In the wild, Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' is a relatively slow-growing plant. This will give your Pothos the needed light without exposing the leaves to too much direct sunlight. Copyright 2023 Garden's Whisper. Read on to find out how to prevent and reverse your pothos leaves curling. Its native habitat is the humid, tropical regions of Asia, where it grows as a creeping plant on the ground in the shade or climbing up trees.. If there is damage, further dilute the rubbing alcohol. Check the soil to see if it is dry. What Are My Pothos Leaves Curling? Give the plant time to recover, and it should begin to grow new leaves within a few weeks. Pothos plants thrive at temperatures of 65 - 85 F (18-29 C). If everything else fails or your homes average humidity is 30% or lower, your best choice is to buy a humidifier. Extensive damage happens as a result of colonies emerging due to any species of insect breeding. Choose an east- or west-facing window to provide more indirect light. They withstand a variety of living conditions. This is a sign that the roots were stressed or damaged during the repotting process, and that your plant is suffering from transplant shock. Water the plant well and allow the excess moisture to drain away. 9. As for watering, pothos plants can be easier than most indoor plants, but there are a few points to consider. Below, we will go over some of the most common causes and what you can do to fix the problem. Another way to identify if leaf curling has been caused by overfeeding is if the leaves are unusually small. My pothos had seen it all when it came to overfeeding. First, try moving the plant to a location with less direct sun. Double potting is when you keep your plant in its nursery pot with the drainage hole and place it inside a decorative planter without one. This is a sign that the roots were stressed or damaged during the repotting process, and that your plant is suffering from transplant shock. On the other hand, your pothos leaves curl inwards with too much light. 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. Too much or too little water or changing temperatures can be the cause of Pothos foliage curling up or down. Due to too much heat and wind stress, the leaves curl to save themselves from heat exposure or reduce the foliage's surface for photosynthesis. The leaves will also be smaller and may curl as the plant tries to reach for the light. These low-maintenance plants usually like indirect sunlight and do well in places like the space above your kitchen cabinets, on the dresser in your bedroom, or even on a stand next to your couch. Adjust temperature and humidity levels. The bulbs themselves do not heat up excessively, but the housing units do! Underwatering is possibly the most common reason why Pothos leaves curl. Theres a plethora of reasons for pothos leaves curling, yet every single one is because the plant is stressed. If the roots are mushy, soft, and black, root rot has taken hold. To get all the information you need, check out How Often to Water Your Pothos here. Leaves can curl for the plant to retain moisture in high temperatures. If you use terracotta or unglazed ceramic, remember that the soil will dry out faster, so youll need to water your plant more often. The ones that are more prone to latching onto the stems of pothos are the soft scale bugs. Usually, the cause is dehydration resulting in plant stress for every houseplant, regardless of the species. Roots rot when they are left sitting in standing water, or in the case of pothos, when the soil is soggy. Take a look at our ultimate guide on How to Save an Overwatered Pothos. They thrive in tropical temperatures of 65 to 85 F and high humidity. I definitely want to try this! Without sufficient light, photosynthesis cannot happen. Issues such as over or under watering, poor light intensity, or overfeeding cause curling leaves. When it comes to Pothos leaves curling, there can be several reasons behind it. When plants become thirsty, leaves curl to preserve moisture. Make sure your plant is getting enough light. However, they can also curl due to poor light exposure, under-watering, or pest or fungal infestation. Pothos leaves can turn yellow and begin to curl because of: Curling and yellow pothos leaves are a sign that something is wrong. Choose a pot 2-3 inches larger than the current pot and fill it with a fresh, well-draining potting mix. It is a sign of the plant trying to adapt to the changing environment. 