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Succulents react differently than other types of plants when they are too dry. Drooping succulent plants do occur, but there can be other signs of excessive dryness as well. If you see droopy leaves on a succulent, it means the soil has been so dry that you will need to take extra steps to help the plant get better.
As a proud succulent owner, few things are more worrying than walking over to your plant shelf and noticing your succulents look limp, droopy, and sad. Their normally plump, upright leaves have suddenly gone all floppy. What gives?
Succulents store water in their leaves, stems, and pads So droopy or mushy succulents are often a sure sign your plant is under-watered and severely dehydrated But other issues like overwatering, insufficient sunlight, pests, and diseases can also cause succulent leaves to go limp.
Don’t despair! In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore all the reasons your succulent might be drooping, wilting or showing signs of stress. And most importantly—how to bring it back to glowing good health. Let’s revive those rosette!
Top 10 Reasons Succulent Leaves Go Limp or Droop
Here are the most common causes of sad, drooping succulents and how to fix them:
1. Underwatering
Lack of water is the #1 reason succulent leaves droop and go limp. These plants store moisture in their leaves and stems. When the soil dries out completely, the plant can no longer quench its thirst and leaves start to shrivel.
How to Fix It:
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Water thoroughly until water drains from the drainage holes at the bottom. This ensures the soil is fully saturated.
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Mist limp leaves to provide additional moisture.
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If the roots shriveled from extreme dryness, water sparingly at first to allow them to recover.
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Adjust your watering schedule to prevent future underwatering.
2. Overwatering
While succulents hate being too dry, they also detest soggy soil. If you’ve overloved your plant with too much water, the roots may rot leading to no water uptake. Mushy black leaves can occur.
How to Fix It:
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Stop watering and allow the soil to fully dry out. Gently remove it from the pot to speed drying if needed.
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Cut away any black, mushy roots or leaves to stop the rot from spreading.
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Repot in fresh, dry soil and do not water until the succulent shows signs of thirst.
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Water only when the top few inches of soil have dried out to prevent future issues.
3. Insufficient Sunlight
Full sun is critical for succulents to thrive. Without adequate light, the leaves will gradually become stretched out and weak. Drooping occurs when the fleshy leaves can no longer support themselves upright.
How to Fix It:
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Move the plant to a sunnier location. South or west-facing windows are ideal indoors.
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Use a grow light to supplement natural sun if light is scarce in your home.
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Gradually introduce more sun over 7-10 days to prevent sunburn.
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Prune stretched-out growth and propagate the cutting to start a new compact plant.
4. Sunburn
Too much sun can also damage succulents. If moved to a hot location too quickly, the leaves can scorch, discolor or shrivel. Severe sunburn leads to cell damage, preventing water uptake. Leaves go limp as a result.
How to Fix It:
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Move the plant to a shadier spot out of direct sunlight immediately.
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Mist leaves gently to provide hydration without overwatering the roots.
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Damaged parts will not recover, but new growth may emerge if the roots are healthy.
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Acclimate the plant slowly next time, increasing sun exposure gradually over weeks.
5. Pests
Succulent-munching pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids can all cause leaves to weaken and wilt. These critters damage plant tissues while feeding.
How to Fix It:
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Isolate and inspect the plant closely, treating any visible pests.
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Prune off badly infested parts.
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Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap according to package instructions to kill remaining pests.
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Apply sticky traps or predatory insects for prevention.
6. Diseases
Fungal diseases, bacterial rot, and other pathogens can make succulent leaves turn mushy. Diseased parts are unable to hold moisture. The most common offenders are fungal root and stem rot.
How to Fix It:
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Isolate and inspect the plant, pruning off any affected parts immediately. Dip shears in rubbing alcohol between cuts.
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Improve airflow and stop excess moisture to prevent disease spread or recurrence.
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Use a fungicide if fungal disease is present.
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Repot in fresh soil and pot to aid recovery. Discard old diseased soil.
7. Poor Soil
Succulents need fast-draining soil that dries out quickly. Dense, clay-heavy potting mix will hold too much moisture, leading to rot. Without proper drainage, roots suffocate.
How to Fix It:
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Repot the plant in a gritty succulent/cacti soil blend. Add perlite or pumice to improve drainage.
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Make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent wet soil.
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If in a decorative pot without holes, use a nursery pot inside with drainage to prevent future issues.
8. Temperature Stress
Succulents prefer warm conditions around 70°F (21°C) or above. Chilly temps below 50°F (10°C) may damage sensitive plants. The leaves lose their plumpness and begin to droop or crisp as cells freeze and rupture.
How to Fix It:
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Move to a warmer location and provide heating sources during cold snaps. Avoid direct heat on leaves.
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Shield outdoor succulents from frost and bring sensitive varieties inside during winter dormancy.
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Damaged parts won’t recover but new growth may emerge when conditions improve.
9. Transplant Shock
Replanting or repotting succulents can cause trauma to the delicate roots. If mishandled, water uptake halts, and leaves go limp. Overwatering after transplanting is a common mistake.
How to Fix It:
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Allow the roots to rest and recover, waiting a week or two before watering after repotting.
