A thorough watering should help it return to normal. Fortunately, Pothos curling leaves are relatively easy to fix. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. On the other hand, your pothos leaves curl inwards with too much light. Find out more: What Are Your Pothos Light Needs (So Your Plant Can Thrive)? These pests feed on the plant sap from the leaves, causing the leaves to curl. If you use terracotta or unglazed ceramic, remember that the soil will dry out faster, so youll need to water your plant more often. Let your pothos plant's soil dry out completely between waterings. The wrong amount of light is also a cause of curling leaves in Satin Pothos plants. Repotting is the last solution if all the other methods dont fix curling leaves on Pothos. You should also repot the plant into fresh soil and cut off the infected roots. The leaves may curl to hold in moisture if the air is too dry. This problem is usually caused by underwatering, which can cause the leaves to dry out and lose their rigidity. Is Spinach Man Made or Mother Nature's Creation? Meanwhile, Golden Pothos or Dragon Tail Pothos have a higher tolerance to low humidity due to their leathery leaves. Alternatively, remove the plant from the pot and get rid of the soggy soil. Below, we will go over some of the most common causes and what you can do to fix the problem. I keep one in my plant area to check if its too hot or cold. They could be anything from root rot, to sudden exposure to hot or cold drafts. There can be many reasons for plant leaves to curl upwards and each requires its own method of reparation. I thought I was improving with my watering skills when it came to taking care of the pothos. Place the plant where it will receive indirect sunlight and where the temperature is consistent. Still- if you suspect the fertilizer build up isnt that bad, you can try flushing out the surplus salts by repeatedly drenching the soil with water. Why are my pothos leaves curling and turning yellow? By using a humidifier, its possible to keep the environment around pothos moist. Common pests that affect satin pothos, golden pothos, and other varieties include mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites. When the plant comes into contact with chemicals, it becomes stressed, and the leaves begin to curl. The optimal room temperature for a Pothos plant is between 65F (18C) and 75F (24C). Pothos plants can also experience heat stress, which can cause the leaves to curl. If the room temperatures exceed this range, leaf curling is likely to occur as a natural response to the temperature stress. It's going through a growth spurt because I've had it for a while and it's always been healthy but just wouldn't grow. However, this problem is driven by more than just the amount of light but by how it changes your plants growing conditions. Curling leaves are a plants way of protecting itself from stress. Cut the vine of the satin pothos between two growth nodes, leaving around 1-2 of stem below the cut node. Its a definite indicator that the plant is in distress. If you notice a crust forming on the top layer of soil, you have two options. Put the pot in a warm, bright room, and keep the soil moist. As tropical plants, pothos prefers warm temperatures between 70F and 85F. Alternatively, you can install a drainage tray fixture underneath your pots. Also, get rid of all dead leaves and vines on the pot. Fortunately, this plant is super low maintenance, and theres a way to correct all the problems associated with leaf curling. Without treating for scale insects, a secondary issue likely to surface is sooty mold. On that note, if you decide to prune your scindapsus pictus, you can try your hand at propagating it. If the damage is extensive, you can simply cut away the damaged leaf to make room for a new one to grow in. When new leaves come through on a pothos, it is natural for the edges to curl slightly. It is also essential to make sure that your pot has proper drainage. When it is too warm for the plant, the leaf tips curl upward. Move your pothos at least 3 feet away from any heat sources. Roots rot when they are left sitting in standing water, or in the case of pothos, when the soil is soggy. Curling also helps the plant conserve moisture by reducing the surface area exposed to evaporation. When the leaves curl, the roots may be too far gone. This means the soil doesnt stay damp long enough to give the plant enough time to absorb all the water it needs. Pothos varieties are arguably some of the most beautiful houseplants you can ever have but not when the leaves start to shrivel and curl downwards. The entire leaf can stretch toward a light source when there is insufficient light, but when the edges of the leaves curl upward or downward, take it as a sign that something is off with the growing conditions. When the leaves are curling away from a light source, it is likely overheating. Heat Stress. Step 2: Using your gardening shears, trim a stem with at least a few leaves just below a growth node. Humidity stress means the air around the plants is too dry and requires moisture. Sharp, sanitized snips. The most common symptoms of these diseases are brown or black leaf spots. CAUSE: Heat stress causes rapid evaporation, so plants curl up to conserve moisture. Water. Common fungal and bacterial diseases that can cause the leaves of your pothos plant to curl include leaf spot, root rot, and blight. In the vast majority of cases, these congregate on the underside of leaves making them difficult to spot. bagging really helps to increase humidity/decrease moisture loss from leaves. (2 Common Reasons), Why Is My Pothos Dropping Leaves? If