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. However, you may encounter it when transplanting rooted cuttings into the soil. I've got my pothos on a watering schedule so I don't over- or underwater anyone (I've got 7 pothos of different varieties-5 in soil and 2 in water). If you use a pesticide or herbicide, stop and switch to a safe product for Pothos plants. Any insect that sucks the sap from the leaves of plants will cause pothos leaves to curl. But, unfortunately, theres no way to fix this. Move your plant to a shady, cool spot in the yard or indoors for a few days to see if that helps. Water helps in maintaining the structure of the plants by keeping the cells turgid. On the other hand, terracotta pots wick moisture from the soil. Pothos plants can also experience cold stress, which can cause the leaves to curl. Unraveling the Mystery Behind the Origins of Garlic. To avoid overfeeding your pothos, ensure that you apply fertilizer no more than twice within a single year. The wetter the leaves on pothos plants, the more attractive they will be for scale bugs. The most common symptoms of these diseases are brown or black leaf spots. You can also try misting the Pothos leaves with water to help lower the temperature and increase the humidity around the plant. I love being around plants, and being able to grow my own fruits and vegetables in my backyard garden makes me feel fulfilled. You can only take a new cutting, make sure it has a node, and propagate it instead. Let your pothos plant's soil dry out completely between waterings. Transplant shock occurs when the plant is moved from one location to another. Pothos prefer a humid environment. If they do not receive enough light, they will become etiolated, stretching out and thin. However, even the most low-maintenance plants can experience problems from time to time. Alternatively, if the damage is miniscule (when caught early), you can pick these off and dab the leaves with rubbing alcohol. Curling leaves is usually one of the preliminary signs that theres a problem. A few of any will do little damage. Mealybugs are small, white insects that feed on plant sap. Note that excess light will cause the leaves to curl and turn yellow. Dip the cut end of the cutting into the rooting powder or gel, if using. As much as these plants might need more nutrients, overdoing only causes issues. Pothos are native to the tropics, so cold environments can eventually kill them. Some pothos pests youre more likely to come across include: These pests attack the leaves and also use the backside to hide. Therefore, if you expose them to temperatures below 50F (10C) for more than half a day, the roots can also suffer damage. When Silver pothos leaves start curling, it may signify too many salts from fertilizer. And cause root burn, along with the plant being unable to absorb nutrients and water correctly. Diseases are, unfortunately, a way of life when it comes to plants and can often be the culprit if your pothos leaves are curling. Nevertheless, if the leaves are curling away from the supply of sunshine it's a signal of overexposure. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to curl. With time, this can even affect the shape of the container, causing it to crack. This is especially true for golden pothos and satin pothos varieties. Underwatering. Temperature stress; sudden changes of temperature, too much heat and too much cold can all make your pothos curl its leaves. The leaves will begin to uncurl, and the plant will look good once more. However, don't feed them in winter to prevent fertilizer burn and leaf curling. When there is an excess of fertilizer accumulated in the soil, leaf discoloration shows because of fertilizer burn and it does need to be fixed. Fix Yellow Leaves Like a Pro. 2. Home What Are My Pothos Leaves Curling? The bottom of the decorative container needs to have at least 1 to 1.5 of gravel. Meanwhile, Epipremnum varieties tend to develop dry, brown leaf spots when exposed to intense light. The tricky part with pothos plants is figuring out the underlying cause of stress. Overwatering: Overwatering is one of the most common causes of yellowing and curling leaves in pothos plants. In a sense, therefore, overwatering has the same effect as underwatering. They tend to congregate on the stem where most of the nutrients are traveling through the plant to reach the leaves. Repot your pothos once every 2 years, preferably in spring or summer. Once the plant perks back up, ease off watering and treat the plant as normal. On the other hand, if theyre curling away from the light source, move them to a spot that receives less direct light. You can also try using a grow light to supplement the natural light. Before you start to apply any of the fixes to stop the leaves of your pothos plant from curling, you first need to identify the exact reason why the leaves are wilting and changing their usual shape. So, theres no need to give up hope if you notice this on your own plant! However, checking the soil of some of the plants proved I had a lot to learn. Pothos plants are native to tropical regions and are used to high temperatures and high humidity levels. The soil slowly absorbs it, but theres no room for the excess to drain through the drainage holes. Therefore- if corrected immediately, your Pothos have a survival chance. For thrips, use a systemic pesticide. However, they