The philodendron plant is an excellent indoor plant that will breathe new life into your home and workspace. It has a tropical look that makes your interior space stand out from the rest.
The houseplant is forgiving and can tolerate all kinds of neglect. This could be one of the reasons for its popularity in many American homes.
But philodendron plants have some problems. Leaf curl is the most common problem and can cause a lot of frustration for the grower.
So why are my philodendron leaves curling up? This can be due to lack of water, heat stress, nutritional deficiencies, insect infestations and soil type.
No need to panic because attaching the curled leaves is easy. This article provides detailed information by explaining the causes and techniques to fix the problem.
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Contents
Philodendron Leaf Curl Causes and Solutions
Below are some of the most common causes and solutions for curled leaves on your philodendron houseplant:
low humidity
Philodendrons are tropical plants. This means that the houseplant thrives in a high humidity environment. The condition promotes better growth and healthy foliage of the plant.
Low humidity is one of the reasons Philodendron micans leaves curl and turn yellow. If you don’t adapt to the environment, the leaves will fall.
How to fix
- Mist the leaves of the plant regularly
- Use a pebble tray to increase plant humidity
- Use a humidifier to keep the houseplant moist
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thermal stress
Heat stress is a common cause of silver philodendron leaf curling and dropping. A high temperature increases the rate of transpiration. The roots of the houseplant cannot withstand the loss of water, causing the leaves to shrivel and curl.
The philodendron plant is adaptable to different circumstances. But the indoor plant will not survive low and high temperatures. Subjecting the plant to temperatures below 55°F (12°C) will facilitate collapse and death.
How to fix
- Make sure the room receives indirect sunlight
- Keep the houseplant away from heat sources.
- Make sure the soil is moist in winter to prevent wilting.
- Buy a thermometer to keep the indoor temperature between 15-26°C (60-80°F) throughout the day.
Submarine
Water stress is the main cause of curling, yellowing and leaf drop. The problem is common because many growers don’t know how to water their philodendron houseplant.
Philodendron is a tropical plant. Research shows that the houseplant thrives in an environment with sufficient humidity and high humidity.
The houseplant will show curled leaves if there is not enough water. You will also notice the philodendron leaves falling off and turning brown.
How to fix
- Put the plant in the sink without a plate and fill it with water.
- Let the water enter the plant through the drainage holes in the container.
- Touch the top layer of soil with your finger to confirm if water has been reached.
- Water the philodendron from above to make sure the water has saturated the soil.
- Drain the sink and allow the floor to drain excess water.
- Put the plant on your plate and put it back in the right place.
Water quality
All indoor plants need special water for optimal growth and healthy foliage. Distilled water is the most recommended because it contains fewer minerals that can affect the well-being of the plant.
Tap water contains many minerals such as fluoride, chlorine and salt. Salt buildup around the root system inhibits water uptake. The problem causes the leaves of Philodendron selloum to curl.
If poor water quality causes leaves to curl and turn brown. The surface of the sunken soil is seen with a white crust. Also, cold water affects the growth of philodendron due to the development of root diseases.
How to fix
- Filter the water before watering. Filtration helps remove fluoride and chlorine from the water, which prevents philodendron leaves from curling.
- Use warm water because the philodendron is a tropical plant. Helps maintain temperature and prevent root disease.
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give too much water
Overwatering is another common philodendron problem. Many growers do not know how to water the philodendron plant. The problem is the possible cause of root diseases.
The damaged root system due to diseases inhibits the absorption of water from the soil. In the long term, the plant will not be able to absorb enough moisture and nutrients.
The philodendron plant will exhibit curled leaves and discoloration. Also, the potting soil will start to smell bad to indicate the presence of root rot.
How to fix
- Transplant the plant to another container with fresh soil. Make sure the container has drainage soil to drain excess water. Clean the roots and cut the brown mottled root hairs.
- Carefully inspect the root system before transplanting. Soft roots mean that the philodendron plant cannot be revived.
- Learn how to water the philodendron plant on its schedule. We recommend that you check the moisture content of the soil before watering.
Jar size:
Philodendron is one of the fastest growing houseplants. Some varieties grow between 3 and 8 feet and it is recommended to bring the plant back regularly.
