Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the soil to see if it is bone dry.
- Check if the pot feels unusually heavy from waterlogged soil.
- Examine the stems for any physical damage or pests.
Likely causes
Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The entire vine looks limp and the leaves feel soft. The soil will be dry and hard to the touch.
What to do: Give the plant a thorough watering until the soil is saturated. If the soil has become hydrophobic, soak the pot in a bucket of water for 30 minutes.
Root rot
PossibleHow to tell: The plant droops despite the soil being wet. You might notice a musty smell or mushy, dark roots if you inspect the root ball.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black or slimy roots. Repot into fresh, well draining soil and reduce your watering frequency.
Find out what's wrong with your japanese wisteria
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 during the hottest part of the day is normal if the plant perks back up by evening. Be concerned if the plant stays droopy all day and night.
Stopping it coming back
Ensure your wisteria is in a pot with excellent drainage and check the soil moisture every few days.
Japanese wisteria: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your japanese wisteria 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
- Will my plant recover after drooping?
- If the drooping is caused by thirst, it should perk up within a few hours of watering. If it is root rot, recovery takes longer and requires careful care.
- Does Japanese wisteria need support?
- Yes, wisteria is a vigorous climber and needs a sturdy trellis or arbor. If it is drooping because it has outgrown its support, it may need to be pruned or tied up.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Japanese wisteria
- Why is my Japanese wisteria not flowering?
- Why are there spots on my Japanese wisteria leaves?
- What are these pests on my Japanese wisteria?
- Why are my Japanese wisteria leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Japanese wisteria leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Japanese wisteria dropping leaves?
- Why is my Japanese wisteria suffering from root rot?
- Why is my Japanese wisteria growing so leggy?
Back to the Japanese wisteria 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.