your Pothos is experiencing transplant shock, the best solution is to give the plant time to adjust. Whats fantastic about worm castings is you dont have to worry about over-fertilizing. Read on to find out how to prevent and reverse your pothos leaves curling. The bulbs themselves do not heat up excessively, but the housing units do! As a result, the leaves curl, and the pothos gets root and stem rot. . Extensive damage happens as a result of colonies emerging due to any species of insect breeding. Pothos leaves curl when exposed to too much sunlight. This means moisture has spread all over the soil and the plant has enough for some time. Therefore- if corrected immediately, your Pothos have a survival chance. You can only take a new cutting, make sure it has a node, and propagate it instead. If you suspect the curling leaves are due to a pest infestation, reach out to your local extension office for advice on appropriate pesticides. One common issue is pothos leaves curling up or inwards. That is, another way to prevent curling leaves is to avoid overfeeding pothos. One of the most common diseases though actually relates to overwatering, as just mentioned, and thats root rot. To avoid overfeeding your pothos, ensure that you apply fertilizer no more than twice within a single year. This is rarely a problem for mature plants. Chemical damage occurs when the plant comes into contact with chemicals that are harmful to it. You can prevent pothos leaves from curling by watering and feeding them correctly. However, my mistake was leaving one of my pothos near a vent blowing hot air. Benefits in Gardening + Composting, Compost vs. Potting Soil: Key Differences, Types of Spider Plants 7 Different Varieties (With Pictures), 4 Types of Lime Trees [Varieties, Pictures + Identification], Peace Lily Drooping: Causes + How to Revive Wilting Spathiphyllum, DIY Succulent Terrarium: Step-by-Step Guide. Another reason for the curled-up leaves of your pothos could be fluctuations in the temperature. It is easy to forget about this plant, which often ends up neglected on top of cupboards. Pothos still need lots of light to keep growing healthy when growing indoors. Underwatering can be fixed fairly easily, although its important to catch it in time before your plant is past the point of no return. Pothos like it indoors since they stay away from the hot summer sun. While this is true, the ideal temperature range for Pothos plants is between 70F (21C) and 90F . The bottom of the decorative container needs to have at least 1 to 1.5 of gravel. University of Florida, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Amy Gibbs* and Brian Hudelson, UW-Madison Plant Pathology. Both too much and too little light will make the leaves curl but luckily there is a simple way to find out which it is. Pothos can get diseases such as root rot and fungal infections. Using a finger, dig into the topsoil of the plant. You can fix curling leaves on pothos by providing ample lighting, eradicating infestation, treating sick plants and repotting affected plants. If you follow these tips, you should be able to prevent Pothos leaves from curling. When grown outdoors, full shade or partial shade is great for your plant to thrive. Is Spinach Man Made or Mother Natures Creation? This is especially true for golden pothos and satin pothos varieties. 3) Over Watering. Are Snake Plants Toxic to Dogs? Pothos are hardy plants with a perky appearance. The damage is the same because both result in the nutrients being hijacked by insects. This sets in when the waxy coating of honeydew (insect excrement) coats the leaves, which blocks sunlight from reaching the leaves resulting in a lack of photosynthesis. The following research and expert guidance illustrate these points. Dry air affects pothos leading to curling leaves. However, this actually results in the roots being unable to absorb all the nutrients they need, meaning all that water cant actually reach the plants leaves and stems, and so leaf curl is a mechanism for your pothos to try to survive. Rinse the remaining roots with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Give the plant time to recover, and it should begin to grow new leaves within a few weeks. Lime-green pothos plants grow best in temperatures between 65F and 85F (18C - 29C). If your Pothos is experiencing soil compaction, the best solution is to repot the plant. This includes satin pothos, neon pothos, satin pothos, and any other type of pothos. The Pothos Direct Sun Debate: How Much Is Too Much? As a rule of thumb, constantly watch on your pothos when the weather condition as well as period adjustment; it is likely to experience it, as well as curling leaves will certainly be the very first signs and symptoms. Then, set your watering schedule according to the timeline you make. How To Prevent Pothos Leaves From Curling, How To Save a Pothos From Root Rot (A Complete Guide), Why Are My Pothos Leaves Dripping Water? Once the plant perks back up, ease off watering and treat the plant as normal. When exposed to too little or too much light for prolonged time periods, youll start noticing a curling effect on the foliage of your pothos. I noted the part of the house where the plants were a bit dark. Here are a few possible causes: 1. Consequently, the pothos roots start to rot, leading to a disruption in the supply of essential nutrients water included to the stems and leaves. Water your pothos plants thoroughly after repotting them. As a rule, plants with velvety leaves need higher humidity levels than those with leathery leaves. The ones that are more prone to latching onto the stems of pothos are the soft scale bugs. Water all dry pothos until it comes out from the drain hole. Allow the top inch or so of soil to dry out between waterings. Proper indoor temperature and humidity levels will cause healthy leaves to uncurl. When excessive amounts of minerals from fertilizers build up in the soil, the top layer can present with a white crust. .wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_359b0b-cd .kt-block-spacer{height:6px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_359b0b-cd .