Why Are My Vegetable Plants Wilting? Common Causes and Fixes

There is nothing more frustrating than seeing a healthy vegetable plant start wilting. If your plants also start wilting, then don’t worry; we have a solution.

There are different reasons for your vegetable plants to wilt, such as overwatering, underwatering, environmental stress, issues with roots, pests, and diseases, are pretty common. Almost all of them are restorable and treatable if you start caring as early as possible.

You are not alone if your plants started wilting; I have been there, and now let me tell you what I did to save my plants. So, without wasting any time, let’s get to it.

What is Wilting

Wilting refers to the drooping of a plant’s stems and leaves. This usually cause by thirst, means that your plant is very thirsty and doesn’t required amount of water. Other then that wilting usually occurs when the plant is stressed out, has diseases, or has a problem with watering practices.

Types of Wilting

There are two types of wilting,

Temporary Wilting

Temporary wilting usually happens on hot days when the temperature is too high, and the plant loses all its water. But when the temperature cools down, the plant will rehydrate again. Temporary wilting is common in almost every plant, and you don’t need to worry about it.

Permanent Wilting

Permanent wilting usually happens due to issues with your plant or its surroundings. It’s dangerous, and if not treated, it can kill your plant. But don’t worry, it’s reversible and treatable.

The guide below only talks about permanent wilting, what is causing it, and how to treat it and prevent it from happening again.

Why are My Vegetable Plants Wilting:

Wilting is a pretty common problem of plants and, just like you, a lot of my vegetable plants wilted, and some of them even died before I had to do something about it. But then I did some research and talked to some experts, about how to handle it and after sometime, none of my vegetable plants got wilted and it if did then I recover it very fast. Now, I know how to prevent it, and allow me me share my knowledge and expertise with you.

Primary Causes of Wilting in Vegetables:

There are different causes of wilting in plants in which any one could be a reason of your vegetable plant wilting. Let me explain everything in detail and you should follow along to match symptoms of your vegetable plants with symptom mentioned here, and If it matches, then follow its recommended solution. So, let’s hop in.

Watering Related Issues

There are three watering issues, which are,

Underwatering:

One of the main reason of wilting in vegetable plant is underwatering, and its symptom its dry soil, its leaves start wilting, turning yellow and also become brittle.

Solution:

The solution is simple and easy; just provide consistent watering to your vegetable plants according to their needs.

Overwatering:

The next common reason for wilting in vegetable plants is overwatering. Yes overwatering is also causing wilting in vegetable plant. Its common symptoms include soggy soil and leaves wilting and turning yellow.

Solution:

As a solution for overwatering I usually says that improve the drainage of your soil of your vegetable plants. You can do that by adding organic matter. Alternatively, limit your water intake and only add water to your vegetable when its soil becomes dry or depended on specific needs .

Drought Stress:

Another watering issues include, drought stress which mean that your vegetable plant doesn’t get enough water for its growth and its stress out the plants by wilting its leaves and stem.

Solution:

If your vegetable plants face drought, mulch the soil around your plants to retain moisture and reduce evaporation. Most importantly, add proper watering to your vegetables according to their needs, not less, not too much, just what they need.

Related: How to Care for Cauliflower Plant

Soil and Root Problems

Another common reason for wilting is problems with the soil and roots of vegetable plants.

Poor Drainage and compact soil

Both compact soil and poor drainage are the reasons for vegetable plants’ wilting. Let me explain; poor drainage has already been discussed, which causes waterlogging and different problems in which wilting is common.

While compact soil, which makes absorbing water hard and thus leaves too little water for the plant, and eventually, the vegetable plant starts to wilt.

Solution:

Well for solution you just need to use well drain soil which allow the excessive water to escape and doesn’t cause waterlogging. For compact soil, you should use raised beds where the soil is mostly loose and well-mixed, which will help you immensely against wilting.

Root Damages and Diseases

Roots of vegetable plants can become damage by different diseases that usually cause by nematoes and fungus etc. Diseases like root rot are one of the main reasons for wilting in vegetable plants.

Solution:

For solution you first need to treat the soil for fungus and nematodes, other then that rotate the crop annually or just use diseases resistant verities.

Environmental Stressors

As we already discus it that caused by stress in which environmental stress is pretty common. It comes in different types, which are mentioned and explained below.

Heat stress

Will it be the most common reason for vegetable plant wilting. The sun’s heat usually causes temporary writing, which can be easily reversible, but too much sun can cause serious damage to your plants.

Solution:

The solution is simple, provide cover and shade for your vegetable plants in peak hours to protect them from extreme heat. Move it to a shaded area for protection if it’s in a container.

Transplant Shock

This type of plant wilting is also common, and you might notice it yourself. The transplanting shock happens when you move or transplant any plant to another area, and that also causes wilting, but don’t worry; it is normal, and it will recover after some time.

Solution:

When transplanting any plant, just do it at the proper times and seasons. Mostly, people transplant plants in the spring season or at the end of summer.

Wind Damage

If you live in a windy area, then you will know that strong wind can cause witling in your vegetable plants, but it’s also temporary, and your plants will come to their actual shape after some time.

Solution:

If the wind is too strong or you live in an area where there is wind all day, then you should consider using fences or shrubbery as windbreakers and keep your plants protected.

Pest and Diseases

Wilting can also be caused by diseases and pest attacks on your vegetable plants.

Fungal Diseases

Different diseases like verticillium wilt and fusarium wilt can wilt plants, especially vegetable plants, by blocking the water transport within the plants. These diseases are treatable if you take proper action on time.

Solution:

First of all, practice crop rotation. After that, use disease resistance varieties.

Insects Attacks

Insects like spider mites and aphids are common pests that like to feed on plants’ sap, which can become the reason for wilting, and if not treated, then it can also kill your vegetable plant. Some of the pests are common, but each vegetable has its pests and insects, so you should know about your vegetable pests.

Solution:

Whenever your vegetable plants start wilting, just first check for signs of pests and what kind of insects are causing it. Then, get pesticides according to the insects and spray on them in the required amount.

Conclusion

Wilting is a common problem of any garden which is why you need to know what causing it and how to prevent it from happening. After learning the reason for this, it will be easy for you to treat any vegetable plants.

I hope you understand the topic, but if you still have any queries or questions, please ask them in the comment section.