From my perspective as an English Ivy plant, curled leaves are my most dramatic and unambiguous signal of distress. When my leaves start to curl inward, especially if they feel dry and brittle to the touch, it is almost always a cry for water. My root system is drawing moisture up through my stems to my leaves. When there isn't enough water in the soil, the internal water pressure within my cells drops. To conserve the precious little moisture I have left, I curl my leaves to reduce the surface area exposed to the sun and dry air. This is a survival tactic to slow down transpiration (the plant version of sweating). If you see this, the solution is simple: give me a thorough, deep watering until water runs freely from my pot's drainage holes. I will perk up, and my leaves should uncurl within a day or two as my cells rehydrate.
Paradoxically, my leaves can also curl if I am receiving too much water. This situation is more sinister. When my roots are constantly sitting in soggy, oxygen-deprived soil, they begin to decay. This condition is known as root rot. Once my roots are damaged and rotting, they cannot effectively absorb water or nutrients, no matter how wet the soil is. Essentially, I am dying of thirst while standing in water. The curling leaves in this case are a symptom of the same dehydration as underwatering, but the cause is a dysfunctional root system. The leaves may also turn yellow or brown and feel soft. If you suspect this, you must check my roots. If they are mushy and dark instead of firm and white, you will need to repot me into fresh, well-draining soil and trim away the rotten parts.
My leaves are a source of nourishment, and unfortunately, they attract unwanted guests. Tiny pests like spider mites, aphids, and thrips see my succulent leaves as a banquet. These creatures pierce my leaf surfaces and suck out the sap, which is rich in nutrients and moisture. This feeding activity damages my cells and drains my resources. In response, the affected leaves often curl, distort, or develop speckled yellow spots. Spider mites, in particular, are notorious for causing leaf curl and will often leave fine, silky webbing on my stems and the undersides of leaves. If you notice curling accompanied by tiny moving dots or sticky residue, I am under attack. You can help me by rinsing my leaves with a strong spray of water or using an insecticidal soap or neem oil to evict these pests.
As a plant that thrives in stable, cool to moderate conditions, I am sensitive to sudden changes in my environment. If the air in your home becomes too dry, especially during winter when heating systems are running, I will lose moisture through my leaves faster than my roots can replace it. This low humidity stress can cause the edges of my leaves to curl and turn brown. Similarly, exposure to extreme temperatures—either a hot draft from a vent, a radiator, or cold air from an open window—can shock my system. This thermal stress disrupts my physiological processes, and leaf curling is a common reaction. I prefer a spot with consistent, moderate temperatures and appreciate a boost in humidity, which you can provide by misting my leaves regularly or placing my pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water.
While I need bright light to maintain my vibrant variegation, I am not a sun-worshipper. Direct, intense sunlight, particularly the hot afternoon sun, is too harsh for my leaves. It can literally scorch my tissues, causing a condition akin to a sunburn. The damaged leaves will often curl, crisp, and turn brown at the edges as the plant tissue dies. If my leaves are curling and also show signs of bleaching or browning, I am likely getting too much direct light. My ideal location is one with bright, but indirect, light where I can photosynthesize happily without the risk of being burned.