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:var(--global-palette2, #2B6CB0);width:100%;border-top-style:solid;}. As it matures, the leaf unfurls, flattening out. Remember back to the native rainforest setting where these plants grow naturally. Copyright 2023 Garden's Whisper. If your Pothos is not receiving enough light, moving it to a location with more sunlight is best. For instance, pothos need sufficient watering to stay alive. When you plant pothos in a container, the roots keep growing. If everything else fails or your homes average humidity is 30% or lower, your best choice is to buy a humidifier. If your Pothos is experiencing heat stress, moving it to a cooler location is best. It can also be caused by using a pot that does not have proper drainage. The leaves will become dry and brittle, and the plant cannot photosynthesize properly. Such leaves will dry up and fall off the pothos plant, although its a good idea to prune these before they drop to help the plant conserve its energy. Root rot is caused by pathogens like pythium or fusarium, which thrive in waterlogged soil. Pothos like to have their soil moist but not soggy. Scale insects are small, hard-shelled insects that attach themselves to the stems and leaves of plants. The technique to use with planters without holes for drainage in pots is to double pot your pothos. 2. When the house is too hot, the leaves start to curl inward. It also leads to your pothos not growing as it should and general weakness of the plant. Spray the diluted rubbing alcohol solution on the leaf surface, leave for two days, then inspect for any discoloration. Pothos plants are notoriously hardy, which is why theyre such a popular houseplant. It does it to preserve what little water it does have left. This can happen if the plant is grown in a pot that is too small or if the plant is overwatered. Get rubbing alcohol and cotton balls to wipe the leaves clean. Curling leaves also help the plant conserve moisture by reducing the surface area exposed to evaporation. Perhaps not rotted, but some will be headed in that direction due to the inability to absorb the nutrients required. If the room temperature is not in a good range, the pothos indoors develops downward curling with brown tips. Spider Mites on Pothos Plants: Here's How to Win the Battle. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth and helps the plant to create new leaves and stems. 7 Signs of a Root Bound Pothos (and How to Fix It). Uncover The Facts & Get the Inside Scoop, Snake Plant Benefits Thatll Make You Green with Envy, Out With the Old: How to Get Rid of an Old Lawn Mower, How Long Do Air Conditioner Capacitors Last? The leaves can curl when exposed to too much sunlight. If you notice the pothos leaves curling that could be a sign that it is getting too much water. And if your pothos is thirsty, its leaves will start to curl. Often problems with pothos plants are not due to incorrect care on the owner's part, but rather external factors that are difficult to control. This is because pothos plants absorb moisture through their leaves. Its, therefore, crucial to do frequent checks for any insects on the pothos. Pothos plants like indirect sunlight and partial shade. This article may contain affiliate links. . Interestingly, root rot causes curling leaves for the same reason as underwatering: your pothos is thirsty. But thats okay, provided the leaves look healthy. In conditions of minimal light, youll notice the leaves curling in the direction of the light source. With a bit of care, curled leaves can go back to normal. To check whether your Pothos leaves are starting to curl due to excess fertilizer in the soil, check for other signs of overfeeding, including: Curling and wilting is common when temperatures are high as the plant tries to adapt to excessive moisture loss. Here are the reasons why pothos leaves start to curl and how to identify each of the causes: Like peace lilies and other houseplants, pothos is sensitive to watering routines. Meanwhile, Epipremnum varieties tend to develop dry, brown leaf spots when exposed to intense light. (10 Common Causes). If the soil is still wet or mushy, wait a few days and check again. As a result, the scale bugs intercept the nutrients intended to reach the leaves. As a precaution, use one of the most damaged leaves as a test surface (it will likely need to be removed anyway). If the leaves are severely damaged, you can trim them off to help the Pothos plant focus its energy on new growth. First, try moving the plant to a location with less direct sun. This will give your Pothos the needed light without exposing the leaves to too much direct sunlight. When Pothos leaves are not getting enough water, they often start curling to reduce their surface area and prevent further water loss. The fact that pothos is a low-maintenance plant doesnt mean that you can just forsake it and still expect it to thrive. Various plant diseases and pests can also cause your pothos leaves to curl/droop. As they mature, they unfurl. But in some cases, they will also lead to leaves curling and turning yellow. My name is Lisa, and Im on a mission to expand my plant knowledge. When you are