Transplant shock
A plant sulks after a move or repotting while it grows new roots.
What you'll see
- Leaves wilt or droop in the days after repotting or planting out, even in moist soil.
- Growth stalls for a few weeks.
- A few leaves may yellow or drop as the plant adjusts.
Why it happens
Roots are lost or disturbed in the move, so the plant can't take up enough water while it settles in.
How to fix it
- Water thoroughly right after planting so the soil settles around the roots.
- Keep the root zone evenly moist but not soggy until new growth appears.
- Shelter it from strong sun and wind for a few days.
- Wait 2 to 4 weeks before feeding, while new roots grow.
Keep it from coming back
- Harden off seedlings over 1 to 2 weeks before planting them out.
- Water plants well before moving them, and disturb the roots as little as you can.
- Avoid moving plants on hot or windy days.
Read more
- When and how to repot a plant
- How to save a dying plant
- Rooting cuttings: water or soil?
- Hardening off seedlings
Sources
- University of Maryland Extension: Hardening off vegetable seedlings for the home garden
- RHS: Vegetables: transplanting
- Montana State University Extension: How do I repot a houseplant?
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.