5 Reasons Why My Angelonia is Wilting [360 Degree Solution]

Your Angelonia is supposed to bloom with lush foliage throughout the entire time of late spring until fall. Surely, the vibrant splash of blooms and green leaves amaze your eyes until you discover your Angelonia plant is wilting.

Well, ornamental plants are not that tough to grow only when you ensure the best environment for them. Yet, some exceptional situations might take place causing wilting, browning, or dying of plants.

Hence, your Angelonia plants might also go through such situations. And as a result, wilting is occurring.

Now, what could be the possible reasons? Well, the main reason is the drought stress of Angelonia. It is the result of under-watering. So, the actual causes are improper watering, lack of light, high temperatures, soil fertility, rootbound, pest and diseases, and more.

Let’s dig into the detail.

Angelonia Wilting -Causes and Solution

1. Improper Watering

Under-Watering – Drought Stress

The main reason why your Angelonia plants are going through drought stress is the lower level of moisture in the soil. Soil water is highly responsible for leading a plant to wilt. Dry soil can wilt the plant gradually and finally, the plant dies.

Many new gardeners do not know that Angelonia thrives best when the moisture content in soil is consistent and constant.

Signs

• Dry soil
• Dead leaf tips
• Wilting
• Slow Growth

Over-Watering – Yellowing

Nonetheless, you should also keep in mind that Angelonia plants are not fans of soggy soil at all. Soggy soil might react adversely to your plant and can also be a reason for wilting of the plant. Yellowing of the leaves gradually, overwatering causes wilting of leaves as well.

Moreover, waterlogged conditions and overwatering make the leaves look soft and floppy. It also affects the roots by rotting them. Thus, stunting of plant growth takes place.

Signs

•  Yellowing of lower leaves
• Wilted plant
• Zero new growth
• Green soil
• Browning of young leaves

Control Measure

• To water any plant, it is important to check out the soil moisture first. Thus, get a moisture meter and determine the moisture content (our pick: XLUX Soil Moisture Meter) However, you can also apply the two-finger test to determine this.
• Now, if the device shows a lower rate, then your Angelonia must need water. Again, if you feel the topsoil is bone dry by the two-finger test then water the plant as well.
• Generally, the Angelonia plant requires to be watered three or four times a week till it manages to establish the root system.
• When Angelonia has a strong root system, reduce the watering level otherwise, a waterlogged situation might take place. Also, by this time Angelonia plant becomes fairly tolerant to drought.

Nonetheless, the frequency of watering Angelonia should be dependent on the dryness of the top 2-inch soil.

2. Excessive or Insufficient Light

The hot summer sun is highly responsible for wilting of plants. Even Angelonia cannot escape this though this plant is a worshipper of the sun. The sunlight of summer midday can scald or burn the leaves at the same time wilting them.

Generally, dry conditions along with high temperatures are responsible for this situation. Again, Angelonia requires a certain amount of sunlight to live and thrive consistently.

Hence, with any disruption in this amount, the plant fails to grow and instead shows wilting symptoms. Moreover, insufficient light causes leaf drops as well.

However, you may discover your Angelonia plant is growing tall but in an unhealthy way. It is simply because the plant is searching for sunlight. The taller it grows the more pressure falls on the stem. Thus, it cannot support the plant.

Therefore, the plant Angelonia starts to slow its growth again, and consequently, the leaves appear abnormally small.  

Signs

• Leaf burning and wilting
• Looks brown and yellow
• Small leaves
• Leggy and stretched growth

Control Measure

To control too much sunlight-

• Use shed covers to reduce the heat of the sunlight.
• You can also use overhead sprinklers or misters to keep the Angelonia plant always hydrated.
• If your Angelonia plants are planted in containers, take them indoors to protect them from long periods of sunlight.

To control too little sunlight-

• Plant the Angelonia plants in a place in your garden where they will get direct sunlight for 6 to 8 hours. Partial-shed is also okay.
• You can also use grow lights if there is almost zero light where you have already planted your Angelonia.

However, make sure you don’t replace the plant from deep shade straight to a sunny place. It might stress the plant.

3. Higher Temperature

Actually, higher temperatures are the main reasons for wilting of any plants. Angelonia plants are not exceptional as well. However, high temperatures are also related to excessive sunlight.

Moreover, higher temperatures are the reason for dry wind and dry soil. As midday nears, temperatures get high to higher. Thus, the plant wilts mostly when midday comes.

Nonetheless, Angelonia seems to recover when the temperatures go lower as soon as the daytime goes or evening comes.

Signs

• Stunting plant growth
• Browning of leaves
• Wilting of plant

Control Measure

Basically, its control is the same when there is too much sunlight. Yet,

• If the hot temperatures are causing dry wind, take your potted Angelonia indoors.
• Again, if you already live in a hot or arid region, try to use shade covers or misters frequently.
• Moreover, ensure a partial shed while considering the place to plant your Angelonia.

4. Soil Fertility

Soil fertility matters a lot for the best growth of any plant. Infertile soil is prone to drought and waterlogged conditions. Also, this soil does not have enough food to feed the plant. As a result, your Angelonia starves and wilts eventually.

Therefore, it is highly important to ensure the soil has all the essential nutrients your Angelonia might require. Otherwise, the roots of the plant cannot take up any food from the soil and it affects the entire plant.