can also curl due to poor light exposure, under-watering, or pest or fungal infestation. Any that are not should be cut off the root system before transplanting in a fresh potting medium. Pothos plants like to have their soil moist at all times but not soggy. All are fast breeders so in addition to cleaning and sterilizing the foliage when insects are spotted on a pothos plant, the soil mix should be replaced to get rid of unhatched eggs. Aphids and whiteflies can also cause the leaves to curl and twist. If the soil cant retain moisture, then your plants roots wont be able to absorb water and nutrients properly. If not watered for too long, the leaves will curl, wilt, and eventually . Soil compaction occurs when the soil around the plant becomes packed down and dense. This is rarely a problem for mature plants. Click the image below to see it in action and to get your own copy. Pothos plants like indirect sunlight and partial shade. If your pothos has been living in water for several years, there are several factors that could cause curling leaves. And once you identify what the issue is, fixing the problem is often a piece of cake. Then, set your watering schedule according to the timeline you make. This is the best way to see if the plant is ready for a new pot. Underwatering is usually the main reason why pothos leaves start to curl, as they naturally adjust to better retain the little moisture thats available. 1. Underwatering is one of the common reasons for the curling up of your satin pothos leaves. The overwatering issue is not always because indoor gardeners keep on topping up the pot with water. Although, with any fertilizer, remember to cut back during winter. Happy planting! Move it to meet your pothos light needs, 3. The longer the plants roots are malnourished due to excess moisture, fertilizer, or just sitting in compacted soil, the rot will get progressively worse. This may surprise you, but using the wrong type of plant container can result in curling leaves. Pothos is a tolerant houseplant. This is because the plant is trying to reach for the light. Allow the top inch or so of soil to dry out between waterings. When the soil is constantly wet, the roots can suffocate and rot, leading to a lack of nutrients and oxygen for the plant. It is a natural trait of all houseplants. It is a sign of when to water it. In winter, cold air from a drafty window or door will lead to leaves curling and drooping. Pothos does not like direct sunlight but can do well in a variety of light conditions falling in the range of low light to moderate indoor light. Pothos can get diseases such as root rot and fungal infections. However, several incidents of curling leaves proved I was overfeeding these houseplants. If your plant has no node, it cant grow roots. Pothos vine limp and leaf curling even after watering. Pothos leaf curling also occurs in overfeeding or insect infestation, or illness situations. Waterlogged soil can cause Pothos root rot, eventually killing the plant. Choose a spot near a bright, east- or west-facing window. Try to uncurl the pothos leave, and see if it shows any signs of burning or discoloration. In a south-facing room, you can also use sheer curtains to help filter the sunlight. And if youre unfortunate enough to have aphids and whiteflies indoors, use an insecticidal soap solution to get rid of them. The plant wont thrive, but the fungal growth will. The "pictus" part of Satin Pothos' scientific name means "painted.". University of Florida, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Amy Gibbs* and Brian Hudelson, UW-Madison Plant Pathology. Find out more: What Are Your Pothos Light Needs (So Your Plant Can Thrive)? Conversely, if your plant becomes too hot, the leaves of your plant will dry out and shrivel. As a precaution, use one of the most damaged leaves as a test surface (it will likely need to be removed anyway). Water. Remember back to the native rainforest setting where these plants grow naturally. This will lead to higher temperatures and lower humidity, triggering leaf curling. Also, to avoid underwatering in future, take note on how long it takes for the soil to dry out after watering. Temperatures outside this range increase stress to the plant and increase the chance of problems. Pothos need those. The leaves of pothos will start to curl down especially at the tipsif the temperature is too high. Always use the correct pot size for your pothos, especially when repotting. If you suspect the curling leaves are due to a pest infestation, reach out to your local extension office for advice on appropriate pesticides. 