Why are the leaves on my plants curling?
Curled leaves are usually a sign that they’ve been exposed to either too much heat or too much light. Or both!
If your plants look sad, droopy, or leaves are curling, don’t panic. Leaf curl is common, and with the right care, plants often bounce back in just 7–10 days.
Every plant has unique nutrient and environmental needs. Because of this, curled leaves may point to different problems. The good news is that most are easy to fix.
Causes of Leaf Curl and How to Fix Them
1. Nutrient Deficiencies (N, P, K, Calcium, Silicon)
Leaves that look narrow, pale, undersized, or misshaped often indicate a nutrient deficiency.
Fix:
- Slightly increase the strength of your nutrient feed.
- If leaves twist or look distorted, the issue may be calcium, silicon, or excess chlorine.
- To help, de-chlorinate tap water by letting it stand for 12 hours before use.
2. Leaves Curling Down at the Tips
When plants try to retain moisture, leaf tips curl down or “cup” at the margins. This usually signals overfeeding or overwatering.
Fix:
- Ease off on your feeding schedule.
- Allow the grow media to dry slightly between waterings.
- If the problem persists, use a flush product to remove excess nutrients.
3. Leaves Curling Up at the Tips
Leaves curling upwards are usually caused by the environment. Common reasons include:
- Grow lights placed too close
- Wind burn from fans
- Poor air exchange in the grow room
Soil growers may also experience this issue if soil is contaminated with herbicides or worm castings.
Fix:
- Move grow lights further away.
- Improve air circulation with a grow room fan.
- If soil contamination is suspected, replace the soil and remove any worm castings.
4. Leaf Margins Curling Down
When leaf edges curl down, the root zone may be suffering from overfeeding, low oxygen, or nutrient build-up.
Fix:
- Switch to breathable cloth pots to improve oxygen levels.
- Adjust lighting distance if plants are stressed.
- Improve air exchange with a fan to balance the environment.
Final Thoughts
Leaf curl is a clear signal from your plants. By identifying the cause—nutrients, water, or environment—you can act quickly to correct it. With the right adjustments, plants usually recover within a week.
Remember: monitor moisture, light, and airflow consistently. Small changes can make the difference between weak growth and a thriving, high-yielding crop.
If you need any in-depth advice about hydroponic growing, contact our experts or call 01926 511151 for a friendly discussion.