Moreover, infertile soil also prohibits the access of oxygen and water to the plants. Thus, it is very normal that a plant without food will brown, wilt, and die in no time. Hence, ensuring soil fertility is a must.

However, excessively fertile soil can also bring harm to the Angelonia plant. Though this plant does not grow well in infertile soil yet it cannot survive either in excessively fertile soil. It is simply because they are light feeders.

Thus, excess application of fertilizer can increase the growth of foliage only. Whereas, there will be no blooms. That is exactly why the soil should contain a balanced portion of food.

Signs

• Lack of food, water, and oxygen
• Deformation of leaves and stems
• Zero blooms
• Excess foliage
• Wilting and dying of plants

Control Measure

• Apply a balanced or slow-release fertilizer maintaining a proper ratio. You can take 20:10:20 parts of all-purpose fertilizer to have a balanced quantity.
• Also, there must be some specific fertilizers available in the market for Angelonia plants. You can try out them as well.
• However, monthly apply the all-purpose fertilizer but obviously, try to follow the instructions as well.
• Moreover, to make the soil healthy and fertile, mulch around the Angelonia plants with layers of organic matter.

5. Pests and Diseases

Though Angelonia plants are quite resistant to pests and diseases yet they can be affected in some conditions.

Pests

Talk about the pests, Angelonia plants are mostly attacked by aphids. Aphids take place on the leaves of the plant during its growing period.

Aphids suck up the cell sap from the leaves consequently, the leaves get deformed and distorted by wilting. They make the leaves curl and twisted. Moreover, aphids can stunt stem growth.

However, spider mites are responsible for wilting your snapdragon. Since the pests are also sap-sucking they are also reasons for wilting of Angelonia.

Signs

• Crinkled and twisted leaves
• Dead or stunted shoots
• Yellowed leaves
• Slow growth rate

Control Measure

• You can remove aphids from the underneath surface of leaves by applying a stream of water.
• Or, you can also handpick the pests and destroy them.
• If the attack is severe then you can simply apply pesticides [our pick] to get rid of them.
• Since aphids are not that dangerous you can go for some homemade remedies as well,

#Use Onion Extract

Materials Required-

• Onion
• Water
• Container

Steps-

• Cut the onion into pieces and take them to a container.
• Add about ten liters of water into it and let it boil for about half an hour.  
• After boiling let the solution dry for another 30 minutes.
• When it gets cold, it becomes brew.
• Apply the brew to the aphids.

# Again, many gardeners use a mixture of soap or vinegar with dish detergent. Apply the solution right to the pests.

# Moreover, baking soda solution also helps to get rid of aphids from your Angelonia plant.

Diseases

Angelonia plants are most likely to be attacked by powdery mildew and some other bacterial diseases. These diseases are also the reason for wilting of Angelonia. Powdery mildew develops white patches of fungal growth on the leaf surface. Gradually, the fungus curls up the edges of the leaves.

You may also find purple blotches on the leaves. Humid conditions along with poor air circulation are favorable for the growth of powdery mildew. Again, if the disease is bacterial wilt, then it will make the leaves dull green in appearance and wilt at the end.

Signs

• White patches and purple blotches on leaves
• Curling and wilting of leaf edges
• Dull green and browning of leaves
• Stunting of plants

Control Measure

• The first thing to do to get rid of powdery mildew is to stop overhead watering.
• Remove all the plant debris and burn them.
• Use resistant varieties of your Angelonia plant.
• Also, apply fungicides if the attack is severe. (Our Pick: Bonide Captain Jack’s Copper Fungicide)

Optimum Requirement for Angelonia

FAQs

Are Angelonia Plants drought tolerant?

Yes, Angelonia plants are quite tolerant to drought once their roots are established well. But before that, drought conditions might affect the plant. Even though the plant is drought-tolerant yet it might cause wilting of the Angelonia as well.

Does Angelonia need full sun?

Yes, Angelonia loves full sun. It requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light to thrive healthily.  

Can Angelonia be grown indoors?

Yes, you can grow them indoors. Cut the plant and place it somewhere indoors in a container. You can enjoy a flower display for a longer period.

Final Words

Wilting of plants is a common yet saddening situation for a passionate gardener. Especially, when it happens to the most beautiful Angelonia plants. Wilting of Angelonia is surely not a treat to the eyes. However, now that you know the reasons, come across the control measures as well.

Apply all the solutions only after determining which one of the above is the exact reason for your Angelonia to wilt that badly.

Also, make feedback and queries if you have any. Happy gardening!

• Author
• Recent Posts

Rimon Chowdhury

Gardener, Horticulturist and Author at GreenyGardener

Rimon Chowdhury, a gardening enthusiast with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Rajshahi. His love for gardening began at a young age and He has been honing his skills for over 15 years.He is an expert in all aspects of gardening, from planting and watering to pest control and crop rotation. He is also dedicated to sustainable gardening practices and love sharing his knowledge with others through his website "greenygardner.com" and on social media platforms such as Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, and GardenStew.

Latest posts by Rimon Chowdhury (see all)

• Can Pothos Grow in Low Light - December 20, 2024
• Can Pothos Go Outside? - December 17, 2024
• Can Pothos Be in Direct Sunlight? - December 17, 2024