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Handle new plants and cuttings very gently to prevent root damage.
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Water sparingly for a few weeks until it adjusts and starts growing.
10. Old Age
As succulents mature over years, lower leaves naturally shrivel and drop away. This is normal aging and the plant will continue thriving. Just focus care on the actively growing rosettes.
How to Fix It:
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Prune aging stems back to actively growing areas to encourage fresh growth.
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Propagate cuttings from the plant to start new infants.
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Provide extra sunlight as the plant ages to maintain vitality.
How To Prevent Drooping Succulents in the First Place
While limp leaves quickly grab your attention, the best approach is prevention. Here are some key tips to keep your succulents happy and upright:
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Choose the right potting mix – Fast-draining soil is critical. Go for cactus/succulent blend or make your own gritty mix.
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Provide maximum sun – South or west windows or outdoor placements work best. Use grow lights to supplement if needed.
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Water thoroughly then allow to dry – Saturate the soil fully, then wait until the top few inches are dry before watering again.
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Avoid temperature extremes – Keep indoor succulents between 60-80°F (15-26°C) for best results.
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Repot annually – Replenish soil nutrients and provide room for root growth with annual repotting.
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Watch for pests – Mealybugs, mites, and other pests can damage plants. Isolate and treat any issues immediately.
Emergency Care for Severely Drooping Succulents
If you catch the droop early, you can often revive succulents by simply providing water, sun, and proper care. But severely dehydrated or damaged plants need emergency care to recover.
Here’s what to do for a critically limp succulent:
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Remove from soil and inspect roots – Cut away any black or mushy roots. Healthy roots are firm and pale.
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Trim off dead leaves and stems – This concentrates the plant’s efforts on new growth.
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Mist leaves and soak roots for rehydration – Do this step 2-3 times over several days.
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Pot in fresh, dry succulent soil – Choose a gritty potting mix and do not water until it shows signs of new growth.
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Gradually introduce to sunlight – Start in shade and slowly increase light over 2 weeks to prevent sun shock.
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Stake or support limp stems – Use bamboo
What to Do for a Succulent with Droopy Leaves
If succulent leaves are drooping, the plant may need special attention. If a finger inserted into the soil detects no moisture, the problem is dryness. However, if it is wet, the problem may be something else.
Obviously, when dry, the soil needs moisture at the root level. If you just water the soil’s surface, it will only help plants with shallow roots stay moist. For those in smaller containers and with shallow root systems, it is best to soak the container. This will use capillary action to bring water to the roots and keep the stem from getting too wet, which could lead to rot.
First Signs of Overly Dry Succulents
One of the easiest groups of plants to grow are succulents. Wilting succulents are an expression of extreme dehydration. Droopy leaves on succulent specimens mean the soil has been dry as a bone for quite some time. These plants can tolerate long periods of drought, but they do need moisture to thrive. When succulent leaves are drooping, it is time to act.
Before you ever see wilting succulents, you can observe signs of a parched plant in its leaves. Succulents store moisture in their thick leaves or pads. When the plant is dried out, the leaves will pucker.
Other signs the plant is experiencing water stress are dropping leaves and changes in leaf color. When a plant has the right amount of water, its leaves will be thick and stand up straight or be firmly attached to its stems. You can judge plant health by gently pressing on the leaves. They should be firm yet gently yield.
The Main Reasons For Droopy Leaves In Succulents
FAQ
What does an overwatered succulent look like?
Why has my succulent gone droopy?
Why is my succulent flopping over?
How do you fix a leaning succulent?
Why is my succulent drooping?
The main reasons why a succulent is drooping are overwatering, freezing temperatures, underwatering, rotting. Other reasons for drooping succulents include pests and diseases and sudden temperature changes. Normal succulents should be plump, firm, not etiolated. Succulent leaves must also be plump, and not discolored or dry.
What are the causes of drooling?
Common causes of drooling like side sleeping, stomach sleeping, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, sinus infection, allergies, congestion, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and bell’s palsy.
Why are my succulent leaves dropping?
A sudden change in temperature, like moving your plant near a drafty window, can stress it out and cause leaves to drop. Always keep your succulents in a stable environment. One often-missed reason for leaf drop is pests. These little bugs can wreak havoc if not caught early. Check under the leaves or around the stem for any unwanted visitors.
What happens if you overwater a succulent?
When overwatered, succulents tend to look mushy or squishy. Touch the leaves; if they feel soft, it’s time to roll back the watering can! Have you ever seen leaves falling off for no obvious reason? That could be the water talking. To tackle this, first, stop watering immediately. Give your plant a break, like a vacation from hydration.
Why are my succulent leaves turning yellow?
Overwatering can be the culprit. When we give our succulent too much love, its roots drown, and the leaves turn yellow. It’s like giving someone way too many hugs! Try watering less and see if things improve. Lack of sunlight also makes leaves turn yellow.
How do you know if a succulent is dry?
Succulents store moisture in their thick leaves or pads. When the plant is dried out, the leaves will pucker. Other signs the plant is experiencing water stress are dropping leaves and changes in leaf color. A plant with the proper moisture levels will have chubby leaves that are held erect or firmly on stems.