Pothos leaves curling is a common occurrence, but what does it mean? The plant may have been moved or the soil may not be draining well. In this article, we will discuss how to fix pothos leaves curling and get your plant happy again!
Why are the leaves of my pothos curling?
Not enough water
The first likely cause for the curling of leaves is not enough water. If you have been neglecting your pothos, it will show signs of drooping and curling leaves that may eventually turn brown or yellow if they don’t receive proper care.
Overwatering
Pothos leaves may start curling if they are in water that is too deep for them. Pothos plants like their feet to be rooted in constantly moist, but not wet soil and should have a pot filled with pebbles or rocks at the bottom of it so its roots don’t touch the water. If the plant starts to curl, the roots are probably wet and it needs to be watered less.
Excess fertilizer
If your pothos has been getting an excess of plant fertilizer, it will start to curl and droop. Pothos plants do not like high levels of nitrogen in the soil so if you have been using a fertilizer with too much nitrogen for the type of potting mix that your pothos is growing in, this could be causing curling leaves.
Pruning/movement
The plant might have been moved or pruned which can cause the leaves to curl. Sometimes when you transplant a pothos, it will start curling and drooping because it is still adjusting from being transplanted.
Soil issues
Sometimes there are various problems with soil that may lead to your pothos curling up its leaves. Pothos plants grow best when the soil is moist but not too wet, so if you have had a problem with drainage or been neglecting your plant and it starts to curl up its leaves, this could be because of an issue in the potting mix.
Poor drainage
Another possible reason for curled-up plant leaves could be poor drainage from the soil. If the leaves curl because of too much water then this may be a solution for your plant’s problem!
Too Much Sun Light
Pothos leaves may curl up if the plant is being overexposed to sunlight. If this happens, keep your Pothos in a cool and shaded place for a while before moving it back outside again!
Extremely high temperatures
If your pothos has been exposed to extreme heat or cold, the leaves may start curling. Pothos plants need a fairly constant temperature and can’t handle being moved from one climate zone to another too quickly without some time for adjustment in between.
Root rot
If the roots of your pothos have been rotted, they will start to curl up their leaves. This can happen in a pot if there is an overabundance of water or too much fertilizer and this makes the soil soggy which leads to root rot!
Disease or pest infestation
If your pothos has a disease or pest infestation, it will have symptoms like curling leaves. If you notice this happening to your plant, take a look at the soil and make sure there are no insects living in the roots of the plant because they could be causing an infection! The type of pests include aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs.
Use pesticides
If you have a pest infestation, the best way to fix curled-up leaves is with pesticides. In this case, it’s important that you use only safe and natural products like insecticidal soap or neem oil!
How to stop pothos leaves from curling
- Don’t let the soil get too wet or dry. Make sure it is moist but not soaking wet!
- If your pothos leaves have been exposed to extreme heat or cold, allow some time for them to adjust before moving them again.
- Give your plant a good pruning every once in a while which will help prevent drooping leaves.
- If you have a pest infestation, use safe and natural pesticides to get rid of the problem.
Is my pothos dying when leaves start to curl?
No, your pothos is not dying when it starts to curl up its leaves. Pothos plants can have various reasons for curled-up leaves and they are often just reacting to changes in the environment or their surroundings. The first thing you should do if you think that curling has something to do with too much water or fertilizer is to reduce the watering and limit the amount of fertilizer that you are using.
Tips for healthy growth in pothos
- Use a fertilizer with the right balance of nutrients for your plant
- Pruning will help to prevent drooping leaves and root rot in overgrown pots. Plants that are transplanted often start curling up their leaves because they’re still adjusting!
- Keep pothos plants out of direct sunlight, keep them shaded during extreme heat and cold
- Water your pothos according to the type of soil that you’re using. If it’s a clay pot, water less often than if it were a porous terracotta or plastic container.
- Keep an eye on the roots to make sure they aren’t rotting! Rotting can lead to curling leaves which is why it’s important to make sure there are no insects living in the roots of your plant.
- Do not overwater or overfertilize!
- If you’re noticing that all of the leaves on one branch have started curling, this could be a sign of insect infestation and is best solved with pesticides from safe sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some pests that can cause a plant to curl its leaves?
A: Some common types of pests include aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs.
Q: What is the best way to stop pothos leaves from curling?
A: Don’t let the soil get too wet or dry. These are the best ways to stop pothos leaves from curling.
Q: What does it mean when all of my plant’s leaves start curling up?
A: If you notice that all the leaves on one branch have started doing this, then it could be a sign of insect infestation which needs to be solved with pesticide.
Q: Does my pothos plant need to be watered when the leaves on one branch start curling up?
A: Yes. It’s important that you water your pothos even if it only has a few curled-up leaves because they could be drooping due to too much watering or not enough moisture in the air around the roots.
Q: What is the best type of fertilizer for my pothos plant?
A: You should use a balanced fertilizer. These are some examples of good fertilizers to choose from Miracle-Gro, Peters 20-20-20 All Purpose, or Osmocote 14-14-14 FeedTime Tomato and Vegetable Plant Food.
Pothos leaves curling is not an indication of a dying plant, but it does mean that the plant needs some attention in order to thrive and produce beautiful healthy plants for you!
