diff --git a/tests/withering.rs b/tests/withering.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6db5d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/withering.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+use bevy::ecs::system::RunSystemOnce;
+use pomomon_garden::features::config::components::{BerrySeedConfig, GameConfig};
+use pomomon_garden::features::grid::components::{Grid, Tile, TileState};
+use pomomon_garden::features::inventory::components::ItemType;
+use pomomon_garden::features::phase::components::{
+    CurrentPhase, Phase, SessionTracker, TimerSettings,
+};
+use pomomon_garden::features::phase::handle_continue;
+use pomomon_garden::features::phase::messages::NextPhaseMessage;
+use pomomon_garden::prelude::*;
+
+fn setup_withering_app(
+    grid_width: u32,
+    grid_height: u32,
+    initial_tile_states: &[(u32, u32, TileState)],
+) -> App {
+    let mut app = App::new();
+    app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins);
+    app.add_plugins(AssetPlugin::default());
+
+    app.init_resource::<TimerSettings>();
+    app.init_resource::<SessionTracker>();
+    app.insert_resource(CurrentPhase(Phase::Finished {
+        completed_phase: Box::new(Phase::Focus { duration: 25.0 }),
+    }));
+
+    app.insert_resource(GameConfig {
+        berry_seeds: vec![BerrySeedConfig {
+            name: "TestSeed".into(),
+            cost: 1,
+            grants: 1,
+            slice: "".into(),
+            growth_stages: 5,
+        }],
+        ..Default::default()
+    });
+
+    let mut grid_tiles = Vec::with_capacity(grid_width as usize);
+    for x in 0..grid_width {
+        let mut column = Vec::with_capacity(grid_height as usize);
+        for y in 0..grid_height {
+            let entity = app
+                .world_mut()
+                .spawn((Tile { x, y }, TileState::Unclaimed))
+                .id();
+            column.push(entity);
+        }
+        grid_tiles.push(column);
+    }
+    app.insert_resource(Grid {
+        width: grid_width,
+        height: grid_height,
+        tiles: grid_tiles,
+    });
+
+    for &(x, y, ref state) in initial_tile_states {
+        if let Ok(entity) = app.world().resource::<Grid>().get_tile((x, y)) {
+            *app.world_mut().get_mut::<TileState>(entity).unwrap() = state.clone();
+        }
+    }
+
+    app.add_message::<NextPhaseMessage>();
+
+    app
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_withering_progression() {
+    let seed_type = ItemType::BerrySeed {
+        name: "TestSeed".into(),
+    };
+
+    // Start with a fresh plant
+    let initial_states = vec![(
+        0,
+        0,
+        TileState::Occupied {
+            seed: seed_type.clone(),
+            watered: false,
+            growth_stage: 0,
+            withered: false,
+            dry_counter: 0,
+        },
+    )];
+
+    let mut app = setup_withering_app(1, 1, &initial_states);
+
+    // --- Phase 1: Not watered ---
+    app.world_mut().write_message(NextPhaseMessage);
+    let _ = app.world_mut().run_system_once(handle_continue);
+
+    let t = app.world().resource::<Grid>().get_tile((0, 0)).unwrap();
+    let s = app.world().entity(t).get::<TileState>().unwrap();
+    match s {
+        TileState::Occupied {
+            withered,
+            dry_counter,
+            ..
+        } => {
+            assert_eq!(
+                *dry_counter, 1,
+                "Dry counter should be 1 after 1st dry phase"
+            );
+            assert_eq!(*withered, false, "Should not be withered yet");
+        }
+        _ => panic!("Invalid state"),
+    }
+
+    // --- Phase 2: Not watered -> Wither ---
+    // Reset phase to trigger update again
+    app.insert_resource(CurrentPhase(Phase::Finished {
+        completed_phase: Box::new(Phase::Focus { duration: 25.0 }),
+    }));
+    app.world_mut().write_message(NextPhaseMessage);
+    let _ = app.world_mut().run_system_once(handle_continue);
+
+    let s = app.world().entity(t).get::<TileState>().unwrap();
+    match s {
+        TileState::Occupied {
+            withered,
+            dry_counter,
+            ..
+        } => {
+            assert_eq!(*dry_counter, 2, "Dry counter should be 2");
+            assert_eq!(*withered, true, "Should be withered now");
+        }
+        _ => panic!("Invalid state"),
+    }
+
+    // --- Phase 3: Watered -> Withered persists ---
+    // Manually water it (simulate user action)
+    if let Some(mut s_mut) = app.world_mut().get_mut::<TileState>(t) {
+        match *s_mut {
+            TileState::Occupied {
+                ref mut watered, ..
+            } => *watered = true,
+            _ => (),
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Run phase
+    app.insert_resource(CurrentPhase(Phase::Finished {
+        completed_phase: Box::new(Phase::Focus { duration: 25.0 }),
+    }));
+    app.world_mut().write_message(NextPhaseMessage);
+    let _ = app.world_mut().run_system_once(handle_continue);
+
+    let s = app.world().entity(t).get::<TileState>().unwrap();
+    match s {
+        TileState::Occupied {
+            growth_stage,
+            withered,
+            dry_counter,
+            ..
+        } => {
+            assert_eq!(*dry_counter, 0, "Watering should reset dry counter");
+            assert_eq!(*withered, true, "Should still be withered");
+            assert_eq!(*growth_stage, 0, "Should not grow if withered");
+        }
+        _ => panic!("Invalid state"),
+    }
+}