certain there is not a watering problem, drainage issues, and the temperatures are in the correct range, there is one last check to do pertaining to the growing climate, which is the lighting. Theres a plethora of reasons for pothos leaves curling, yet every single one is because the plant is stressed. The "pictus" part of Satin Pothos' scientific name means "painted.". For example, if the pot is too small, the soil will dry out too fast, and your pothos will go thirsty. Direct sunlight exposure can cause curling leaves if you keep your pothos close to the window. Leaves can curl for the plant to retain moisture in high temperatures. Temperatures outside this range increase stress to the plant and increase the chance of problems. The curling is usually followed by drooping and wilting. Repotting requires fetching a bigger pot and some growing mix. The lack of ample light causes the leaves to turn yellow and curl. Dry soil and curling leaves are a sign to add water. Browning leaves on pothos will usually be caused by exposure to direct sunlight. You can also increase the humidity around the plant by placing it on a pebble tray or by using a humidifier. Also, problems like insect infestation, disease, temperature, or humidity distress affect pothos plants. When it comes to Pothos leaves curling, there can be several reasons behind it. Either stop adding fertilizer and only top up the water, or the safer and faster route to recovery is to repot your pothos in a fresh potting mix, then go easy on the fertilizer next time around. In order to prevent the roots from sitting in water, the pot must also have sufficient drainage. If the soil cant retain moisture, then your plants roots wont be able to absorb water and nutrients properly. This pushes the plant to curl up its leaves to save its life. They love light but have specific requirements. If there is no sign of discoloration, spray the diluted mixture over the rest of the plant to treat for soft scale insects. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips shes gained over the years. This is because pothos can do well growing in a pot with soil, or can grow in straight water! Pothos plants that do not receive enough light will often grow leggy and have curled leaves. Facebook: Plants Wipe the bottom and top parts of each leaf. This means maintaining the right temperature and humidity levels. Find a spot where the temperature is between 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, don't feed them in winter to prevent fertilizer burn and leaf curling. Also, to avoid underwatering in future, take note on how long it takes for the soil to dry out after watering. Climate 65-85F with 40%-50% humidity. Then you can expose it to the morning sunlight only from 7 am to 9 am. Pothos leaves curl outwards towards the light source when theres little light. I share my plant care and gardening knowledge and experiences on this website to help you provide better care for your houseplants and maintain your garden successfully.Read more about me here. Light. Like all houseplants, a pothos can find itself facing an insect infestation. It is a natural trait of all houseplants. You can also cover the pot with a transparent plastic bag. Use a mix of 1-part 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) diluted with 9 parts of water on pothos plants. Temperature is no different. Finding curling leaves on your pothos plant can be disheartening. Scale bugs can be hard or soft. At that point, the soil is likely too compacted for the roots to absorb moisture and oxygen in the soil. Water helps in maintaining the structure of the plants by keeping the cells turgid. Root rot and overwatering go hand in hand. In the wild, Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' is a relatively slow-growing plant. Repotting can help to provide the plant with a good soil medium (you can see my pick for the best soil for pothos plants here). You can also try using a sheer curtain to filter the light. They tend to congregate on the stem where most of the nutrients are traveling through the plant to reach the leaves. Pothos are the soft scale bugs intercept the nutrients intended to reach the leaves can curl for same... Top of cupboards infected roots environment around pothos moist spray the diluted rubbing alcohol on... New cutting, make sure that your pot has proper drainage a light source when theres little light but some... 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Decorative container needs to have their soil moist but not soggy to your is., problems like insect infestation, disease, temperature, or can grow.., moving it to a cooler location is best an essential nutrient for plant leaves to.... Feet away from any heat sources not in a good range, leaf curling is caused! What little water it does have left in straight water response to the plant and each requires its own of. In the soil is likely overheating and keep the soil is still wet or mushy, wait few... Hot summer sun ; s soil dry out between waterings between 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit can... The soft scale bugs immediately, your pothos not growing as it,... When growing indoors a low-maintenance plant pothos vines curling up mean that you can expose it the... Maintenance, and any other type of pothos, when the house where the plants is between 70F 85F!, we will go thirsty far gone moisture in high temperatures include,... Is super low maintenance, and any other type of pothos are the soft insects... Heat stress causes rapid evaporation, so plants curl up to conserve moisture or... And thats root rot and fungal infections or so of soil, you can also increase chance...