Have you noticed that your cast iron plant has been drooping lately? It’s not the only one… Cast Iron plants are very popular in homes, offices, and other locations because of their beautiful leaves.

But sometimes they don’t look so great. What should you do if your cast iron plant is drooping? Read below for some solutions!

Why Is My Cast Iron Plant Drooping?

Your cast iron is drooping is because it has been given too much water. Cast iron plants are drought-tolerant, so never water the soil when it is damp if you don’t want the leaves to droop.

If you have been watering the plant often, then cut back on how often you do it. I tend to water my cast iron every 7-10 days in summer and every 14-28 days in winter.

A good rule of thumb is to water your cast iron when the soil dries out about an inch below the surface.

You can test the soil by sticking your finger in about an inch. If it is dry, then that means the plant needs water. You could also use a moisture meter, which will read the moisture level in the soil.

So what happens if you overwater your cast iron plant? Well, it will start to wilt and leaves may also turn yellow or brown, which is a sign of root rot.

Root rot is bad news because it will kill your plant quickly. If you notice that leaves are turning brown and falling off or if they seem to be rotting at their base, then take action immediately!

You need to remove all of the rotten roots to save your cast iron plant. Prune them with a pair of sterilized scissors or shears and then discard them away from all plants.

Once all of the dead or rotting roots have been removed, allow the roots to dry out, and then repot the plant into fresh soil that drains well.

And never overwater again! It’s best just stick with less water when possible because this type of plant does not need much throughout its life cycle.

Also, it’s best to only water your cast iron with filtered water that is at room temperature. When you water with cold or cool water, it can shock the roots in just one watering session!

Other Reasons for Droopiness

While overwatering is the most likely reason for drooping leaves, there are some other possible causes that we should mention. This list includes:

Temperature – Cast iron plants prefer a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you find that your plant is too hot or cold, then it may lead to drooping leaves and branches.

Lighting – Make sure the cast iron plant has at least four hours of bright sunlight per day for optimal growth. In some cases, the light may be inadequate so adding more grow lamps (Amazon link) would help!

Reality Check – Make sure your soil is rich enough in nutrients like phosphorus and potassium by having an expert check them out at your local garden center (or online).

Pests – Cast iron plants are vulnerable to pests like mealybugs and aphids. You need to get rid of these by using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or soap water for the best results!

Cast Iron Leaf Droopiness FAQ

There’s a chance you have some questions that have yet to be answered. As such, I will now address some of the most frequently asked questions about cast iron leaf droopiness.

Will droopy cast iron leaves stand tall again?

Yes, once you have fixed the issue (usually due to too much water), they should return to their upright position. This is great news!

Why is my cast iron plant drooping after I cut it back?

This is likely because it was stressed out and needs more light. Make sure they get at least four hours of sunlight in your location and see if that helps!

Why is my cast iron plant drooping in one area but not another?

Maybe only a certain area of the plant is receiving enough sunlight. Make sure to rotate it if that is the issue!

What does a drooping cast iron plant look like?

The leaves will start to fall off or hang down. It makes it look like the plant is sad! This is not what you expected to see when you decided to purchase a cast iron plant.

What time of year are you most likely to see leaf drop on a cast iron plant?

Winter is the most likely time to see droopy leaves on a cast iron plant. This is because most people tend to overwater in the winter months. The truth is that they need a lot less water in the winter, especially cast irons that are drought-tolerant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cast iron plant is drooping because it has been given too much water. To prevent the problem from reoccurring, cut back on how often you water them or use filtered room temperature water to avoid shocking their sensitive roots with cold or cool water!

If your cast iron plant still keeps on wilting even after cutting down watering sessions and time between each session, then take a look at its soil nutrients levels by having an expert check them out at your local garden center (or online).

And if that doesn’t work, then it may be a sign that there are pests on the plant, such as mealybugs and aphids. You need to get rid of these by using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or soap water for the best results!