The small pot usually causes a root binding problem with overgrown roots. The problem ultimately hinders the proper intake of water and nutrients.
Larger pots will encourage overwatering and water evaporation may take longer. Root rot eventually destroys the houseplant.
How to fix
- Repot the plant every year if it gets too big in its current pot.
- Make sure the new transplant container has drainage holes in the bottom
the type of soil
Philodendron leaves curling and turning yellow can also be due to the type of soil. The houseplant thrives in well-drained soil, as there are few instances of waterlogging.
A drained soil improves the aeration of the root system and the absorption of water and essential minerals. These nutrients allow for better growth and healthy foliage.
Impermeable soil promotes waterlogging. The problem leads to root rot, which is responsible for the leaf curl problem. Always check the soil type before considering growing the philodendron plant.
plant diseases
Philodendron plants are not disease resistant. The environment can cause the houseplant to contract the disease and leaf curling is one of the symptoms.
There is no need to panic because most philodendron diseases are curable. Inspect the plant to identify the type of plant disease. Fungal diseases usually cause powdery mildew on the leaf surface.
How to fix
- Control humidity (Too much humidity is responsible for powdery mildew on the leaves).
- Place the plant in a well-ventilated room.
- Try to avoid excess water
- Discard the plant to avoid spreading the disease to other houseplants.
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insect plague
Philodendron plants are very susceptible to insect pests. Aphids and thrips are the most common types of insects that attack houseplants.
These critters are known to suck nutrients from leaves, resulting in curling. The leaves of the plants become soft, turn yellow and fall off after a few days.
How to fix
- Apply a non-toxic soapy solution to the leaves of the plant to kill insects.
- Trim and discard insect-infested leaves.
- Spray the plant with a systemic insecticide to kill insects.
lack of food
Lack of nutrients in the soil increases the pH level. The condition causes root systems to absorb vital nutrients that support plant growth and healthy foliage.
Philodendron leaf curl can be caused by nitrogen deficiencies in the soil. The indoor plant cannot perform photosynthesis. The problem can also cause stunted growth and discoloration.
Phosphorus deficiencies also cause curling and yellowing of philodendron leaves. The leaves may also experience the formation of brown spots.
How to fix
- Make sure the soil pH is between 4.5 and 6.0. Buy a pH meter from the market to maintain the correct soil pH.
- Use compost to provide the plant with nutrients and moisture. It also helps prevent the onset of diseases.
- Fertilize philodendron plants that show stunted growth. We recommend urea or ammonium sulphate due to the presence of nitrogen and phosphorus.
mild stress
Philodendron plants thrive in shade or in areas that receive direct and indirect sunlight. Light facilitates the breakdown of water during photosynthesis.
Too much light exposure causes the plant to dry out. The philodendron plant experiences curling and sagging due to dehydration.
Keep in mind that limited light exposure causes the philodendron plant to have unhealthy foliage and long stems. This type of environment also causes stunted growth.
How to fix
- Place the plant in a location where it receives direct and indirect sunlight.
- Pollinate the leaves to allow for effective sun exposure.
- Keep the plant hydrated by watering it to prevent the leaves from wilting and curling.
Over-fertilization
Over-fertilization is another crucial factor that causes philodendron leaves to curl and turn brown. Excess salt buildup around the roots inhibits water uptake and this causes a lot of damage.
In addition, excessive fertilization increases the risk of the plant contracting diseases and harmful insects. These factors, as discussed earlier, also cause leaf curling and yellowing.
How to fix
- Transplant the plant if you have over-fertilized the pot.
- Always apply fertilizer in spring and fall.
- Check soil nutrients before applying fertilizer
- Use Compost, Bone Meal Emulsion, and Manure Instead of Fertilizer
Ultimately
Philodendron leaf curl can be caused by low humidity, high temperature, lack of nutrients, lack of water, root rot and light stress. Keep these factors under control to prevent philodendron leaves from curling and turning yellow or brown.
Most of the measures described in the article have been tested and found to be effective. We recommend that you inspect the source of your houseplant problem before applying the techniques.
Keep in mind that philodendron problems are curable and unavoidable. Don’t worry, philodendron plant care is super easy.
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