Spider plant leaves curling is a common sight for many gardeners. Your leaves may be curling due to various reasons, for example, usually flat leaves may curl due to stress.
These stress factors may include lack of water levels, improper light, or reasons due to diseases and pressures by pests such as root rot or insects. Read this article to the very end to understand why the plant leaves curl and how to treat these symptoms.
Why Are Your Spider Plant Leaves Curling?
Spider leaves are curling because of several common issues related to why your plant foliage is curling including limited water, overwatering plants resulting in root rot, curly spider plants infested by pests, infected by spider mites, and prone to extra light.
– Lack of Water
Not watering enough is one of the most familiar causes of curly Spider plants. With a lack of water, the leaves start to spin in on themselves, turning curled and wrinkled.
Water is a major factor in assisting the leaves to hold their form, which is why plants normally wither when they have insufficient water. With spider plants, that wither results in the foliage curling rather than going limp.
To check whether this is the problem causing your precious plants to curl, you can make use of the following two methods. You can use a wooden chopstick to feel the soil, or even your finger will suffice.
By doing this, you can feel the amount of moisture in the soil. A better option, however, would be to use a moisture meter, as you would acquire a more accurate reading. And this could be the key reason, which is the lack of proper watering.
– Lack of Mositure
In general, spider plants are usually an easy variety to grow and maintain if they receive enough moisture. When lacking the right humidity, spider plants will begin to lose their vigor and dry out fast.
Such plants are not healthy and can not tolerate disease and pest attacks, or extreme temperatures because of being weak, and this would cause in curling of the leaves. The spider plant is generally a moisture loving plant and needs moderate watering in growing seasons.
In winters, the plants will need less water and can forgive a few days of missed watering. In the growing season and in summers, it requires water frequently to rise the moisture level. Additionally, the frequency of watering also depends on how fast water evaporates.
– Heavy Sunlight
If your plant is located in strong and direct sunlight, this will lead the leaves to curl in on themselves to try to defend themselves from the intense sunlight. It may also look bleached or charred. If this situation continues, small and distorted leaves also follow. In short, if you maintain proper light conditions and follow plant care rules, your plants will remain healthy.
Spider plants come from tropical areas, where they are located in the semi-shaded spots underneath the rainforest canopy. As a result, they are more adapted to the bright but diffused light of most homes and offices which operate greatly for them, but too much natural light can scorch them.
A visual characteristic of this on the plant leaves can be seen as the occurrence of white spots along with the fading of the white variegation to green.
– Root Rot
Excess watering of your plant can also cause spider plant leaves curling and the formation of root rot. Too much water results in root rot, in which the plant’s roots drown in the water and start to deteriorate.
However, the rest of the root system, if there still is any remaining, cannot nourish the plant, so you will see signs of stress as it starts to lose its ability to receive the right amount of water and nutrients normally drawn up by the roots. Unfortunately, multiple beginner plant keepers usually misunderstand this wilt as a scarcity of water, which further complicates the issue.
The preferable place to check when you catch your plant foliage curling is the soil. The health of the soil will also affect damage control in case of root rot.
If it’s soggy, has an unpleasant aroma, or there are signs of perceptible decay or fungus, your plant is possibly a victim of root rot. Like underwatering, overwatering can also be an issue when it comes to the cause of your leaves curling.
It is recommended to treat this problem as soon as possible because the plant roots can drown in the excess water. Waterlogged soil also holds less amount of oxygen, thud can choke the roots, and the leaves will curl.
Besides this, then waterlogged roots also provide a conducive environment for Root rot fungi, which can ultimately kill your entire plant. They settle in the soil and eventually lead to root rot.
– Aphids
Aphids are soft-bodied insects that vary from gray to green to brown and even rusty orange and usually crowd on leaves in massive numbers if the infestation goes unhindered, absorbing nutrients and water from the leaves.
