15 Reasons your Orchid Leaves are Drooping (with Fixes)

Orchids are so beautiful and when you’ve got one that is blooming and looking great there’s nothing better. But it’s disappointing when your orchids leaves start drooping.

The reasons for your orchid drooping leaves can be many things. So identifying which one is the cause for yours is important to actually fix it.

But I’ve had years of growing my own orchids so I feel like I’m in a good position to help you figure out why your leaves are drooping and how to fix it. This guide will get into the main reasons behind this common problem and how to deal with them.

1. Overwatering

Probably the most likely cause of drooping orchid leaves is overwatering. Orchids are used to environments where their roots get a lot of air but not much moisture. So too much watering can cause root rot, which will stop them from taking in the nutrients they need and eventually cause the leaves to droop.

Signs of Overwatering

• Yellowing leaves
• Mushy or black roots
• A musty smell from the potting medium

Solution

Let the potting medium dry between each time your water. Make sure your orchid has a potting mix that drains well (bark chips is good).

Having enough drainage holes in the pot is very important too. And only water the orchid when you feel the top inch of the medium is dry.

2. Underwatering

Overwatering is probably more common but underwatering is a problem too. Orchids need consistent moisture to really do well.

So when they don’t get enough they begin to take that moisture from their leaves, which will make the leaves droop and look limp.

Signs of Underwatering

• Wrinkled or shriveled leaves
• Dry, brittle roots
• Brown tips of leaves

Solution

Stick to a schedule for when your water but do it based on how humid your home is and the temperature. Orchids will need more watering when it’s warmer in the spring and summer.

And make sure you’re water in thoroughly and letting any excess water drain away so your orchid doesn’t sit in it afterwards (could also cause root rot).

3. Not Enough Light

Orchids need a good amount of light. If they don’t get enough it will stop them from photosynthesising fully and that will cause the leaves to be weaker and droop.

Signs of Lack of Light

• Dark green leaves
• Slow growth
• Not blooming

Solution

Put your orchid somewhere that gets bright and indirect light. An easy facing window is usually best for orchids.

If you can’t give your orchid enough natural light then you could also use a grow light to help it out.

4. Temperature Extremes

Orchids don’t like extreme temperatures. If they get exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures then it can stress them out and that in turn can lead to drooping leaves.

Signs of Temperature Stress

• Leaves turning yellow or getting black spots
• Bud blast (early dropping of buds)
• Wilting plant

Solution

Keep your orchid at a stable temperature. Most orchids like daytime temperatures between 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C) and nighttime temperatures around 60°F (16°C). You can help them to by not putting them near heaters, air conditioners or crafty windows and spots.

5. Humidity Levels

Orchids do best with moderate to high humidity. Low humidity can cause the leaves to droop.

Signs of Low Humidity

• The edges of the leaves turning crispy
• Slow growth
• Flower buds not opening

Solution

Increase the humidity around your orchid. You can do this by putting a humidity tray under it. Or use a humidifier which also works well.

A natural solution is to simply put any plants you have together. They naturally increase the humidity for each other just by being in a group.

You should be aiming for humidity levels of between 50 to 70% to really see your orchid do well.

6. Nutrient Deficiencies

If your orchid isn’t getting the nutrients it needs it can make it weaker and cause it’s leaves to droop. They need a good supply of nutrients to do well.

Signs of Nutrient Deficiency

• Pale or yellow leaves
• Poor growth
• Less flowers

Solution

Use a balanced fertilizer that is designed for orchids. Dilute it to half the recommended strength and give some to your orchid every two weeks during the growing season. Don’t over fertilize though as it will damage your orchid.

7. Pests and Diseases

Pests like mealybugs, aphids and spider mites can affect orchids. Diseases like fungal infections can also really drain your orchid of its strength. This will show up as drooping leaves.

Signs of Pest Infestation

• Residue on the leaves
• Webs or insects you can see
• Deformed leaves

Solution

Look at your orchids regularly to check for any signs of pests. If you find any then quickly remove the plant from any others so the pests don’t have a chance to spread.

Then treat the affected orchid with insecticidal soap or neem oil. If you’ve got a fungal infection then remove then affected areas and use a fungicide.

8. Potting Medium Breakdown

Orchid potting medium isn’t like regular soil. It’s usually made up of bark, sphagnum moss or something similar as these materials let the air flow to the roots.

Over time the medium can start to break down. It will become waterlogged and contacted and this stops the air from flowing properly. And this causes the roots to rot and, ultimately, drooping leaves.

