Drought stress

also called Water stress, Drought

Wilting, leaf drop and premature autumn color when plants lose water faster than dry roots can supply it.

Disorder Serious Doesn't spread

What you'll see

Wilting and drooping that fails to recover overnight, in dry rather than wet soil
Leaf edges brown and crisp, and leaves may fall to cut losses
Early autumn tints and leaf fall well before the season
Flowers and buds dropping, and fruit staying small or failing to set
Lawns turning straw-brown and growth simply stalling

Why it happens

The plant loses more water through its leaves than the roots can draw from dry soil, so cells lose their firmness and it wilts. Held too long, the plant sheds leaves, flowers and fruit to survive, and fine feeding roots die back.

Hot, dry, windy spells are the obvious cause, but it is common too in the rain shadow of walls and eaves, under greedy hedges and trees, and in pots and new plantings whose roots have not yet spread. Free-draining sandy soils dry out fastest.

Treating it

Water thoroughly and deeply to wet the whole root zone, rather than a daily sprinkle
Rewet a bone-dry pot by standing it in a bucket until the bubbles stop
Mulch after watering to lock the moisture in
Move stressed pots into shade and shelter until they recover

Keeping it away

Improve soil with organic matter so it holds more water
Mulch beds in spring while the soil is still moist
Water new plantings well through their first year or two until established
Choose drought-tolerant plants for dry, sunny spots and group thirsty ones together

Who gets it

New plantings, containers, hydrangeas, birches and shallow-rooted crops such as celery and salads feel it first, while established Mediterranean plants cope well.