Calathea is a gorgeous houseplant admired for its large, oval-shaped leaves with signature patterning. But this tropical plant can be finicky, and curling leaves are a common issue calathea owners deal with.
If you’ve noticed the edges of your calathea leaves rolling or curling inwards, something is wrong. The good news is that identifying the cause is the first step to getting your calathea back to health.
In this article we’ll cover the top reasons for curling calathea leaves and how to fix them.
What Causes Calathea Leaves to Curl?
There are several factors that can cause curling and rolling leaves in calatheas The most common reasons include
- Underwatering
- Overwatering
- Low humidity
- Too much sun
- Cold temperatures
- Poor water quality
- Overfertilization
- Pests
Catching and diagnosing the issue early is crucial to save your calathea. Below, we’ll explore each of these causes in more detail.
Underwatering
Not watering enough is the number one reason calathea leaves curl. These plants need consistently moist soil, but not soggy.
When the soil dries out too much between waterings, the leaves respond by curling inwards to conserve moisture You may also notice drooping, yellowing, or browning leaves.
To fix an underwatered calathea, give it a thorough soak so water drains from the drainage holes below. Then, be sure to water more regularly when the top inch or two of soil dries out. Calatheas should be watered at least once a week.
Overwatering
While calatheas hate drying out, they also dislike wet feet. Overwatering causes saturated, soggy soil that can lead to root rot. Damaged roots are unable to take up water properly, resulting in curled leaves.
Check that excess water can drain from the pot after watering. If soil stays muddy for weeks, repot in a pot with drainage holes using fresh, well-draining soil.
Low Humidity
Native to the humid tropics, calatheas crave 50% humidity or higher. When the air is too dry, the large leaves lose moisture through transpiration faster than the roots can take it up. Curling leaves prevents excess water loss.
Boost humidity for a calathea by misting the leaves, using a pebble tray, or getting a humidifier. Group plants together to create a microclimate. Keep calatheas away from heating vents that can dry out the air.
Too Much Sun
Direct hot sun will scorch calathea leaves. Excess light causes the leaves to curl to minimize exposure. Always keep these plants in bright, indirect light instead of direct sun. Filter harsh light with a sheer curtain.
If your calathea got sunburned, remove damaged leaves. Then move it to a spot with proper lighting conditions so new growth emerges healthy.
Temperature Changes
Sudden drops or spikes in temperature can stress calatheas and cause leaves to curl. Avoid placing them near drafty windows or doors. Keep your calathea at a steady temperature between 65-80°F.
Poor Water Quality
Tap water containing chemicals like fluoride and salts can accumulate in the soil. This builds up over time, making it difficult for the roots to take up water. Leaves respond by curling.
Use distilled, filtered, or rain water for calatheas. Repotting annually in fresh soil also helps flush out any accumulated minerals.
Overfertilizing
While calatheas need regular feeding in spring and summer, excess fertilizer can harm the roots and cause leaf curling. Flushing the soil by watering thoroughly can help remove built-up salts. Then, only fertilize monthly according to directions.
Pests
Spider mites, aphids, and other sap-sucking pests can infest calatheas. They damage the leaves, causing them to become curled, wrinkled, or spotted. Treat pest problems early with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
How to Fix and Prevent Curled Calathea Leaves
Once you’ve diagnosed the cause of curling leaves, here are some general tips to rehab and care for your calathea:
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Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Use distilled or filtered water only.
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Increase humidity to 50% or above.
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Provide bright, indirect light and protect from hot sun.
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Keep temperatures steady between 65-80°F.
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Repot annually in spring using fresh, well-draining soil.
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Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Prune off any damaged leaves. Healthy leaves will uncurl within a few weeks once conditions improve.
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Monitor for pests and treat early with insecticidal soap.
With proper care, your calathea will bounce back quickly from stressed, curled leaves. Consistent watering, humidity, and ideal lighting are key to keep those leaves flat and beautiful!
Why Your Calathea’s Leaves Curl At Night
You may notice your calathea’s leaves curling up slightly at night, even when the plant is perfectly healthy. This is a normal part of the plant’s daily rhythm.
Calatheas exhibit nyctinasty, meaning their leaves open and close somewhat in response to light. This daily movement helps optimize photosynthesis and conserve energy. At night, the leaves close upwards, then reopen by morning.
So there’s no need to worry if you notice some curling in the evenings! As long as the leaves return to their normal flat position during the day, your calathea is just fine.
When to Worry About Curling Calathea Leaves
While some curling at night is normal, be concerned if you notice your calathea’s leaves remaining tightly curled during the day. This indicates a problem with its care.
Leaves that are curled, wrinkled, or folded upwards or downwards when they should be open flat signify an underlying issue, usually improper watering.
Make sure you are watering adequately and providing the right humidity, light, and temperatures per the recommendations above. Once you optimize your calathea’s growing conditions, new leaves will emerge without curling.
Enjoy Your Calathea’s Gorgeous, Flat Leaves
With its stunning leaves and unique patterns, it’s no wonder the calathea is such a popular houseplant. Now that you know what causes those leaves to curl and how to fix it, you can troubleshoot problems as they arise.
Pay close attention to your watering habits, humidity, lighting, and other care tips. With the proper environment and some TLC, your calathea will reward you with healthy, vibrant leaves for years to come!
The leaves on your Calathea could be curling for a number of reasons. Let’s investigate and get to the bottom of this!
Your Calathea prefers soil that is consistently moist. Be sure you’re not over or underwatering your plant. Keep a consistent watering schedule: water when the top 1”-2” of the soil is dry.
If you accidentally let your Calathea’s soil dry out completely, you may see leaves go limp, droop, and possibly start to brown and curl. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a thorough soak is in order.
Here’s How to Soak Your Calathea:
- Place your plant in your sink or tub without the saucer. Fill your basin up with about 3-4″ of water. Make sure the water isn’t hot!
- Allow your plant to soak up water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot for at least 45 min.
- Feel the top of the soil after your plant has been soaking–has the water reached the top 2-3” of soil?
- If not all the soil feels saturated, water your Calathea slightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation.
- When your plant’s soil is evenly damp, drain the sink/tub and allow the plant to rest while it drains thoroughly. Place the plant back on its saucer and back in its proper spot.
If the curling continues after you’ve regulated a watering schedule, another common reason your Calathea’s leaves are curling could be due to your tap water. Tap water contains salts, chlorine, minerals, and fluoride — all of which can build up in the soil of your plant causing the tips of the leaves to burn, turn brown, and curl up.
One way you can remedy this is to use a water filtration system. If you do not have a filtration system available, leaving your water in an open container or sink overnight before using can help relieve some of the chlorine.
Make sure your plant is not in a drafty area or in the path of heating and cooling vents. Leaves will curl if the plant is cold, or excessively dry from constant warm airflow.
Your Calathea is a tropical plant, so it will thrive in more humid environments. Increase the humidity around your plant by misting the leaves on a regular basis, using a pebble tray, or moving a humidifier nearby.
How do you fix Calathea leaves curling ?
FAQ
How to fix Calathea leaves curling?
Increase the humidity around your plant by misting the leaves on a regular basis, using a pebble tray, or moving a humidifier nearby.
What does an overwatered Calathea look like?
What does an overwatered calathea look like? Yellow or wilting leaves are the main symptom of overwatering. If this is the problem, stop watering for a while, and stand the pot on a tray of gravel or pebbles to allow excess moisture to drain away.
How often do you water Calathea?
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Watering Frequency:Calatheas prefer consistently moist soil, but not waterlogged. Aim to water every 1-2 weeks, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings.
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Signs of Overwatering:Yellowing or wilting leaves, or soggy soil, are signs of overwatering.
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Signs of Underwatering:Curled or crispy leaves, or a plant that looks droopy, are signs of underwatering.
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Watering Technique:When watering, ensure the water reaches the bottom of the pot and drains out, then discard any excess water that collects in the saucer.
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Humidity:Calatheas thrive in humid environments, so consider misting the leaves regularly, especially during dry periods.
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Light:Calatheas prefer medium, indirect light, so avoid placing them in direct sunlight, which can scorch their leaves.
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Water Quality:Calatheas are sensitive to harsh minerals in tap water, so using filtered water or rainwater is recommended.
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Soil:Use a well-draining potting mix that is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic.
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Fertilizing:Fertilize Calatheas once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
How do you fix curling leaves on plants?
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Overwatering:Drooping leaves and curling downward from the stem to the tip can indicate overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
- Solution: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, ensure proper drainage, and reduce the frequency of watering.
- Solution: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, ensure proper drainage, and reduce the frequency of watering.
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Underwatering:Crispy, dry leaves and curling can signal underwatering.
- Solution: Water thoroughly, ensuring the soil is moist but not soggy.
- Solution: Water thoroughly, ensuring the soil is moist but not soggy.
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Heat/Light Stress:Plants can curl their leaves to conserve moisture in response to excessive heat or light.
- Solution: Move the plant to a cooler, shaded location or provide partial shade, and mist the leaves regularly.
- Solution: Move the plant to a cooler, shaded location or provide partial shade, and mist the leaves regularly.
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Temperature Extremes:Both very high and very low temperatures can cause leaf curling.
- Solution: Protect plants from drafts and sudden temperature changes, and ensure they are in a location with stable temperatures.
- Solution: Protect plants from drafts and sudden temperature changes, and ensure they are in a location with stable temperatures.
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Low Humidity:Low humidity can cause leaves to lose moisture rapidly, leading to curling, especially in plants that thrive in high humidity environments.
- Solution: Increase humidity by misting the plant regularly, using a humidifier, or placing the plant on a pebble tray with water.
- Solution: Increase humidity by misting the plant regularly, using a humidifier, or placing the plant on a pebble tray with water.
Why are my Calathea leaves curling?
Remember, when Calathea is dehydrated, it will activate its defense mechanism to avoid further water loss from transpiration. The leaves will curl inward in response to reduce the surface area from which moisture escapes. Signs the leaves curling is due to underwatering: Check for droopy leaves with yellowing and browning on your Calathea.
Why do leaves curl?
Dehydration is the most common reason that causes leaves to curl, but it isn’t the only issue. Plants try to compensate for the loss of water due to underwatering, reducing the leaf’s surface area by curling them. Curling the leaves will allow the plant to utilize less water from the dry soil.
How do you know if Calathea is overwatering?
This can cause the leaves to curl and turn brown at the edges. Other signs of overwatering include yellow leaves, drooping plants, and a foul odor from the soil. Watering Calathea plants too frequently can also cause root rot, so be careful not to overwater when the plant is dormant in the winter.
Why are my Calathea leaves turning white?
Leaves turn dry and brittle with yellowing or browning of the tips is a sign of fluoride poisoning in Calathea plants. Hard water leaves a white chalky residue on the leaves, stems, and even soil as it evaporates. How to fix the effect of hard water: If the soil has accumulated too much salt, it is best to repot your Calathea to new fresh soil.
Why is my Calathea wilting?
Yellowing and wilting of lower leaves, together with browning on the leaf margins and tips signify that you have over-fertilized your Calathea. If you notice the above signs, then inspect the plant root to check for black brown or rotting roots that usually occur due to over fertilization.
What happens if you water a Calathea plant too much?
Too little water will cause the leaves to dry out and curl up. Too much water will “drown” the plant, causing root rot, resulting in curled Calathea leaves and a very unhappy plant. Your Calathea’s soil should feel damp but not soggy. Check the moisture levels at least once a day using a stick or your fingertip.