Signs of Medium Breakdown

• Potting mix that is compacted or soggy
• Roots look mushy or dark
• Drainage water looks dirty

Solution

Repot your orchid every 1 to 2 years. This refreshes the potting mix and give the roots a healthy environment.

So use an a mix that specific for orchids, like bark or coconut husk. And don’t use soil.

Always repot in a container that has good drainage. Keep an eye on the medium for signs of wear too.

9. Lack of Air Circulation

In nature orchids grow on trees and have lots of fresh air around their roots. When we grow them indoors where they don’t have particularly good air flow they can struggle and get stressed. Which leads to the drooping leaves.

They need gentle airflow to stay healthy and fight off any potential fungal issues.

Signs of Poor Air Circulation

• Leaves or roots constantly damp
• Increased risk of mold or fungus
• Droopy leaves

Solution

Put a small fan near your orchid (on a low setting!) so it gets the air moving around it. This is especially helpful if your orchids are in an area without much natural airflow.

Just be careful not to aim the fan directly at your orchid as you can dry it out.

10. Repotting Shock

Orchids are sensitive to any changes. After you repot them they sometimes experience “repotting shock” which is where the plant struggles to adjust to its new environment. Which in turn can lead to drooping leaves. This is quite likely if you accidentally disturbed the roots whilst you were repotting it.

Signs of Repotting Shock

• Leaves droop soon after being repotting
• Growth slows
• Roots look stressed or slightly damaged

Solution

Be very gentle when you’re repotting your orchid. Do your best not to disturb the roots any more than is necessary.

Once you’ve repotted it put your orchid somewhere it will get consistent humidity and the right amount of indirect light. Then give it a week or two before you water it so it isn’t stressed any further.

11. Root Bound Orchids

Orchids can become root bound in their pots. Especially if they’re a bit older and had time to grow. Being root bound is where the roots are too crowded and become tangled.

It’s a problem because it stops the air from flowing around the roots properly and also means they don’t absorb water well. This stresses the plant and causes the leaves to droop.

Signs of Root-Bound Orchids

• Roots are too crowded and are spilling out of the pot
• The water flows too quickly through the pot when you’re watering
• Orchid cant hold a stable position

Solution

If you’ve found your orchid is root bound then it needs to be moved to a slightly larger pot. It’s simple to do: just gently untangle the roots if you can and then trim any of the dead or damaged sections. Be careful not to go to a pot that’s too big as orchids like to be quite snug in their container.

12. Seasonal Changes

Orchids have natural cycles and may react to seasonal changes in the temperature, light and humidity by getting rid of some of their leaves. So some drooping may be a normal part of that natural cycle.

Signs of Seasonal Drooping

• Leaves drooping or falling off around the same time each year
• Orchid healthy otherwise
• Flowering slows or stops temporarily

Solution

Keep an eye on your orchids cycle so you can understand if it’s normal for it. When your orchid is dormant water and fertilize it less. Chances are it will perk up again as it goes into its next growth phase.

13. Root Damage

If you’ve damaged the roots from being rough with your orchid, pests have done harm to them or you’ve watered your orchid wrongly it can also cause drooping.

If the roots are damaged they can’t absorb water and nutrients, which will make the leaves droop.

Signs of Root Damage

• Roots look shrivelled
• Plant feels loose in its pot
• Growth stops or leaves look dull

Solution

Look at the roots regularly and trim any damaged parts. Repot the orchid if necessary and give it a stable environment to help with root recovery.

14. Age of the Orchid

As your orchid ages it’s not uncommon for the older leaves to droop or even fall off to make way for new ones to grow. This is a completely natural part of an orchid’s life cycle, especially in older plants.

Signs of Natural Aging

• Lower leaves droop or turn yellow while the new leaves grow from the top
• Roots and plant look healthy
• No signs of disease or stress

Solution

If your orchid is just getting older and maturing you can allow nature to take its course. Carefully remove the old, yellow leaves once they are loose but don’t force them off before they are ready.

15. Genetic Factors

Some orchid varieties, because of their genetics, are just more prone to getting droopy leaves. Species like Cymbidium and Oncidium have a pattern of leaves that look droopy but it’s actually totally normal for them.

Signs of Genetics Factors

• Leaves droop but appear healthy
• Drooping is consistent throughout the plant’s life
• Plant shows no signs of stress

Solution

If your orchid variety naturally has leaves that are more relaxed then don’t worry. Just enjoy its beauty and give it the right care.

So now we’ve covered the 15 main reasons why your orchid leaves might be drooping, along with the solutions for how to deal with each issue. Orchids can be sensitive but with a little extra attention they can recover and continue to be healthy.

To finish things up this is a quick table summarizing the main causes and suggested actions: