Under-watering
Thin, limp, papery leaves and a light container, with dry medium pulling away from the sides. Water slowly in stages.
Symptoms
- Thin, limp, papery leaves.
- Container feels light; medium is dry and pulling away from the sides.
- Water runs straight through without soaking in.
Quick checks
How to fix it
- 1Physical
Water slowly in stages
Water a little, wait, then water again so it soaks in rather than running through, until you get around 10–20% run-off.
- 2Prevention
Water a little more often
Use the lift test every day. In coco, keep it evenly moist and never let it dry out completely.
- 3Support
Help it recover
Stress can help the plant cope with under-watering stress. Monkey Mist, in growth and early flower, can help the plant bounce back from drought.
Likely causes
- Watering too little or too infrequently.
- Heat increasing water use.
- Very dry air.
- Coco left to dry out completely.
What to avoid
- Don't flood a bone-dry container in one go.
- Don't spray maturing flowers.
Prevention
- Lift test daily, more often in heatwaves.
- Keep humidity in range.
Monkey products that can help

Stress
Monkey say silicon helps the plant keep its shape under drought and manage under-watering stress. Can help, not cure.
2 ml per 10 L every week. Always add it to the water first and mix thoroughly before adding anything else.
View product →
Monkey Mist
Monkey say it helps plants bounce back from heat, drought or pest pressure. Growth and early flower only; never on maturing flowers.
Ready to use, no mixing. Mist evenly over the tops of the leaves in propagation, growth and early flower only. Safe with the lights on. Never spray maturing flowers.
View product →Products support a healthy plant. They don't replace fixing the cause.
When to get help
If leaves stay limp a day after a thorough watering, check the roots, or email info@monkeynutrients.co.uk.
Email info@monkeynutrients.co.ukRelated problems
Advice is general guidance from Monkey Nutrients and UK horticultural sources. Always read product labels.
