Underwatering: how to recognise and treat it

Growing conditions

Symptoms

Leaves wilt and droop; drooping even in the early morning is a typical sign of drought.
Brown, crispy leaf edges; flowers fade or drop quickly.
Older leaves at the base yellow and fall first.
In a long dry spell buds and leaves drop and shoots die back, starting with the parts furthest from the roots.
Overwatering and root diseases cause similar wilting — check that the soil is actually dry before watering.

Water slowly and thoroughly so the soil is moist deep down, about 15 cm in a bed.
In a pot, fill to the rim, let it soak in and repeat once, or until water runs from the drainage holes.
Dunk small dried-out pots in a bucket or tub of water.

Reference information, not a guarantee. Read and follow the label of any product: dose, safety and the days to wait before harvest.

Before watering, feel the soil with a finger about a third of the way down the pot, or a few centimetres down for houseplants; water only when it is dry there.
Water less often but thoroughly rather than a little every day.
Water early in the morning, when less water evaporates.
Mulch beds and borders with organic matter to keep moisture in the soil.
Pots dry out fastest in south- and west-facing spots and in terracotta; check them more often in warm, windy weather.
Newly planted shrubs and trees need extra watering for several years until their roots are established.

Figures checked against these sources.