Bird of paradise leaves curling is a commonly observed phenomenon that calls for immediate attention. You may at this point start observing that your bird of paradise plant leaves is curled, turned upward, and have a lighter shade of green.
This is usually caused by dehydration, pest infection, sudden temperature changes, and varying soil pH levels. However, these problems are easily curable.
This article will explore potential causes for a bird of paradise leaves curling and how to fix them.
Contents
Why Are Bird of Paradise Leaves Curling?
Bird of paradise leaves curling would be due to water and humidity problems, the irrigating water quality, temperature stress, smaller rooting system. In addition, transplanting shock, lighting problems, and soil problems. In addition, due to pest attacks, dieases and nutritional deficiency.
– Water and Humidity Problems
The bird of paradise plant demands greater humidity levels of 60 to 80 percent to grow properly, and if this amount is not provided, then the plant will start to stress itself, and the leaves will start bending and curling. It coils its leaves in locations with low humidity.
Low humidity indicates that the plant has more moisture than its surroundings. As a result, the evaporation rate increases to compensate for the discrepancy, and the plant will be providing some moisture on its own through the chlorophyll and this will make it exhausted and curled.
On the other hand, when water loss exceeds expectations, the bird of paradise leaves curls downward to reduce surface area. Aside from curled leaves, low humidity creates huge dry areas on the leaves, which leads to leaves dropping or falling.
Low humidity is caused mostly by air conditioning and heating throughout the winter, causing the indoor bird paradise plant’s leaves to curl.
– Lacking in Water Quality
In a greenhouse, water quality is the most critical factor for your plants. You need to have the right water conditions to make sure that your plants can thrive. In case your plant is growing at a poor rate, showing signs of dryness or curling, or not growing at all, check the water quality.
The water you are using may include varying quantities of pollutants and trace minerals depending on where you live. In addition, it also matters what type of water you are irrigating it with, if it is tap water or a contaminated type of water.
These toxins can sometimes be present in amounts harmful to the well-being of your plant, like for example the excess of some sodium minerals which is the plant is not used to, or the pH of the water may be too low and the plant will be stress. The damage caused by poor water quality can lead to leaves stress causing them to curl or at worst, they might even drop.
– Temperature Stress
When temperatures drop, many plants respond by curling their leaves. This is a natural response to protect the plant from extreme cold or freezing temperatures. Plants do this by reducing surface area and increasing the number of layers of cells between the leaf and the cold air.
In addition, curled leaves better reflect heat, so they have a lower probability of freezing. This happens to many plants but is more common in tropical plants, such as in this given case. Because the bird of paradise is not a hardy plant, it is usually cultivated as an indoor plant.
However, owners frequently move their birds of paradise outside during the summers for better growth, but again even in a heated temperature where it can no longer develop itself, it may show these signs of stress.
There are often nightly cold periods in the summer that causes the leaves to curl and even turn crimson, when the weather drops suddenly, out of the norm of the plant.
– Small Root System
In the case of a bird of paradise, one of the most common reasons for curling leaves is a small root system, and where it would receive its nutrients from. Its limited root system does not meet the plant’s water and nutritional requirements. This causes the leaves to curl, as well as symptoms such as dryness and yellowing that would follow the curling process.
The plant requires good drainage and should be planted in a well-drained pot. The pot should contain a very porous, fast-draining soil mix and should be planted in a pot with as little soil as possible. It would be best if you only watered it when the soil dries out completely, and may even be fatal for the paradise plant.
– Transplant Shock
Transplant shock is a common problem when transplanting plants, mainly tropical plants. When you transplant a plant from one pot to another or from one location to another, the shock of the move can cause the plant leaves to curl and twist, because this is a new environment for the roots to try and get used to. Some plants are more susceptible to the consequences of a transplant shock than others.
As a general rule, the more sensitive the plant, the more likely it is to suffer a transplant shock. Transplant shock is caused when plants are exposed to extreme conditions, which is due to the new enviornment.
The most common cause is moving a plant from an area with high humidity to an area with low humidity, which is the new place that you brough and it got shocked.
It doesn’t matter what the size of the plant is. It is under stress if you transplant it from one extreme condition to another or even in varying conditions. The transplant shock will cause the plant leaves curling, to wilt, leaves to turn yellow, or die but this process is a big change for the plant, that is why it’s shocking.
Another common cause of transplant shock is moving a plant that is used to receiving a lot of water to a dry area. In both cases, the change in conditions can cause leaves to curl and twist.
