Tomatoes are pretty easy to grow well, as long as you’re prepared to notice quickly if something is wrong. As well as pests and diseases, tomato yield and quality can be affected by nutrient deficiencies, irregular watering, poor pollination and many other issues. This article will cover the main causes of wilting or drooping in tomato plants, and guide you on the road to plant recovery! Tomato plants can wilt and droop for many reasons. Some are more serious issues caused by disease, while others are absolutely nothing to worry about.
Tomato plants are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in home gardens. But nothing is more frustrating than seeing your healthy tomato plant suddenly wilt and die. The good news is that wilting doesn’t necessarily mean your plant is doomed. There are several common causes of sudden tomato plant wilting and, in many cases, you can revive the plant with the proper care.
In this article, we’ll explore the 9 most common reasons for sudden wilting of tomato plants and how to fix them. With the right solutions, your tomato plant can bounce back quickly and deliver a bountiful harvest.
9 Common Causes of Sudden Wilting in Tomato Plants
1. Underwatering
Insufficient water is one of the most common triggers of wilting in tomato plants. Tomato plants need around 1-2 inches of water per week. When the soil dries out, the plant is unable to uptake enough moisture through the roots This causes the leaves and stems to droop and wilt.
The fix is simple – thoroughly soak the soil around the plant. The plant should perk back up within a few hours Going forward, check soil moisture daily and water immediately when the top few inches become dry
2. Overwatering
While under-watering causes wilting, so can overwatering. Excess moisture prevents the roots from getting sufficient oxygen. It also leads to root rot and damaged root hairs. With compromised roots, the plant is unable to absorb water effectively. The leaves wilt in response.
Allow the soil to completely dry out before watering again. Hopefully, your plant will recover on its own. If not, you may have to remove it from the soggy soil, trim off rotted roots, and re-plant it in well-draining soil.
3. Transplant Shock
Tomato plants are sensitive to disturbances in their environment. Transplanting seedlings from indoors to outdoors or re-potting can shock the plant, causing transient wilting. Avoid changing other conditions like light, temperature, and watering pattern to minimize stress. The plant should adjust in 1-2 weeks.
4. Cold Weather
Tomato plants thrive in warm weather. Temperatures below 50°F can cause young plants to wilt. Monitor weather forecasts and provide protection if cold nights are expected. Mature plants exposed to frost will also wilt and collapse.
5. Diseases
Several harmful tomato diseases can lead to sudden wilting:
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Tomato spotted wilt virus – Causes bronzing and yellow spots on leaves followed by wilting. Remove and destroy affected plants immediately. Control thrips to prevent spread.
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Fusarium and Verticillium wilt – Fungal diseases that clog water transporting vessels, preventing water movement within the plant. Unfortunately, no cure exists. Uproot and dispose of diseased plants. Opt for resistant varieties in the future.
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Bacterial wilt – Caused by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum. Look for slime oozing from cut stems. No cure available. Practice crop rotation.
6. Pests
Tomato pests like the stalk borer caterpillar and root knot nematodes impair the plant’s ability to uptake and transport water, leading to wilting. Monitor for signs of infestation. Remove heavily infested plants.
7. Walnut Tree Toxicity
The juglone toxin released by walnut tree roots can wilt and kill tomato plants. Always plant tomatoes at least 20-25 ft away from the dripline of walnut trees. Container growing is an option for small spaces.
8. Bad Companion Plants
Some plants release substances that are toxic to tomatoes planted nearby. For instance, tomatoes planted too close to walnuts may absorb the juglone toxin through the soil and wilt. Relocate tomatoes immediately if suspected.
9. Insufficient Light
Tomatoes need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for robust growth. Insufficient light due to overcrowding or shading can starve the plant of energy, causing wilting. Move plants to sunnier spots.
Reviving a Wilted Tomato Plant
When you notice tomato plant wilting, take quick action to identify and rectify the underlying issue before the damage becomes irreversible. Begin by examining the entire plant and checking the underside of leaves for pests.
Check soil moisture using your finger. Look for slime oozing from cut stems, which indicates bacterial wilt. Inspect surrounding plants for signs of disease spread or shared stress factors like insufficient light.
Once the cause is found, take corrective steps immediately. Water thoroughly if the soil is dry or move the plant to a sunnier location if needed. Be prepared to remove diseased or pest-infested plants to prevent further damage.