These small insects attack the leaves of your spider plants and suck their sap. They cause the leaves to curl up and also stimulate the production of yellow leaves.
Aphids are serious plant pests as they suck out the plant juices from your leaves containing important nutrients needed for the healthy growth and development of your Spider plant. Thus, if left unchecked, these pests can cause serious harm to your leaves by causing them to curl up due to malnutrition.
Aphids can be hard to see because the thin, grass-like edges make an excellent concealment place, particularly as the plant gets stressed and the leaves start to curl. If your plant has sufficient water but is still stressed, inspect the leaves closely for the manifestation of pests.
– Spider Mites
Another typical houseplant pest, spider mites are extremely tiny and hard to see. They are most commonly found in hot, dry conditions. They can cause the leaves of your plants to turn yellow and die. If left unchecked, spider mites can spread quickly and kill your entire plant. Examine your plants carefully, especially the underside of leaves for these tiny pests.
How To Fix Curling Spider Plant Leaves?
You can fix the curling spider plant leaves by starting to appropriately watering, then making sure it has good drainage, relocating it to a shady spot, curing the root rot, controlling the pests that have attacked it like aphids and spider mites, and even other types of pests.
– Appropriate Watering
Given that under-watering is one of the simplest problems there are, its solution is also rather simple. You will also be glad to know that your precious spider plants normally spring back fast once watered. Note that these plants like to remain dehydrated and should be watered before the soil goes completely dry.
The roots are prevented from getting waterlogged, while still grasping onto enough to keep your plants content. The soil should be damp, not wet, almost an inch under the surface. Many farmers make the mistake of just watering the top layer of soil, but for these plants, deep thorough watering is required. This will keep the soil hydrated, too.
As soon as your plant is watered again, the leaves should return to normal. In case the spider plant’s leaves remain curled, that means the issue does not lie only on the water level, but there are other factors as well that are affecting the plant.
A helpful tip is to grow your spider plant in a pot with holes for drainage in it so that the excess water can easily get eliminated. This will also help to keep the soil light and dry.
– Adjust the Moisture
Like many other plants, the Spider plant grows best in a constant, average level of moisture. So, all you need to do to keep your plant happy is provide it with little, regular watering, and by utilizing an unglazed pot with good drainage.
Gently place your index finger into the soil to check if it is parched, and if the top one inch of the soil is dry, it is time to water your spider plant. In addition, you can even mist the plant to reach its proper moisture level, or include a humidifier around it, because it thrives in 60 to 80 percent humidity.
Remember that when they are lacking in their moisture level, the plant is going to be stressed, however, you must make sure that as you cure the curling leaves from its moisture level, you don’t go overboard with it and cause the foliage to turn brown.
Overall, aside from misting to increase the moisture level, you can even try placing pebbles as they will trap the high humidity level in the plant.
– Proper Potting
If you notice that the soil has remained wet since your last watering, then there is a high possibility that you have a drainage problem. To avoid this issue, you can check whether the pot size of your spider plant is correct and if it has a hole in the bottom to assist drainage. In the case that it doesn’t, it is highly recommended that you repot the plant.
Also ensure that any existing drainage holes in your old pots, if any, aren’t clogged. If they are, then you will most probably need to repot your plant. The drainage holes can be prevented from clogging in the future by covering them with something that lets the water drain through. A broken piece of pot shard, a small rock, or plastic mesh are good choices.
– Curing Root Rot
The treatment of this condition depends on how advanced it is and how much damage it has done. Release your spider plant from its pot, flush away the excess spoil, and levy the roots. Trim away any that are messy, black, or squishy.
If the rest of the root system is extremely tiny, you may still be able to rescue the plant, but you will be required to cut back or prune the leaves as well so that the roots are capable of supplying enough water and nutrients to go about.
Move the pruned plant into a pot with fresh soil and fine drainage. Water properly, and make sure any excess liquid saps away. Keep to a thorough watering schedule as a routine while your plant recovers, making sure not to let it dry out or sit in soggy soil.
