Why are my Calathea leaves curling? (Causes and solutions) – ISPUZZLE

Calatheas are temperamental and expressive plants that like to give lots of visual cues when they are not happy. Calathea leaf curling is a sign that something is wrong with your plant. If you can identify the problem and allow your calathea to relax, the leaves will unfurl and your plant will return to its normal, healthy appearance.

Calathea leaf curling is a sign of plant dehydration and is a mechanism used by the plant to reduce water loss. Leaf curl is usually caused by lack of water, low humidity, or excessive heat, but can also occur as a result of root damage caused by root rot, over-fertilization, or disease.

Calatheas can be temperamental plants, but they are extremely responsive when cared for properly. Try these tips to get your Calathea blooming again in no time.

Contents

How to unfold the leaves of your Calathea

Calathea plants like to move their leaves. A healthy Calathea will slowly turn its leaves to catch the surrounding sunrays; an unhealthy Calathea curls its leaves tightly to indicate distress. Once you fix the problem, the leaves may even straighten up before your eyes.

  1. Take your plant out of the light. Calatheas hate direct sunlight; too much exposure will permanently damage its leaves. Move them away from the window, but make sure there is still ambient light to absorb.
  2. Adjust the temperature in the room. Calatheas do best in temperatures between 60 and 85°F (16 and 29°C). Don’t just check the ambient temperature, check the temperature your Calathea is in.
  3. Add humidity to the environment. Lack of moisture is the most common reason Calathea curls up. read my article on increased humidityand check the humidity with a digital hygrometer (I couldn’t live without one of them.)
  4. Change your water habits. The soil of your Calathea should remain moist at all times, but should never sit in standing water. Keep a close eye on your watering habits to develop the perfect balance.
  5. Switch to distilled water. Hard water that is full of salt or other minerals is toxic to your Calathea. Consider using bottled water or rainwater for a healthier plant.

Once you follow these steps you will notice that your Calathea is bright, relaxed and much healthier looking. Carefully prune leaves that are permanently damaged. Give your Calathea at least a week to react to new conditions and monitor the plant closely to avoid future problems.

Let’s take a closer look at the five reasons why Calathea leaves the loop.

healthy calathea plantYour Calathea can be restored to health by identifying and correcting the cause of curling leaves.

1. Too much light will curl Calathea leaves

Wild Calathea plants grow under the canopy of tropical forests. These plants thrive in shady, low-light conditions that mimic the cool undergrowth of your traditional home.

Direct sunlight will discolor the leaves of your Calathea plant and may even remove the beautiful white and green markings. Calatheas often curl their leaves in an effort to reduce the amount of light exposure. If you put your plant back in the shade, the leaves should unfurl in a day or two.

Never place your Calathea in front of a sunny window or under an open light source. Instead, find a shady spot with a moderate amount of ambient light in the room. Caletheas like access to indirect sunlight; if you place them near a north-facing window, you might even see the leaves moving to catch a little more sunlight.

Wherever you place your Calathea, make sure there is no direct sunlight on the plant at any time of the day. You may want to place a small barrier between your plant and the light to prevent the leaves from burning.

2. Calathea leaf curl can be caused by temperature extremes

Calathea plants like to grow in temperatures that mimic their natural environment. If your plant gets too cold, it will curl up in an attempt to stay warm. If it is too hot, the leaves begin to dry up and wilt. Both of these problems can be solved by adjusting the temperature in the plant environment.

The best temperature for a Calathea plant is between 16 and 29°C (60 and 85°F). If your room is between these temperatures and the leaves are curling, try turning the thermostat towards the 75°F (24°C) mark. Observe how your plant reacts for a few days and continue to adjust the temperature until the curly Calathea leaves begin to disappear.

Make sure your Calathea is not placed directly in front of an air conditioner or heated grill. Hot or cold air blasts will impact the plant and damage the leaves. Hold your hand in front of your plant; if you can feel a puff of air, it may be too much for your delicate Calathea. Nearby furnaces, desktop computers, and other heat sources can also affect the temperature of your facility.

