Drooping plant - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have a drooping plant that has been well for the last 7 years but about 4 months ago started drooping and curling leaves. It is in the same ...
Knowledgebase
Drooping plant #892323
Asked February 05, 2025, 11:10 AM EST
Hello,
I have a drooping plant that has been well for the last 7 years but about 4 months ago started drooping and curling leaves. It is in the same location and I have been using the same type of water and watering it every 1-2 weeks. About 4 months ago the leaves started curling and turning yellowish. I have written to you before and they suggested transplanting it into a larger pot which I did 2 weeks ago but it isn't getting any better. Any suggestions?
Carver County Minnesota
Expert Response
The plant appears to be an Aglaonema, sometimes called Chinese evergreen. Many websites provide basic care recommendations.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aglaonema/
Root problems often account for drooping and dropping leaves. These problems are usually a result of too much or too little water. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to determine which to suspect because either one can cause the leaves to droop.
Too much water often leads to root rot, and leaves droop because the damaged roots are unable to provide water sufficient to support them. When the leaves begin to droop, folks often apply more water. This compounds the problem.
Potting soil that doesn't drain well and containers that sit in flooded cache pots or trays often lead to root rot.
However, based upon your watering practices, I think too little water in the long run is a more likely reason for the leaf droop.
Unless you are sure that's not the case, follow the recommendations at this website:
https://bloomscape.com/common-issue/why-are-the-leaves-on-my-aglaonema-limp-and-drooping/?srsltid=AfmBOoqRVLI8MJLkH4snSHnccncRwcVcOzj5c7jJllr248HbA7yjPq0R
Repotting every two or three years is recommended, so doing that was probably a good idea. However, if too much or too little water in the past accounts for the droop, it might take more time for the plant to recover. Some roots are usually disturbed or damaged during repotting so that might account for the slow recovery too.
Thorough watering is needed after repotting to fully moisten the new potting soil or medium.
Chinese evergreens are tough, resilient houseplants, so whatever steps you take to get to the "root" of the problem are likely to succeed.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aglaonema/
Root problems often account for drooping and dropping leaves. These problems are usually a result of too much or too little water. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to determine which to suspect because either one can cause the leaves to droop.
Too much water often leads to root rot, and leaves droop because the damaged roots are unable to provide water sufficient to support them. When the leaves begin to droop, folks often apply more water. This compounds the problem.
Potting soil that doesn't drain well and containers that sit in flooded cache pots or trays often lead to root rot.
However, based upon your watering practices, I think too little water in the long run is a more likely reason for the leaf droop.
Unless you are sure that's not the case, follow the recommendations at this website:
https://bloomscape.com/common-issue/why-are-the-leaves-on-my-aglaonema-limp-and-drooping/?srsltid=AfmBOoqRVLI8MJLkH4snSHnccncRwcVcOzj5c7jJllr248HbA7yjPq0R
Repotting every two or three years is recommended, so doing that was probably a good idea. However, if too much or too little water in the past accounts for the droop, it might take more time for the plant to recover. Some roots are usually disturbed or damaged during repotting so that might account for the slow recovery too.
Thorough watering is needed after repotting to fully moisten the new potting soil or medium.
Chinese evergreens are tough, resilient houseplants, so whatever steps you take to get to the "root" of the problem are likely to succeed.
