Fertilize your pothos with an adequately balanced fertilizer such as an NPK 10-10-10, diluted to half strength during spring and summer when the plant is actively growing. However, don't feed them in winter to prevent fertilizer burn and leaf curling. Fading leaves will only deplete the plant of energy. Avoid using home-made solutions as these may be toxic to your Pothos plant as well. 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. Before watering, check the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch. Why Are My Pothos Leaves Curling and How Can You Fix It? Ensure the plant is protected from direct sunlight and any wind or drafts. Therefore, if you expose them to temperatures below 50F (10C) for more than half a day, the roots can also suffer damage. If your Pothos is not receiving enough light, moving it to a location with more sunlight is best. Its a definite indicator that the plant is in distress. In such situations, you notice waterlogging at the top of the soil for some time. If left in continually damp soil, the plant's roots will rot. Also, to avoid underwatering in future, take note on how long it takes for the soil to dry out after watering. If you use terracotta or unglazed ceramic, remember that the soil will dry out faster, so youll need to water your plant more often. Pothos still need lots of light to keep growing healthy when growing indoors. Pothos cuttings take longer to root in the soil. One of the most common problems that Pothos growers face is curled leaves at the edges or tips. In order to prevent the roots from sitting in water, the pot must also have sufficient drainage. But if the air in your home is too dry, its leaves will start curling inwards in an attempt to preserve moisture. The leaves should uncurl in a matter of hours. The foliage will start to curl down at the tips if temperatures aren't in the range of 65-85 F (18-29C). But what causes of pothos leaves to start curling, and how can you fix the problem? Leaves often curl up to keep warm. In the vast majority of cases, these congregate on the underside of leaves making them difficult to spot. You may notice this problem in two cases: when youre propagating cuttings or if your pothos is growing in water. Its, therefore, crucial to do frequent checks for any insects on the pothos. The transition from water to soil can stress young plants, which will start curling their leaves in self-defense. Pothos plants can also experience cold stress, which can cause the leaves to curl. Firstly, and most importantly, this is because of overwatering the plant. Here's how to propagate your plant: Step 1: Gather a mature pothos plant, a small pot or jar, clean gardening shears, optional rooting hormone, and fresh soil (if rooting the cuttings in soil). Therefore- if corrected immediately, your Pothos have a survival chance. . The bottom of the decorative container needs to have at least 1 to 1.5 of gravel. The plant will indicate when it needs water. That is, another way to prevent curling leaves is to avoid overfeeding pothos. It's Too Hot. Pothos are native to the tropics, so cold environments can eventually kill them. Once the soil is dry, start watering again, but be sure not to water too often. Move your pothos at least 3 feet away from any heat sources. Here are a few possible causes: 1. This pushes the plant to curl up its leaves to save its life. Uncurling is possible if the affected leaf is still healthy and green. You may notice pothos leaves are curling after repotting your plant. Also, get rid of all dead leaves and vines on the 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. Underwatering is one of the most common causes of curling leaves in many houseplants, including satin pothos. I noted the part of the house where the plants were a bit dark. Use a balanced fertilizer that contains all the essential nutrients the plant needs. This will help the plants become established and reduce the risk of transplant shock. One common issue is pothos leaves curling up or inwards. Soon, the leaves turn yellow, then brown, and . Choose a pot 2-3 inches larger than the current pot and fill it with a fresh, well-draining potting mix. When the leaves are curling away from a light source, it is likely overheating. Get rubbing alcohol and cotton balls to wipe the leaves clean. Cut the vine of the satin pothos between two growth nodes, leaving around 1-2 of stem below the cut node. Common fungal and bacterial diseases that can cause the leaves of your pothos plant to curl include leaf spot, root rot, and blight. When the soil is constantly wet, the roots can suffocate and rot, leading to a lack of nutrients and oxygen for the plant. If your pothos leaves are curling downwards at the tips and the leaves are changing to darker shade of green, the most likely cause is too much fertilizer salts in the soil. Remember back to the native rainforest setting where these plants grow naturally. 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. It will ensure healthy growth without causing any damage to the foliage. I keep one in my plant area to check if its too hot or cold. Pothos prefer temperatures in the range of 65-85 F to grow healthy. They are used as an ornamental plant, as well as a houseplant that is easy to care for. Temperatures outside this range increase stress to the plant and increase the chance of problems. Conversely, if your plant becomes too hot, the leaves of your plant will dry out and shrivel. Temperature stress; sudden changes of temperature, too much heat and too much cold can all make your pothos curl its leaves. CAUSE: Heat stress causes rapid evaporation, so plants curl up to conserve moisture. If your pothos is sitting too close to a radiator or heating vent, hot drafts can cause the leaves to curl. If youre a beginner houseplant parent, youll probably ask yourself:What am I doing wrong? Dry soil and curling leaves are a sign to add water. Ensure to provide a light intensity between 10,000 and 20,000 lux for indoor Pothos plants. Direct sunlight exposure can cause curling leaves if you keep your pothos close to the window. The leaves respond by curling to retain the little water they have left, much in the same way as when underwatered. This popular houseplant grows in long tendrils and is perfect