If you’re a proud prayer plant parent, you know how fun it is to watch those colorful leaves dance up and down throughout the day. But it can be worrisome when those normally perky leaves start curling up instead
Prayer plant leaves that are curled, drooping, spotted, or brown usually indicate your plant is stressed and needs a little TLC. The good news is prayer plants are pretty hardy and bounce back well when given proper care. In this article, we’ll explore the top reasons your prayer plant’s leaves are curling and what you can do about it.
Underwatering Is the Most Common Cause
The #1 reason prayer plant leaves curl is underwatering. Prayer plants have shallow root systems and need frequent watering to stay happy. Their soil should be kept moist at all times but not soggy.
“If the soil dries out, the leaves will start to curl, go limp, or the margins get brown and crispy,” says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University.
An underwatered prayer plant may droop or wilt dramatically when it needs water. Leaves feel soft and lifeless instead of firm. Luckily, curling up from underwatering is reversible if caught early. Water your prayer plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Leaves should perk back up within a day or two.
If the leaves stay curled and new growth is stunted, the roots may be damaged from extreme dryness. Try water therapy – submerge the entire plant in room temperature water until new white roots grow. Then repot in fresh soil.
Low Humidity Also Causes Curling
Prayer plants thrive in humid conditions around 50-60% humidity. Homes often fall short, especially in winter when heaters blast dry air. Low humidity leads to curled up, crispy leaf edges.
“Prayer plants are native to tropical rainforests and their leaves will curl to prevent excess water loss” explains Christine Kobzeff, author of The New Plant Parent.
Luckily, it’s easy to increase moisture around your plant. Use a humidifier, place its pot on a pebble tray, or frequently mist the leaves. Avoid cold drafts and heating vents which contribute to dry air. A bathroom or kitchen tends to be more humid than other rooms.
Not Enough Light Can Curl Leaves
While prayer plants grow well in low to medium indirect light, a severe lack of sunlight causes leaves to curl and turn pale. Try moving your prayer plant to a brighter area without direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
A supplemental grow light is an option for low light rooms. Look for broad spectrum or full spectrum LED grow lights. Avoid intense high wattage options which can burn plants. Place the light 12-18 inches above the prayer plant for 12-14 hours daily. Leaves should uncurl as more light energizes photosynthesis.
Temperature Extremes
As tropical plants, prayer plants thrive between 60-80°F and suffer if exposed to freezing or extremely hot conditions. Leaves curl to conserve moisture if your home gets above 80°F. Prayer plants are sensitive to cold drafts below 55°F which can also cause leaf curling.
In winter, keep prayer plants a foot or two away from drafty windows and vents. In summer, don’t place them in hot window exposures without air conditioning. Stick within their ideal temp range and those leaves will unfurl.
Other Causes of Curled Leaves
While underwatering, dry air, and insufficient light cause most cases of prayer plant leaf curl, other factors can also be at play:
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Overwatering – Too much moisture suffocates roots and stops them absorbing water, mimicking drought conditions. Let the soil dry out between waterings.
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Old leaves – Older leaves naturally curl and die as the plant grows. This is normal as long as new leaves look healthy. Remove shriveled old leaves.
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Pests – Spider mites and thrips suck nutrients from leaves, causing curling. Check the undersides of leaves and stems for tiny pests. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil treatment if found.
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Diseases – Fungal and bacterial diseases disrupt nutrients and water flow in the plant, leading to curling. Avoid overhead watering and provide good air circulation. Remove affected leaves.
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Poor drainage – Wet soggy soil from a drainage issue harms roots. Repot in fresh potting mix and a pot with drainage holes.
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Salt buildup – Minerals in tap water and fertilizer build up over time. Leach the soil by heavily watering until flowing water removes salts.
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Shock – Major changes in environment like moving the plant or repotting can shock it. Allow the plant to adjust over a week or two before taking action.
How to Prevent Future Leaf Curling
Once you get those prayer plant leaves back to normal, keep them happy and uncurled by providing:
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Even moisture – Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Let excess water drain fully.
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Humid conditions – Use a humidifier, pebble tray, or frequent misting to maintain 40-60% humidity.
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Bright indirect light – Place in an east or west window or use a grow light to supplement.
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Ideal temperatures – Keep between 60-80°F and avoid cold drafts.
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Well draining soil – Use a potting mix made for tropical plants. Add perlite to improve drainage.
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Filtered water – Let tap water sit out overnight before using to remove chlorine and salts.
With a little TLC and ideal growing conditions, you can get your prayer plant thriving again. Pay close attention and act quickly at the first sign of curling to prevent lasting damage. With the right care, those colorful leaves will soon be dancing with happiness once more!
How do you fix Calathea leaves curling ?
FAQ
Can prayer plant leaves uncurl?
How to fix calathea leaf curling?
What does an unhealthy prayer plant look like?
Why are my prayer plants curled?
When new leaves emerge on a prayer plant they are curled until they unfurl and mature. Before you panic about curled leaves make sure they aren’t simply new growth emerging. You should be concerned if mature leaves begin to curl inward from the edges. Prayer plants prefer soil to stay consistently moist.
Why do prayer plant leaves curl at night?
Prayer Plant Leaves Curling At Night Again, prayer plant leaves that curl only at night is nothing to worry about. This behavior is actually what earned Maranta leuconeura its common name since the folded leaves resemble praying hands. Prayer plants curl up in response to a lack of light.
How do you know if a prayer plant is drooping?
You should be concerned if mature leaves begin to curl inward from the edges. Prayer plants prefer soil to stay consistently moist. If the soil dries out too much between waterings the leaves will begin to curl. An underwatered prayer plant also will display drooping leaves that are soft and limp to the touch.
How do you know if a prayer plant has a curling leaf?
Until the new leaf is completely unfurled, it may appear to have curling edges. It is usually easy to identify new leaves as their color will be pale compared to the more mature parts of the plant. This type of curling leaf is just part of a Prayer Plant’s natural growth and does not indicate any problem.
Do prayer plant leaves uncurl?
Yes, your prayer plant leaves will definitely uncurl if you treat the problem that’s causing it. The following are various methods that you can try in order to make your prayer plant leaves uncurl: If you see holes and discolorations in the foliage aside from curling, then your plant might be experiencing pest infestation.
Why do prayer plants close at night?
The Prayer plant is famous for the way it closes its leaves together at night, resembling a person praying. So if the leaves are healthy and green, just enjoy the spectacle! The leaves close to avoid excessive moisture from rainfall in darkness because conditions are warm and moist, which can encourage viral fungal infections to begin.