounce back quickly after a good drink. If the roots are damaged, it may take a few weeks to show improvement.
- Does Mullein need a lot of water?
- It is drought tolerant once established, but it still needs a deep soak every 7 to 14 days during the growing season.
More problems with Great Mullein
- Why does my Great Mullein have white spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Great Mullein growing so tall and thin?
- Why is my Great Mullein not flowering?
- Why are the leaves on my Great Mullein turning yellow?
- Why are my Great Mullein's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why are there bugs on my Great Mullein?
- Why is my Great Mullein wilting?
- Why are my Great Mullein leaves curling?
Back to the Great Mullein guide
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.