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Why Are My Plant's Leaves Curling?

Last reviewed: October 2026

Quick answer

Houseplant leaves curl when the plant is too dry at the roots, when the air is dry and the light is bright, or when sap-sucking pests such as aphids or mites feed on new growth. Check the roots and the undersides of the leaves first.[1][3][4]

Causes and how to tell them apart

  1. Too little water[1][2]

    How to tell: Tip the plant out of its pot. Rusty orange to light brown roots point to underwatering. Dark brown to black roots point to overwatering instead.

  2. Dry air with bright light, or cold and dry conditions[3]

    How to tell: In bright light and dry air, leaves of some plants curl inward. In cold, dry conditions, some plants curl their leaf edges outward.

  3. Uneven watering or temperature swings while new leaves grow[3]

    How to tell: The leaves look crinkled or creased rather than rolled, and the damage shows on leaves that grew during the uneven period.

  4. Aphids[4]

    How to tell: Look for small insects on new growth and leaf undersides, shiny sticky sap, and white shed skins. Curling with distortion on new leaves fits aphids.

  5. Tiny mites (broad or cyclamen mites)[4]

    How to tell: These mites are too small to see. Look for thickened, brittle new growth with leaf edges cupped downward. Chemical injury can look the same.

  6. Thrips[4]

    How to tell: Check leaf undersides for slender insects, scarring or stippling, and shiny black dots of excrement. Heavy damage can leave silvery-gray patches.

What to do, step by step

  1. Tip the plant gently out of its pot and check the roots. Dry, rusty roots mean more water. Dark, soft, rotted roots mean cut back on watering.[3][2]
  2. Aim for moist potting mix. Avoid both soggy soil and bone-dry soil.[3]
  3. Keep the plant away from drafts and sudden temperature changes, and move it if its spot is wrong for it.[3]
  4. If the air is dry, add humidity, for example with a tray of damp pebbles under the pot.[3]
  5. Check new growth and leaf undersides for pests. Wash soft-bodied insects and mites off with water, and throw away infested plant parts.[4]
  6. If washing is not enough, insecticidal soap or horticultural oil is the next step. Check the label first to make sure your plant tolerates it.[4]
  7. Keep an affected plant apart from your other plants until the problem is solved.[4]

How to prevent it

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Frequently asked questions

Can underwatering make leaves curl?

Yes. Long-term underwatering can cause wilting and leaf curling. Tip the plant out of its pot and check the roots: rusty orange to light brown roots mean it is too dry.[1][2]

Why are my plant's leaves curling and sticky?

Sticky leaves with curling and distortion on new growth often mean aphids. They suck plant juices and leave a shiny sticky sap called honeydew. Washing them off with water is the first step.[4]

Why do my plant's leaves curl inward in a bright window?

In bright light and dry air, leaves of some plants, such as Maranta, curl inward. Check the spot, the air and the watering together.[3]

Related plant problems

Sources

  1. Clemson HGIC: Houseplant Diseases & Disorders
  2. University of Illinois Extension: Keep houseplants happy with simple solutions
  3. Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): Leaf damage on houseplants
  4. UC IPM: Houseplant Problems

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Sources: the university extension and horticultural society pages listed above. Last reviewed October 2026.