Everyone loves a lush garden, especially in the summer months, and seeing your houseplants flourish is a truly rewarding experience.
But what should you do when your plants leaves start curling?
How can you fix this?
Should you be worried?
This blog looks at what this curling problem is, what causes it and how you can fix it.
There are a variety of factors that can cause leaves to curl upwards, including pests, diseases, stress, or because of too much or too little sunlight or water.
Too much or too little light
Too much sunlight or too little sunlight on plants can both have detrimental effects.
Too much sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch and the plant to wilt, while too little sunlight can cause the plant to become leggy and spindly.
The key is to find a balance that will allow the plant to thrive. The best way to do this is to keep an eye on the plant and see how it responds to the amount of sunlight it is getting.
If it starts to look unhealthy, then you will need to adjust the amount of sunlight it is getting.
If you think too much sun is the problem, try moving your plant to a shadier spot, equally you should move it to a sunnier spot if it already does not get too much light. By searching for the light requirements of your particular plant you can determine what the best environment is for it.
Overwatering and underwatering
Overwatering and underwatering are two of the most common problems when it comes to watering plants. Overwatering can lead to root rot and fungal diseases, while underwatering can cause the plant to wilt and the leaves to turn brown.
There are a few things you can do to prevent these problems. First, make sure you know how much water your plant needs. This will vary depending on the plant, so do some research or ask a nursery employee for advice.
Once you know how much water your plant needs, stick to a watering schedule and water it deeply, but less often. This will help the roots grow deep and strong, and the plant will be less likely to suffer from drought stress.
If you’re not sure whether you’re overwatering or underwatering, pay attention to the plant’s leaves. Overwatered plants will have wilted, yellow, or brown leaves, while underwatered plants will have dry, brown, and crispy leaves. If you see any of these signs, adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
Your plant could be too cold
To provide plants with the right level of warmth, it is important to consider the plant’s natural environment and climate.
For example, tropical plants need warm temperatures to grow, while plants from temperate regions may need cooler temperatures. Also, the level of warmth needed by a plant can vary depending on the stage of growth. For example, young plants may need warmer temperatures to encourage growth.
There are a number of ways to provide plants with the right level of warmth.
One option is to use a grow light, which can provide the right level of warmth for a variety of plants alongside light. Another option is to use a heating mat, which can be placed under the plant to provide a consistent level of warmth.
Finally, it is also possible to provide plants with the right level of warmth by using a greenhouse or an enclosed cabinet, which can create a warm, controlled environment for plants to grow.
It could be due to pests
Common plant pests like aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies can cause leaves to curl as they feed on the plant. If you suspect pests, inspect the plant carefully and look for signs of insects or fungal growth.
If you have aphids or flies on your plant leaves, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.
First, you can try spraying the leaves with water. This will dislodge the pests and make them easier to remove.
You can also try using an insecticidal soap or neem oil. These products will kill the aphids or flies on contact. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully, as some products may be harmful to plants. If the infestation is severe, you may need to remove the affected leaves.
Conclusion
Even though I’ve provided you with a number of factors to investigate, there’s really no perfect way to diagnose an issue like curling leaves.
You can start by checking the leaves for signs of distress, where discolouration or obvious signs of pests could quickly help you to diagnose the plant and find a solution, but beyond this you may need to experiment with a few remedies.
For every plant you should always make sure to do at least a few minutes of research into the ideal conditions to provide it with, as this will usually minimise the risk of a plant becoming unhealthy in the first place.
If you can provide your plant with the same conditions that it would experience in the wild, such as the right level of light, the right kind of soil, a similar level of humidity and watering, then you should have a happy and healthy plant for many years.
If you still are having trouble after reading this far, post a comment or get in contact with me for some feedback, or post in your preferred online plant community to get help from experts.
