If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering why are my pothos leaves curling more than usual, you’re not alone. Many plant owners have asked this same question. 

Since these tropical houseplants can be quite sensitive to changes in their environment. 

Whether it’s from an unideal location or inconsistent care, there are several potential causes when the issue of curling pothos leaves arises. 

In order to address the source of this common problem and ensure that your beloved pothos stays healthy and happy. 

Let’s take a deeper look into why its leaves may be curling and what steps can be taken to resolve it.

7 Reasons why are my pothos leaves curling?

1. Under-watering

Water is the lifeblood of a pothos plant and without enough, it can cause their leaves to curl. 

This can be easily remedied by watering your plant more regularly and using the “soak and dry” method. 

This involves thoroughly soaking the soil until all the excess water has drained out of the pot before allowing it to dry out again.

2. Root rot from overwatering

If too much water is used, then root rot can occur, leading to curling leaves. 

To prevent this from happening, only water when needed and check for waterlogging regularly. 

Also, make sure that there are proper drainage holes in your pot, and use a potting mix that allows good drainage as well.

3. Temperature stress

Pothos plants require temperatures between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit (18-26 Celsius). 

If they are exposed to temperatures outside of this range, their leaves can start to curl in response. 

Solutions include keeping them out of cold winds or direct sunlight on hot days.

Provide adequate protection during colder months by using heating pads or other heating devices.

4. Wrong light quantity and exposure 

Too little light or incorrect exposures. Such as too much direct sunlight can lead to leaf curling due to a lack of energy for photosynthesis. 

Provide your pothos with indirect medium light. Such as near a window with blinds drawn during hot summer days. 

Otherwise, it will scorch their leaves if you leave them out in the direct sun for too long. 

5. Fertilizing too much 

Over-fertilizing can cause browning tips on the edges of leaves or even result in leaf curling. 

It depends on the type of fertilizer being used as well as how often it’s applied. 

Stick to an appropriate schedule for fertilizing once every 4 weeks or so. No more than twice per month, at half strength if possible. 

6. Bacterial wilt 

Bacterial wilt is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas cyanopsia.

It infects roots, stems, and leaves, causing leaf wilt and stunted growth, including curled leaves.

This is because the infection prevents them from absorbing nutrients from the roots.

Symptoms also include yellowing foliage so be sure to diagnose correctly before treating. 

Bacterial wilt requires fungicide treatment while other conditions may not need any chemical control at all!  

7. Pothos pests

Aphids, whiteflies and mesquite are known pests.

They can attack pothos plants, causing stress that can lead to leaf curling as well as other symptoms such as discoloration.

So be sure to check your plants every once in a while for any signs of abnormality.

Then spray them with neem oil diluted with water.

It should work wonders to get rid of these stubborn pests.

Can plants recover from leaf curl?

Yes, plants can recover from leaf curl. 

In many cases, this is as simple as making sure that your plant is receiving the right amount of water, light, and nutrients that it needs to thrive. 

Plant leaves may curl in response to too much or too little water, sunburn from direct sunlight, insufficient fertilizer, or even a sudden change in temperature. 

By addressing these possible causes and providing the necessary care and attention to your plant, the curled leaves will unfurl and return to their typical shape. 

Additionally, some plants respond well to misting with a spray bottle filled with room-temperature water. 

This can provide some extra hydration and help bring back healthy vibrancy to your plant’s foliage.

Should I remove leaves with leaf curl?

Removing leaves with leaf curl may not be the most effective way to control the disease. 

While it can help to reduce the spread of the disease, pruning infected shoots or removing diseased leaves has not been proven to improve its management. 

In addition, it is important to remember that symptoms of leaf curl typically appear in spring when new leaves develop. 

So efforts to remove affected leaves should focus on this period of time rather than later in the season.

How long does it take for a leaf to uncurl?

It can take up to several weeks for a leaf to uncurl from a curled state, depending on the amount of moisture in the soil. 

If the soil is properly and evenly moistened, it usually takes two or three weeks for the leaf to open fully. 

However, if there is inadequate moisture in the soil, this process can take much longer until enough water is absorbed by the roots. 

In some cases, a leaf may become stuck in its curled state if it doesn’t receive enough moisture over an extended period of time. 

For optimal uncurling of leaves, it’s important to make sure that the soil stays consistently moist. 

So that the roots can absorb enough water to help open up new growth.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with why are my pothos leaves curling, start by checking for signs of pests and nutrient deficiencies and make sure you’re providing adequate light and water. 

With diligence and effort, you can get your plant back to its lush green glory.