The best method to avoid transplant shock is to prepare your plants for their move. This is done by gradually acclimating the plant to the new conditions before the transplant, to avoid this shock and its consequences.
– Lighting Problems
The bird of paradise is a beautiful tropical plant that blooms with gorgeous flowers. It is a trendy house plant widely known for its colorful, vibrant flowers. The plant is a tropical plant that needs to be kept in a warm environment during the winter.
Determine a position in your house where your bird of paradise will receive bright, indirect, and direct sunlight, note that it hasn’t been placed in this area before, so it will go through some kind of a stress.
Your bird of paradise will thrive in brilliant indirect light or mild direct sunshine. The plant should be kept in a bright place. If a plant is exposed to excessive sun, it can cause it to burn. If there is not enough light, the flowers will not bloom as they should, and the leaves will start to bend.
– Soil Problems
If you find your bird of paradise leaves curling and falling off, there may be issues with the plant’s soil. This is especially true if the plant is potted in a container. The low soil quality can be an issue for your bird of paradise plant, because the soil may not be as fertile or it may also be nutrient deficient.
Often, the soil is deficient in nutrients or is inadequately drained, and water will sit on top, causing the plant to get confused. The soil moisture is another factor contributing to leaves curling or wilting.
The pH level of soil can also cause problems for the plant. If the soil is alkaline, the plant will most likely face growth problems. Chlorosis arises due to the plants’ inability to get all essential nutrients in such soil.
Chlorosis symptoms include fading leaves with green veins and the inward curling of the leaves. Planting your bird of paradise in soil with the proper nutrients, pH, and structure is critical for maintaining bright, healthy leaves.
Because the bird of paradise plant is a heavy feeder, it requires nutrient-rich, well-draining soil to thrive. The optimum soil will be slightly acidic, ranging from 5.5 to 7.5.
– Pest Attack
When sap-sucking animals such as spider mites, mealybugs, scales, and thrips infest birds of paradise, the plant’s leaves curl, and this would be a sign for you to check about these pests that are tiny that you wouldn’t have noticed. These bugs in this situtaion would suck the sap from the plant, depriving it of moisture and causing curled leaves.
When these sap-sucking pests infest a bird of paradise plant, it develops holes in its leaves and brown or yellow spots. This happens because they suck the fluids, dehydrating the leaves. Some include poisons that cause leaf deformation and curling.
The specific pest that attacked your bird of paradise plant will determine the signs of pest infestation. Holes, curlings, deformtaion, stains which can be brown, yellowish, or black, webbing, honeydew, and sooty mold are all, however, clear indications.
– Disease Issues
You might wonder why is your bird of paradise curling and dying despite all conditions being normal. Out of many other reasons, sometimes, curling leaves result from an underlying disease or pest problem.
The curling occurs as the plant tries to protect itself from the disease. Several fungal or bacterial infections can cause disease in your plant, which can hinder the physiological functioning of your plant.
Because the bird of paradise prefers moisture, a fungal infection is always possible. This is known as root rot or leaf spot. While root rot might frequently be too advanced to preserve the plant, brown spots on the leaf can usually be treated and managed, from the weak state that it is placed in.
– Nutritional Deficiencies
Lastly, if you do not update your potting mix and fertilize your plants, your plants may suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Curling leaves can be caused by a lack of calcium, boron, potassium, nitrogen, copper, magnesium, and phosphorus.
However, this is an unusual cause of the bird of paradise leaves curling, because the stems need to transfer these to the leaves, and when the soil is lacking, or you havent been placing any fertilizers, it will start to get weak and show some obvious signs.
The symptoms to look for will differ depending on the nutrient deficiency. Deformed leaves, stunted development, chlorosis, and leaf loss or even color fading are some symptoms. Other symptoms include leaf necrosis, leaf curl, and thickening.
How To Stop Bird of Paradise Leaves Curling?
To stop bird of paradise leaves curling, you must provide moderate temperature, make sure you give the appropriate watering needs, protect it from various pests and diseases that it would face and lastly you must even provide a fertile soil for the plant.
– Moderate Temperature
In warmer climates with no cold nights, the leaves of the bird of paradise plant may curl up at the ends. In some cases, these leaves start turning yellow and drop off. Curling leaves don’t necessarily mean the plant is unhealthy. One cause of this curling may be the temperature of the air surrounding the plant.
If the air around your bird of paradise is too hot, the leaves may curl. It will eventually result in leaves turning yellow and falling off if the temperature is too low. The key to curing this problem is exposing your plant to the right temperature.