The average room temperature on your thermostat doesn’t always match the actual temperature in the corner where your Calathea is. This is especially true in large offices where the temperature of the whole building is taken into account. You can use a thermometer to check the soil temperature and your Calathea’s environment.

curled calathea leavesimage sources

3. Low humidity is a common cause of calathea leaf curl

Humidity is essential for a healthy Calathea. These plants absorb moisture through their broad leaves; as the air dries, the leaves curl and turn yellow. You may also notice a rough or brittle texture and the edges of the leaves may break when touched.

First, give your Calathea an immediate burst of moisture by misting the leaves. Use a spray bottle on the lightest setting – direct streams of water can damage the plant, especially if the leaves are in delicate condition.

Misting provides humidity for two to four hours. It’s not a long-term solution, but regular misting can help revitalize a calathea while correcting the humidity in its environment.

Next, find a way to keep the air around your calathea as moist as possible. Humidifiers are a great solution; For smaller plants, look for a desktop humidifier that you can place next to it. Turn the humidifier on and off as needed to create the perfect environment.

This is the humidifier I use for my indoor plants. (link to Amazon) and I highly recommend it. It has a large reservoir, so it doesn’t need to be refilled frequently and makes maintaining higher humidity levels a breeze.

Many Calathea owners place their plant on a bed of pebbles or peat submerged in water. Water evaporates during the day, creating a humid environment. As long as the puddle does not directly touch the roots of the plant, this method usually provides enough ambient humidity to keep the plant healthy. Make sure the water is kept clean to prevent bacteria growth.

Finally, Calatheas and others prayer plants they do exceptionally well in terrariums, bottle gardens, and other closed environments. You can simulate this short-term effect by placing a plastic bag over your Calathea to trap surrounding moisture. Watch for condensation forming and air the bag at least once a day.

See my article on increased humidity for indoor plants for more ways to keep your Calathea healthy. Remember that humid environments carry their own risks for houseplants; keep the room well ventilated to prevent the development of mold or other problems.

4. Curly Calathea leaves may be caused by improper watering

Like all houseplants, Calatheas need a very specific amount of water to stay healthy. Too little water causes the leaves to dry out and curl. Too much water will “drown” the plant, causing the roots to rot, resulting in curled Calathea leaves and a very unhappy plant.

The soil for your Calathea should be moist but not soggy. Check the humidity level at least once a day with a toothpick or your fingertips. The top of the soil should dry out slightly between waterings, but the moisture should always be a few inches below the surface. Never let your Calathea dry out completely unless you are trying to fix a mold problem.

Although your Calathea should stay moist, it should never be left in a puddle. Give small amounts of water regularly to find the right balance. Make sure the water is at room temperature to avoid damaging the plant. Take into account the rate at which water evaporates in your area and check your plant at least twice a day.

Make sure your Calathea’s pot is well-drained to prevent root rot. Standing water at the bottom of the pot is the main cause of plant disease.

Calatheas may receive slightly less water during the winter months. The cold air causes the plant to rest a bit, which results in less water and nutrient uptake. Keep an eye on soil moisture and be sure to keep the area moist.

read my article on how to water your houseplants perfectly every time.

curled calathea leavesYou can arrange your curly calathea leaves like this beautiful example. (image source)

5. The type or quality of water you use can cause the leaves to curl

Calathea leaves curl up in distress, but the problem may not be easy to identify right away. A common cause of sick calathea is an excess of minerals in the water source.

Tap water often has a high salt content, which causes your Calathea to wilt and wilt. If your Calathea has a hard water problem, you will notice leaves with yellow edges and you may even see salt buildup on the surface of the soil.

Try replacing your herb with distilled or bottled water. Depending on where you live, you can also harvest rainwater for your plants. Leave the water at room temperature and remember not to give your plant too much at once.

Last word

I hope this guide has helped you find the cause of your Calathea’s curled leaves. Calathea plants curl their leaves when something goes wrong, but they also quickly revive once the problem is fixed.

On this site I have written extensively about Calatheas. For more information, see the following articles for more tips and general Calathea care tips.

  • 12 Beautiful Calatheas You’ll Love
  • How to prevent and correct yellow leaves in Calatheas?
  • Peacock Plant Care – How To Care For Calathea Makoyana
  • How to care for Calathea orbifolia
  • How to take care of Calathea zebrina
  • How to take care of Calathea warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet)
  • How to propagate Calatheas?
  • How to take care of Calathea roseopicta

Leave a Comment