If you’ve noticed your prayer plant leaves curling, you’re not alone. This is a common sign that your Maranta, Calathea, or Stromanthe is trying to tell you something. These popular houseplants are known for their stunning foliage and nightly leaf movements, but curling leaves indicate stress. Let’s figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.
Curling leaves are the plant’s way of conserving moisture. It’s a defensive reaction. The good news is that with a few adjustments, you can usually restore those beautiful, flat leaves. We’ll walk through the most likely causes, from watering habits to pest problems.
Prayer Plant Leaves Curling
This specific issue can stem from several environmental factors. The key is to observe your plant closely and check off potential problems one by one. Don’t worry, most causes are easy to correct once you identify them.
1. The Most Common Culprit: Incorrect Watering
Prayer plants are picky about their moisture. Both too much and too little water can cause leaves to curl, though they often curl inwards for drought stress.
Underwatering:
When the soil gets too dry, the plant curls its leaves to reduce surface area and slow water loss. You might also see brown, crispy edges.
* Check the soil with your finger. Is the top inch or two bone dry?
* Leaves often feel thin and papery when thirsty.
* The pot may feel very light.
Overwatering and Root Rot:
Soggy soil suffocates roots, preventing them from absorbing water. Ironically, this also leads to curling, as the damaged roots can’t drink.
* Soil stays wet for many days.
* Leaves may curl and also turn yellow, particularly the lower leaves.
* A musty smell or black, mushy roots are a sure sign of rot.
The Fix:
* For underwatering: Give your plant a thorough, deep watering. Water until it runs freely from the drainage holes. Let it drain completely. Don’t just sprinkle the surface.
* For overwatering: Stop watering immediately. Let the soil dry out more between waterings. If you suspect root rot, you’ll need to repot. Gently remove the plant, trim away any black, slimy roots with sterile scissors, and repot in fresh, well-draining potting mix.
2. Low Humidity is a Major Stressor
Native to tropical jungles, prayer plants need humid air. Dry air from heating or air conditioning causes leaves to curl and edges to brown.
Signs:
* Leaf curling combined with crispy brown tips.
* The problem is worse in winter when indoor air is driest.
* New leaves may emerge already curled or damaged.
How to Increase Humidity:
* Group plants together. They create a more humid microclimate.
* Use a pebble tray. Fill a shallow tray with pebbles and water, and set the pot on top (not in the water).
* Run a humidifier nearby. This is the most effective solution.
* Mist lightly in the morning, but this is a temporary boost and isn’t enough on its own for very dry homes.
3. Water Quality: Sensitivity to Chemicals
Prayer plants are sensitive to salts, chlorine, and fluoride found in tap water. This can cause leaf tip burn and curling over time.
The Solution:
* Use filtered water, rainwater, or distilled water for watering.
* If using tap water, let it sit out in an open container for 24 hours before using. This allows some chemicals to evaporate.
* Flush the soil every few months by watering thoroughly until water runs from the drainage hole, carrying away mineral build-up.
4. Temperature Stress and Drafts
These plants prefer consistent, warm temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Sudden chills or hot blasts can shock them.
What to Avoid:
* Drafts from windows, doors, or air conditioning vents.
* Placing plants near radiators, fireplaces, or heating vents.
* Temperatures dipping below 60°F (15°C).
Move your plant to a spot with stable, comfortable room temperature. Keep it away from any direct blasts of hot or cold air, which can really stress it out.
5. Too Much or Too Little Light
Prayer plants need bright, indirect light. Direct sun will scorch leaves, causing curling, fading, and brown patches. Too little light weakens the plant.
Finding the Sweet Spot:
* An east-facing window is often ideal.
* A few feet back from a south or west window with a sheer curtain for filtering.
* If leaves are curling and also losing their vibrant color or getting scorched, it’s likely too much sun.
* If growth is leggy and leaves are small and curling, it might need a bit more light.
6. Pest Infestations
Sap-sucking pests like spider mites, thrips, and aphids can cause leaves to curl, discolor, and drop. They stress the plant by feeding on its juices.
What to Look For:
* Spider mites: Fine webbing, especially under leaves and at stem joints. Tiny moving dots.
* Mealybugs: Small, white, cottony masses on stems and leaf undersides.
* Aphids: Small green, black, or white insects clustered on new growth.
Treatment Steps:
1. Isolate the affected plant immediately.
2. Wipe leaves with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of mild soap and water.
3. Spray the plant thoroughly, especially under leaves, with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
4. Repeat treatment every 5-7 days for at least two weeks to break the pest life cycle.
7. Pot-Bound Roots and Nutrient Issues
Sometimes, the problem is simply that the plant has outgrown its home. Tightly packed roots can’t absorb water and nutrients efficiently.
Signs:
* Roots growing out of the drainage holes or circling the top of the soil.
* Water runs straight through the pot without being absorbed.
* General decline and leaf curling despite good care.
The Fix: Repotting.
1. Choose a pot only 1-2 inches larger in diameter.
2. Use a well-draining, peat-based potting mix.
3. Gently loosen the root ball and place in the new pot with fresh soil.
4. Water well and return to its usual spot.
A lack of nutrients can also contribute to poor health, but address water and light first before fertilizing. Use a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer).
A Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Checklist
Follow this list to diagnose your plant systematically.
1. Check the soil moisture right now with your finger. Is it soggy, bone dry, or just right?
2. Look at the light. Is the plant in harsh, direct sun or deep, dark shade?
3. Consider the humidity. Is the air in your home generally dry? Are there brown leaf tips?
4. Inspect for pests. Take a magnifying glass and look closely under leaves and along stems.
5. Feel for drafts. Is the plant near a frequently opened door or a vent?
6. Think about your water. Have you been using straight tap water?
7. Check the roots. If all else fails, gently check if the plant is root-bound or has root rot.
FAQ: Your Prayer Plant Questions Answered
Why are my prayer plant leaves curling and turning yellow?
This is most often a sign of overwatering and potential root rot. Check your soil moisture and drainage immediately. Yellow leaves can also indicate a need for more humidity or a nutrient deficiency, but overwatering is the prime suspect.
Should I cut off curled prayer plant leaves?
You can trim off severely curled or damaged leaves at the base of their stem using clean scissors. This helps the plant focus energy on new, healthy growth. If the leaf is only slightly curled and you fix the problem, it may recover and uncurl.
How long does it take for prayer plant leaves to uncurl?
Once you correct the issue, you should see improvement within a week or two. New growth will come in healthy. Severely damaged older leaves may not fully recover, but the plant overall will bounce back.
Can too much fertilizer cause curling?
Yes, fertilizer burn from overfeeding can damage roots, leading to curling and brown leaf tips. Always dilute fertilizer more than the label says for prayer plants, and only feed during active growth periods. Flush the soil if you suspect over-fertilization.
Is it normal for prayer plant leaves to curl at night?
Yes! This is completely normal and is how they got their name. The leaves fold upwards at night like praying hands. Daytime curling is the problem. If leaves are curled during the day, it’s a stress signal.
Remember, patience is key. After you make a correction, give your plant some time to respond. Avoid the temptation to change multiple things at once, as this will make it harder to know what worked. With consistent, attentive care, your prayer plant will reward you with its beautiful, flat, colorful foliage once again.