With quick diagnosis and treatment, your tomato plants can make a full recovery. But don’t wait too long, or the wilting could become fatal! Pay close attention and take proactive care of your tomato crop for best results.
What are the main causes for wilted tomato leaves?
- Root damage during transplanting. If you did not use the entire root bundle when transplanting, but instead dug up the plant from a growing container, some of the secondary roots were likely lost. The reduced root system means there’s less capture area for water to get into the plant system. This problem can fix itself in a few days, and you should notice the plant improving day by day.
- Sun stress. Sun stress occurs when the plants have not been hardened. Many people find their recently transplanted plants to be droopy after their first day out in the sun. Hardening is the process of getting your plant used to the sun, by placing the container in the sun for a few hours each day before transplanting.
- Watering inconsistencies. Another reason could be that after transplanting, you water with the same amount of water you did before. The soil is likely drying out a lot quicker due to the heat of the sun and the outdoor environment. Therefore your tomatoes, or your plant, does not have access to sufficient water. More on watering inconsistencies below.
- Insufficient pollination. Consider how easy it is for pollinating insects to reach your crops. Tomatoes are self-fertile, which means each flower can pollinate itself. Nevertheless, the presence of bees and/or wind dramatically improves pollination by nudging the flowers just enough to help dislodge the pollen from the stamens. If you are growing tomatoes in a greenhouse or polytunnel, it may be worth opening up the doors and vents to allow bees to get in, but this will also help create a good through-flow of air, keeping your plants cooler and reducing the risk of disease.
- Excessive heat. Excessive heat can cause of wilting and curling tomato leaves. Heat can cause tomato leaves to curl up as a way of reducing the surface area exposed to the sun, which helps to minimise the amount of moisture lost through the foliage. While watering may seem like the obvious fix to a plant that has had too much sun, it could actually do more harm than good. Once a heatwave passes, the problem should fix itself so do not water your tomatoes excessively. In prolonged periods of hot weather, it’s best to use shade cloth to help keep the plant from dropping its flowers and stop the leaves from curling.
- Over-pruning. Not every gardener chooses to prune their tomato plants, but if you do – make sure you’re not over-doing it! Going OTT with the pruning results in stress – causing the leaves to curl. As mentioned above, tomato plants are susceptible to heat damage, and constantly cutting back the plant will expose it to the sun. Focus on pinching off the suckers between the main and lateral stems rather than cutting back the entire plant. If you have over-pruned your tomato plant and it is now stressed – simply leave it alone and the stress will resolve itself.
More information on watering inconsistencies.
- Under-watering: If you notice a droop, and thin, dry, paper leaves, then the droop is likely due to under-watering. To confirm, check to see if the soil is dry 1-2 inches below the surface. If it is – give it some water! Under-watering often happens if you are growing a new variety of planting in a new environment, or new soil. As long as under-watering isn’t a regular occurrence you should be fine!
- Over-watering: Your plants can also droop if there is too much water. In this case, the leaves would appear droopy but completely hydrated, not dry or paper-like. Again, check the soil – if it’s wet to the touch an inch or two below the surface, allow it to dry out.
You can easily avoid under and over watering by using one of our WaterMate products. The WaterMate waters for you, using a combination of timer and environmental data to give your plants the right amount of irrigation – no more super dry or super soggy plants! Out with the watering can and in with the hose, nozzles and drippers. WaterMate comes in two ready-to-fit kits, the Mini for small greenhouses, and the Pro for larger greenhouses and polytunnels. Both of our WaterMate products can also be used across your garden, flower beds and pots too if you prefer!
Why Are My Tomato Plants DYING? Managing Tomato Wilt Disease
FAQ
Why has my tomato plant suddenly wilted?
A sudden wilting in your tomato plant could be due to a few common issues. The most likely culprits are insufficient watering, fungal diseases like Verticillium wilt or Fusarium wilt, or even something as simple as transplant shock.
Why are my tomato plant leaves curling up and drooping?
Excessive moisture and nitrogen, insufficient phosphorus, heat, drought, severe pruning, root damage from tilling or hoeing, early planting, and transplant …
What does a stressed tomato plant look like?
If leaves curl, it’s probably because they’re too thirsty. Underwatered tomatoes will be droopy, stressed, and wilted, and may have curling leaves. Overall, a lack of water leads to stunted growth, blossom drop, and dying foliage. Usually, you can catch this issue before anything extreme happens.