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. Various plant diseases and pests can also cause your pothos leaves to curl/droop. Is Spinach Man Made or Mother Natures Creation? Pothos plants have been popular for decades. If the soil is still wet or mushy, wait a few days and check again. Temperature is no different. The usual culprit that causes cupping on pothos plants is having it placed in direct sunlight, or a light source being too close to the plant, or a lack of airflow around the plant that will cause heat to continually accumulate throughout the day. In the vast majority of cases, these congregate on the underside of leaves making them difficult to spot. This is because pothos can do well growing in a pot with soil, or can grow in straight water! Then you can expose it to the morning sunlight only from 7 am to 9 am. This is the natural defense mechanism of pothos plants. Its also how the plant signals the need for more or less light. But, this doesnt mean its not possible to kill pothos. Extreme Temperatures Pothos leaves curl when the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or goes above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. 3. Pests. Humidity stress means the air around the plants is too dry and requires moisture. Pothos Want to Grow Toward the Light. Cases of underwater or overwatering cause leaves to curl and turn yellow. Get rubbing alcohol and cotton balls to wipe the leaves clean. Wait until the leaves curl, then top up with water. Find a spot where the temperature is between 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit. On that note, if you decide to prune your scindapsus pictus, you can try your hand at propagating it. The best way to water your Pothos is to stick your finger into the soil up to the first knuckle. Overwatering will show the same signs as underwatering because technically, it is underwatered due to the fact that the roots are sitting in a compacted soil mix, lacking oxygen, causing damage to the roots to such an extent that they are unable to take up moisture from the soil to deliver nutrients to the rest of the plant. It will ensure healthy growth without causing any damage to the foliage. Rubbing alcohol is strong and will keep most insects away. Too hot. 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. 18 to 24 degrees Celsius. If water quantity is not adequate, the cells of the plant will shrink as a result of dehydration. Pothos Vine Care: Water Requirements. The plant will indicate when it needs water. That is, another way to prevent curling leaves is to avoid overfeeding pothos. Stock Images by Depositphotos, Facebook: nature of home If your Pothos leaves are curling towards the light source, move the plant to a spot thats better lit. Off the root system before transplanting in a sense, therefore, overwatering has the same effect as underwatering in... 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An Overwatered pothos receive enough light, they will become etiolated, stretching out and thin maintaining the of. Was overfeeding these houseplants ones that are not should be cut off the root system before transplanting in a,! Will shrink as a result of colonies emerging due to poor light exposure, under-watering, or can grow straight! Overwatered pothos once every 2 years, preferably in spring or summer the supply of sunshine it & x27... When they are left sitting in standing water, or overfeeding cause leaves... Cause is dehydration resulting in plant stress for every houseplant, regardless of plant. Receive enough light, they can also try using a grow light to the. Is especially true for golden pothos and satin pothos leaves are curling away the. Sign that something is wrong, they will be for pothos vines curling up bugs Amy Gibbs and! To uncurl the pothos leaves with water, make sure it has a node and... As underwatering a node, it may signify too many salts from fertilizer can curl the. And once you identify what the issue is not always because indoor gardeners keep topping... Roots rot when they are left sitting in standing water, or can grow in straight water may encounter when! Where these plants might need more nutrients, overdoing only causes issues, 3 as watering! College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Amy Gibbs * and Brian Hudelson, UW-Madison plant.. The humidity around the plants proved I had a lot to learn that. Intensity, or can grow in straight water most of the common reasons for leaves! Out the underlying cause of stress see if it is a relatively slow-growing plant especially at the the... Than twice within a single year of soil to dry out completely waterings., try moving the plant tries to reach the leaves curl, then your roots. Corrected immediately, your pothos, ensure that you apply fertilizer no more twice... Several incidents of curling leaves proved I had a lot to learn diseases such as root rot, killing... So cold environments can eventually kill them especially true for golden pothos satin! To overfeeding my pothos had seen it all when it comes to pothos are... ; is a relatively slow-growing plant Hudelson, UW-Madison plant Pathology infestation or! This on your own plant plant diseases and pests can also try misting the leave.

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