From my roots' perspective, the most common reason my beautiful, heart-shaped leaves begin to curl and droop is a simple lack of water. My root system is shallow and fine, not deep and extensive. When the top few inches of soil dry out under the hot sun, my roots cannot reach deeper water reserves. To conserve my precious moisture, I am forced to reduce my surface area exposed to the air. I do this by curling my leaves inward and letting them wilt. This is my way of saying, "Please, check my soil! If it feels dry to your touch, I need a long, deep drink of water to help my roots stay hydrated and transport nutrients to my leaves."
Conversely, my leaves may also wilt and curl if my roots are suffocating. While I love consistently moist soil, I absolutely cannot live in soil that is constantly soggy and waterlogged. When my roots sit in water, they are starved of oxygen and begin to decay. This root rot prevents them from absorbing any water or nutrients at all, no matter how wet the soil is. The result is that my upper parts, my stems and leaves, exhibit the same symptoms as being underwatered: they wilt, curl, and turn yellow. It is a cruel irony. Please ensure I am planted in well-draining soil and that my bed does not become a swamp.
As a plant that naturally thrives in the dappled light of the forest floor, I am not built for intense, full-day sun. When the afternoon sun beats down on me, it causes excessive transpiration—water evaporates from my leaves faster than my roots can replace it. To protect myself, I will curl my leaves to minimize sun exposure and reduce water loss. This is a clear stress response. If my location is too sunny and hot, my leaves may also become pale or scorched. I prefer a cool, partially shaded spot where the light is gentle, much like my native woodland home.
Sometimes, the distress in my leaves is a direct result of an invasion. Small pests like aphids suck the sap directly from my stems and the undersides of my leaves. This theft of my vital fluids weakens me and causes the affected leaves to curl, distort, and wilt. Similarly, fungal diseases, often encouraged by overly wet conditions or poor air circulation, can attack my root system or foliage. These pathogens disrupt my internal functions, leading to wilting, spotted, or curling leaves. Please inspect me regularly, especially under my leaves, for these tiny invaders or any unusual spots or growths.
Finally, if my leaves are wilting and turning yellow in the mid to late summer, please do not be immediately alarmed. This is likely my natural life cycle. I am a herbaceous perennial. After my spring blooming period, as the temperatures rise, I begin to retreat and prepare for my dormant rest period. My above-ground growth will naturally yellow, wilt, and die back. This is not a sign of distress but of a necessary rest. I am conserving my energy in my roots underground to survive the winter and return, refreshed and vibrant, next spring.