for hanging baskets. bagging really helps to increase humidity/decrease moisture loss from leaves. Repot with a clean potting mix (preferrably well draining soil). Pothos plants like to have their soil moist at all times but not soggy. For instance, pothos need sufficient watering to stay alive. To prevent pothos from excessive heat, do not put plants in direct sunlight and keep indoor plant pots with enough airflow. If Pothos leaves are curling, it could be due to some reasons, from too much or too little water to pests or nutrient deficiencies. To fix curling caused by overwatering, drain the soil completely by creating drainage holes on the planter. Pothos plants have been popular for decades. Make sure to place the plant in an area with good airflow to help it cool down. In the fall, thoroughly soak the plant with the solution . Provide bright indirect light. Underwatering can be fixed fairly easily, although its important to catch it in time before your plant is past the point of no return. When a Pothos is overwatered, the roots cannot absorb all the water and start to suffocate. As with overwatering and feeding a pothos too much fertilizer, the tips of the leaves curl downwards when root rot is in its early stages. Water the plant completely, up to the point when the bottom of the pot is completely submerged in water. If the soil is still wet or mushy, wait a few days and check again. You will also notice your regular or silver pothos leaves curling if the temperature of the room they are in is 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. Alternatively, you can install a drainage tray fixture underneath your pots. 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. Pothos prefers moist soil, so check the potting mix before watering and only add water if necessary. Wipe the bottom and top parts of each leaf. But, this doesnt mean its not possible to kill pothos. Light intensity plays a big role in the health of indoor plants such as pothos. Cases of underwater or overwatering cause leaves to curl and turn yellow. Begin by isolating the infected pothos, whether thats another room or even putting it on a balcony or porch if you have one (as pothos can live outside, although make sure though that its only receiving indirect light). Put them in water and refresh the water every week or so. Paying close attention to your plant and making simple changes to its care can make your Pothos look its best in no time. When plants become thirsty, leaves curl to preserve moisture. Overfeeding results from excessive use of fertilizers, or applying fertilizer way too frequently than is needed by the plant. This may surprise you, but using the wrong type of plant container can result in curling leaves. The problem isn't so much just the water itself, but instead that it leads to root rot. If the roots are mushy, soft, and black, root rot has taken hold. Temperature stress begins when the plants experience too much heat or not enough. While plants like pothos are low maintenance, they still require some level of care. 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. In addition, it can help to have a thermometer that checks the temperature in the house. Without diluting it, the alcohol concentration can cause leaf burn. Unraveling the Mystery Behind the Origins of Garlic. Adjust temperature and humidity levels. Another possibility is that the growth node is sitting above the water level. This could be from the fertilizer used, application method, or season. The leaves will become dry and brittle, and the plant cannot photosynthesize properly. If your plants leaves are curling and the soil in the pot is very wet, dont wait for it to dry. Choose a section with at least four leaves and two nodes. Pothos plants can also experience nutrient deficiencies, which can cause curling leaves. The plant wont thrive, but the fungal growth will. Handle root rot fast when you notice a plant with it since it can spread. If thats the case, replace it with room-temperature water. A location with more light (indirect rays are best) should help your plant perk up again in no time. As they mature, they unfurl. Pothos Vine Care: Water Requirements. Some pothos pests youre more likely to come across include: These pests attack the leaves and also use the backside to hide. Pothos leaves curl outwards towards the light source when theres little light. Is Spinach Man Made or Mother Nature's Creation? We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. At that point, the soil is likely too compacted for the roots to absorb moisture and oxygen in the soil. When too much fertilizer has been used, it is likely that some of the roots will be damaged. Pothos are the happiest when the thermostat is set the same way. On the flipside, overwatering your pothos can also trigger the curling of leaves. Move it to meet your pothos light needs, 3. Check the soil to see if it is dry. Outside, pothos get ample light when in an area with partial shade. Finding out about such matters helps prevent more leaves curling and even the death of houseplants. If your Pothos is experiencing transplant shock, the best solution is to give the plant time to adjust. Curled leaves are usually a sign that your houseplant is under distress. You can prevent pothos leaves from curling by watering and feeding them correctly. Throw away the old soil, and disinfect the pot. When theres excess water in the soil in which your pothos grows, the water inhibits oxygen supply to the plants roots. Rooting powder or gel (optional). The curling leaves show something needs to improve for the plant to thrive. If you suspect the curling leaves are due to a pest infestation, reach out to your local extension office for advice on appropriate pesticides. If the soil cant retain moisture, then your plants roots wont be able to absorb water and nutrients properly. One of the most common diseases though actually relates to overwatering, as just mentioned, and thats root rot. Yet this method only works if your cutting has a growth node. Nutrient deficiencies occur when the plant is not receiving the nutrients it needs to grow. Wait until the leaves curl, then top up with water. Once the plant perks back up, ease off watering and treat the plant as normal. Pothos leaves curling