When my leaves curl or crisp, the first thing I am likely telling you is that my water balance is off. This can happen in two ways. Most commonly, my soil has become too dry. My roots are delicate and when they cannot draw up water, my leaves lose turgor pressure—the internal water pressure that keeps me firm. They curl inward in a desperate attempt to reduce surface area and conserve moisture. The crisping, especially at the edges, is a sign that this drought stress has been going on for a while, and leaf cells are actually dying. Conversely, if my roots are sitting in soggy, waterlogged soil, they begin to rot and suffocate because they cannot get oxygen. A rotten root system cannot absorb water, leading to a similar outcome: my leaves will wilt, curl, and eventually crisp up, even though the soil feels wet. You must check my soil moisture with your finger before watering.
As a plant that thrives in moderate to high humidity, I find the dry air typical of many homes, especially those with heating or air conditioning, to be very challenging. My leaves are constantly losing water vapor to the air through tiny pores called stomata. When the air is very dry, this water loss happens too quickly. To protect myself, I curl my leaves to slow down the transpiration rate. If the dry air persists, the edges of my leaves, which are furthest from the veins that deliver water, will start to turn brown and crisp. This is a direct scorching from atmospheric dryness, not from the sun. Misting my leaves, placing my pot on a tray of pebbles and water, or grouping me with other plants can create a more humid microclimate that I will appreciate.
While I need bright light to produce the energy for my beautiful flowers, my leaves are sensitive to intense, direct sunlight, particularly the hot afternoon sun. Think of my native habitat as dappled light under a forest canopy. When the sun is too strong, it literally scorches my leaf tissue, causing it to bleach, turn brown, and become brittle and crisp. At the same time, the heat from the intense light increases water loss, which can cause the leaves to curl as a protective response. If you see my leaves curling and crisping, with the damage appearing on the sides facing the light source, it is a clear sign that I am getting sunburned. Please move me to a location with bright, but indirect, light.
Sometimes, the problem is not my environment but tiny pests that are feeding on me. Aphids, spider mites, and thrips are common attackers. They pierce my leaves and stems to suck out the nutrient-rich sap. This feeding damage disrupts the flow of water and nutrients, and the loss of sap can cause my leaves to distort, curl, pucker, or yellow. As the damage continues, the affected areas, especially where the pests have been feeding most heavily, will often turn brown and crisp. Please inspect the undersides of my leaves and along the stems for any signs of these pests—look for tiny insects, webbing, or sticky residue. A strong spray of water or an application of insecticidal soap can help evict these unwelcome guests.
Although less common than the other issues, a lack of certain nutrients can also contribute to leaf problems. I am a heavy feeder when I am actively growing and blooming. If I am not receiving a balanced fertilizer, a deficiency in nutrients like potassium can manifest as browning or crisping leaf margins. The leaf curling is usually more subtle in this case, but overall, I will not look my best. Ensuring I am fed with a diluted, balanced fertilizer during my growing season can prevent this issue and keep my foliage lush and green.