– Relocate
If the leaves are curling up because of too much sunlight, you can relocate your spider plant out of direct light and wait for it to heal. In addition, you may also try rotating the plant so that it doesn’t receive full sunlight.
Remember that this plant likes to receive indirect light, so you can place it behind a translucent curtain, or even a bright place that won’t have spotlight sunlight coming. The leaves should start to flatten fast, once it is in better condition. If not, check for other problems.
Once it has recovered, cut away any leaves that were poorly harmed by sun exposure, specifically those that are overly bleached or burned. Hence, to make sure your plant does not burn, or curl it is important to keep it away from full sunlight.
In addition, you can even try placing your plants in a well-lit room will be perfect for their growth. It can also be kept in bathrooms that get indirect light.
– Controlling Aphids
Aphids are identified as tiny bugs under the leaves. In case your plants have been infected by these sap-sucking insects, there are several solutions for you to use to get rid of these pests.
You can manually remove the aphids using a dry paper towel, and then gently crush them. Nevertheless, there are far easier methods to get rid of these pests without having to go through so much trouble, and in case the infestation is going out of control, and one of them is applying neem oil.
If the infestation is temperate, you can either spray the underside of your leaves with a pressurized garden hose. For example, using a handheld sink sprayer to get rid of the aphids, or even use insecticidal soaps.
Make sure to flush any fallen insects away, or you will end up right back to where you started. This treatment may need replicating as the eggs hatch, and further bugs appear, so be alert.
Moreover, commercially produced pesticides can also be applied. If the aphids have spread to the entire plant and cannot be reduced. After this, be sure to dispose of the part of the plant cut off, into the garbage to prevent the disease from spreading to other plants.
For more severe infestations, you can use insecticidal soap and spray your plants with it, which is admiringly adequate against these soft-bodied bugs.
– Getting Rid of Spider Mites
If you wish to get rid of mites, the fastest and most natural way is to use a high-pressure hose to drain the spider mites off your spider plant. On the contrary, neem oil or other several insecticides also fare well when it comes to treating a plant infected by mites.
You can apply neem oil as it is a great choice to get rid of them. It is a natural product that will not only counter spider mites but other insects as well, making your spider plant secure from any other pest attacks.
In additio, you can also mix a dishwashing liquid with some water and see the magic. You now have an effective home remedy solution that will stick to the invasive mites and suffocate them. Just transfer this solution into a spray bottle, shake it up and start covering all the leaves with this solution.
– Conduct Regular Checks for Pests
Pest infestations like aphids and spider mites are a constant problem for spider plant leaves.
Thus, it is necessary to stay cautious. As soon as you feel that your plant has pests, you should take the necessary measures to eradicate them. Also, make sure to isolate any new plants for a certain time so that they do not bring diseases to your precious spider plant.
It is essential to separate out any affected plants to make sure that pests don’t spread to the other houseplants in your garden. Inspect your plants carefully for a couple of weeks. You may be required to repeat the pest treatment once or twice.
Conclusion
Now you know the factors that have been affecting your spider plant, you now completely understand the reasons and know how to avoid or treat such symptoms.
Below is a quick summary of what we have learned above:
- Spider plants most commonly curl due to improper watering, exposure to direct sunlight, root rot, and pest infestations from insects like aphids and spider mites.
- Make sure your spider plant does not lack water so that plants grow properly and do not curl.
- Do not overwater your plants and keep them away from direct sunlight, and bright indirect light to prevent them from burning. Along with the primary factor of wilting, over-watering also causes stunted growth of the leaves with yellowing leaves.
- If this standing water continues, it can lead to blisters, lesions, or even indentations on the leaves.
Make sure to keenly observe your plant, and make sure it is free of pests and spider mites. Hopefully, this article was able to provide you with all the necessary tips you need to prevent your spider plant leaves from curling and keep them happy.
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