could also mean your ivy is not getting enough light. In the summer when humidity is at its highest. Climate 65-85F with 40%-50% humidity. If you use a pesticide or herbicide, stop and switch to a safe product for Pothos plants. If your pothos leaves are curling, it generally indicates problems such as over- or under-watering. There can be a few reasons why the leaves of your Pothos turn yellow: it could be that the light is too much, overwatering, the feeding is not correct, underwatering, cold or heat, repotting stress, bacterial leaf spot or simply that the leaf is old. If the soil feels dry, it is time to water. Rooting cuttings in water is the best way to propagate pothos. The bulbs themselves do not heat up excessively, but the housing units do! Extreme Temperatures Pothos leaves curl when the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or goes above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove old and fading leaves early and leave the brightest leaves to keep on growing bigger. Water the plant only when the potting soil is dry, and do not fertilize the plant for at least six weeks. Any that are not should be cut off the root system before transplanting in a fresh potting medium. As the roots rot and start dying, the plant cant use them to absorb water from the soil. However, that doesnt mean theyre immune to problems. Gently remove the plant from its current pot and place it in the new pot. But in some cases, they will also lead to leaves curling and turning yellow. When the house is too hot, the leaves start to curl inward. Choose an area where natural light comes in, but excessive sun rays wont harm the pothos leaves, including to ensure your pothos isnt sunburnt. Unfortunately, this only makes the problem worse. To ensure my pothos thrives, I place them in an area with ample indirect light. This is how the plant protects itself against the intense light. Meanwhile, Epipremnum varieties tend to develop dry, brown leaf spots when exposed to intense light. Consequently, the pothos roots start to rot, leading to a disruption in the supply of essential nutrients water included to the stems and leaves. The atmosphere inside the house must be right for houseplants. When the houseplant has an infestation, the leaves will start curling. They love light but have specific requirements. But overwatering may take a bit more work. Curling Leaves. It leads to rot and its usually caused by the pot being too big rather than plant parents being overly generous with watering. You can grow pothos in water or in a hydroponic system. Pothos plants that do not receive enough light will often grow leggy and have curled leaves. Extensive damage happens as a result of colonies emerging due to any species of insect breeding. In fact, you can propagate scindapsus pictus stem cuttings in water exactly the same way you propagate pothos cuttings in water. Pothos leaves curl when exposed to too much sunlight. A common misconception with LED grow lights is that they do not produce heat. Underwatering a pothos mostly happens when you forget about your plant, as these plants arent high maintenance so even the occasional watering will keep them happy. That is the reason for pothos to stretch towards light, resulting in a leggy pothos plant. Check the humidity around your plant. Also, problems like insect infestation, disease, temperature, or humidity distress affect pothos plants. A lack of nutrients can cause Pothos leaves to curl. My name is Lisa, and Im on a mission to expand my plant knowledge. If your Pothos is experiencing heat stress, moving it to a cooler location is best. Dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength and apply it to the soil every two weeks. You can also treat your Pothos with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remove the pothos from its pot, making sure to support the base of the plant, and look at the root ball. Keep the soil moist to avoid overwatering. Take into consideration that the ideal temperature for pothos refers to the temperature of the leaves and not the room temperature. Leaves on pothos should be flat. It can go on for some time if theres moisture since adding more will lead to overwatering. Interestingly, root rot causes curling leaves for the same reason as underwatering: your pothos is thirsty. If you notice the pothos leaves curling that could be a sign that it is getting too much water. In addition, if you find out that root rot has set in, make sure you take action accordingly as quickly as you can. For example, a pothos plant will have no problem with a few hours of direct sun in a room facing east or west. Presence of crusty or white sections on top of the soil. Light. I thought I was improving with my watering skills when it came to taking care of the pothos. It can also be caused by using a pot that does not have proper drainage. Pothos like to have their soil moist but not soggy. No part of the leaf should be curling upward or downwards. 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. Fortunately, this plant is super low maintenance, and theres a way to correct all the problems associated with leaf curling. Fix Yellow Leaves Like a Pro. If you want your pothos to flower, the higher humidity will be needed. It helps provide the plant with fresh soil medium without diseases and pests. The leaves will only curl in the beginning to retain enough moisture for sufficient growth. You may notice pothos leaves are curling after repotting your plant. Given both over- and under-watering can be some of the main reasons why your pothos leaves are curling, checking your watering schedule should be one of the first things you do. The leaf will absorb water for a while using capillary action, but without roots, it will slowly begin to die. I definitely want to try this! Soil Compaction. If pothos leaves are curling after repotting, destroy the whole plant and dispose of the soil. If you do choose to repot early, do some root pruning before popping your pothos in a fresh potting mix. Pothos cuttings dont grow roots from the bottom of the leaf stem but from small nodes located where the leaf petiole meets the stem. The leaves will begin to uncurl, and the plant will look good once more. 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