Note that if the leaves aren’t curling but turning brown and dropping off, that might be a sign of a nutrient deficiency. If you notice this problem, try to fix this problem by adding some fertilizer, and move the plant to a place where it will be safer because of the more adequate temperature.
– Appropriate Watering
Dehydration is one of the key reasons why the bird of paradise leaves curl. Because of its massive leaves, this plant loses a lot of moisture daily. It will curl inward if not given enough water.
Before repairing the underwatered plant, ensure the top two to three inches of soil are entirely dry or 50 percent dry. To test, stick your finger or a stick into the soil.
Drip water on the plant immediately until it drips through the drainage pores. Alternatively, soak the soil in a water basin for around 40 minutes. When finished, drain any remaining water from the saucer.
Next, water the plant more frequently and at different times to create a regimen that keeps the soil moist.
In addition to this, you may also note that this plant appreciates proper humidity and a humid enviornment, hence, you can always adjust the moisture levels by either placing a pebble tray near it, or investing in a humidifier.
However, you may even mist it with some spraying water bottle, to increase the humidity and see the leaves straight again. Note that you shouldn’t over-do this, because it may harm the plant in the long run.
– Protect From Pests And Diseases
The bird of paradise plant is an impressive addition to any yard or landscape. These plants are easy to grow and are not picky about the type of soil they are in or the amount of sun they receive.
However, some pests and diseases can attack a bird of paradise plant. If you notice anything like this, immediately wash it under running water. Because mites dislike moisture, a shower of water is enough to eliminate them.
Check your plant for bugs on a regular basis. At the first sign of pests, spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil, because they will repel from your plant and it will no longer be too stressed. You can also treat the plant once or twice a month as a prophylactic measure.
Another option that you can consider is taking appropriate action to prevent bird of paradise from infesting your plant to avoid ending up with a dead plant, and this would be to spray it with insecticidal spray to get rid of the pests or insects.
– Provide Good Soil
Plant your bird of paradise in a loose substrate with lots of compost to ensure it does not suffer from a lack of nutrients. The compost will not only make the soil more fertile, but it will also slightly acidify it. The probability of chlorosis is considerably decreased in slightly acidic soil.
Note that you may fertilize your bird of paradise once a year as well, especially with the nutrients that this plant would need to keep itself healthy. For this purpose, slow-release fertilizer is preferable.
This method will give your plant the essential elements needed for the growing season, and you do no have to worry so much about burning it, because the soil, already has a slow-releasing type of fertilizer that will keep the growth at a healthy range.
FAQs
– What Is The Treatment For Overwatered Birds Of Paradise?
Stop watering your plant if it has been overwatered, let the soil dry out, and make sure the soil mix has sufficient drainage. To hasten soil drying, relocate your bird of paradise to a bright and well-ventilated location.
– Can Curled Leaves Get Normal Again?
Curling leaves happen, and they’re easy to cure. Check your plants’ water levels, soil, lighting, and leaves for pest infestations if you see them. Once you’ve resolved the potential issue or plucked the curled leaves, your plant should appear as good as new in no time.
Conclusion
Underwatering, overwatering, low humidity, cold drafts, heat stress, and other factors can cause bird of paradise leaves to curl and become yellow. Even if your plant appears to be doing well, curled leaves of the bird of paradise suggest a problem.
You must first identify the reason and then take corrective action. Here’s a summary of what you just read:
- The leaves might curl due to a lack of water, overwatering, or low humidity.
- Excessive sunlight and abrupt temperature fluctuations can cause the leaves to curl, through stress. Determine your plant’s required hours of light and relocate it to a warmer place based on your experience.
- Another reason the bird of paradise leaf curls is insufficient pot size and bad soil. Every two years, transplant the plant into an enormous container and utilize a loose, nourishing medium.
- Certain illnesses and parasites can also cause curling leaves. Spray the plant with gardening oil or fungicide to alleviate the issue.
An exotic plant, the bird of paradise, is often grown as garden ornaments. We hope now you know what works best for your bird of paradise. Keep an eye on your plant and protect it from potential harm.
References
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/24987520
- https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/plants/bird-paradise
- Hoya Aldrichii: The Best Practical Care You Wish You Knew Sooner - March 16, 2023
- Begonia Fuchsioides: Learn The Care Tips For Begonias - March 16, 2023
- Begonia Acetosa: The Most Comprehensive Care Guide - March 16, 2023
