Dieffenbachia leaves curling has different reasons; among them, we can mention very little watering of the plant, the inappropriate temperature of the Dieffenbachia keeping place (mostly in the cold seasons of the year), insect infestation, improper lighting, and also repotting .
Since Dieffenbachia is one of the most popular flowers, necessary explanations have already been given about how to care for Dieffenbachia and the problems of Dieffenbachia plant. But the question that is asked a lot about this plant is why Dieffenbachia leaves become tubular.
So, all the reasons mentioned above for curling Dieffenbachia leaves are of great importance. In this article, we tried to examine all the causes of Dieffenbachia leaves curling separately so that you can easily identify the main cause of the problem of your beloved plant. And by using the proposed solutions, prevent this problem and treat it if it occurs.
Why are my Dieffenbachia leaves curling?
Several factors can cause this problem: either the plant is thirsty, or it is in a cold environment; Either a pest has attacked the plant, or it has received too much light, or the humidity of the environment is low, or it has received too much fertilizer, or this problem has arisen after moving the pot. In this case, you must wait until the plant gets used to the new conditions. Move the plant to a warmer place, water it, and check for pests.
The effect of watering on Dieffenbachia leaves curling
Dieffenbachia plant always needs moist soil for its proper growth. The best time to water the plant is when 1 to 2 inches of the soil in the pot is dry and does not have any moisture, and on the other hand, when watering, all parts of the soil in the pot should be moistened in the same way, and the excess water must be removed from the bottom of the pot. In this case, your plant will be watered.
Based on the mentioned watering method, the plant sometimes needs to be watered every 4 to 5 days and sometimes every 10 to 15 days. This time also depends on factors such as humidity, light, and ambient temperature. In some houses with a lot of temperature and light, the pot’s soil dries faster, and the plant needs more watering.
If the method of watering your plant is different from what was mentioned, don’t doubt that the cause of your Dieffenbachia leaves curling is due to too little watering of the plant (so-called the plant is thirsty). Therefore, to prevent Dieffenbachia leaves curling , it is suggested to check the humidity of the surface of the soil in the pot every two to three days and immediately water your favorite plant after observing that the surface of the soil is dry.
In some cases, when you go on a long trip and after you return, you see that your plant is suffering from curling or falling leaves, consider the watering and thirst of your plant as the first factor.
check out watering plants while traveling
The way to treat dieffenbachia leaves curling from low watering
To quench the plant’s thirst quickly, place it in a pan full of water and allow it to absorb the water it needs for 20 minutes, then remove it from the water and place it in the previous place.
The treatment of the Dieffenbachia plant takes about two weeks due to very little watering, so it is recommended that during these two weeks, apart from the basic watering of the plant, other conditions for keeping the Dieffenbachia plant at home are also ideal.
It should be noted that apart from the tubularization of the leaves, other damages caused by improper watering (both high and low) include the loosening of Dieffenbachia leaves and the failure of Dieffenbachia flowers to grow.
Determining when to water Dieffenbachia
You can easily determine the exact time of watering Dieffenbachia by using the following steps
- Remove the soil from the pot by 1 to 2 inches or insert your finger into the soil as much as possible.
- If you test with your finger: feel the moisture of the soil
- Water if the soil is dry
- Do not water if the soil is moist or wet
Important note: When watering, ensure that excess water is removed from under the pot because if water accumulates at the bottom of the pot, the plant roots will eventually rot. Dieffenbachia root rot is one of the causes of leaf curling.
The effect of cold on Dieffenbachia leaves curling
Perhaps a simple example of humans can help a lot to understand this matter; imagine a person wearing little clothes in very cold weather; it is natural that person would feel cold in such a situation.
Houseplants are also not excluded from what was mentioned so that if the temperature of the Dieffenbachia plant’s storage place is less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the leaves of the plant will take a defensive guard to keep the moisture inside and other things because, which you will see the leaves of your Dieffenbachia leaves curling.
Dieffenbachia is a plant that performs best in the 78 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit range. Therefore, it is suggested that if you never want to see your Dieffenbachia leaves curling, install a small thermometer next to the pot of the plant so that you know the latest temperature around your plant.
How to treat leaf curling due to cold
This case occurs from dieffenbachia leaf curling mostly in the cold seasons of the year or exposure of the plant to the cold wind (cooling devices). Therefore, in these cold seasons, it is better to increase the temperature around your plant slowly and slowly so that your lovely Dieffenbachia does not suffer shock or another new stress. Do not place the plant behind the window attached to the glass, and do not expose Dieffenbachia or any houseplant directly to the air conditioner.
Invasion of pests and insects to Dieffenbachia
Other reasons that lead to Dieffenbachia leaves curling are pests and houseplant disease. Dieffenbachia leaves are very attractive to pests. Naturally, the plant is always at risk of insect attack. In a separate article called Dieffenbachia leaves turning yellowing, we said that pests attach to the beautiful leaves of the Dieffenbachia plant and drain the moisture and nutrients inside them exactly; because of this issue, the defense mechanism is activated in the plant, and the leaves of the plant curl.
If you see your Dieffenbachia leaves becoming sticky, or if you notice small holes and honeydew-like spots on the leaves of the plant (yellow and brown infected spots), don’t doubt that the reason for the Dieffenbachia leaves curling was due to pest infestation.
Have you also wondered what pests will affect your plant? Aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites are some of the most common pests that will be attracted to Dieffenbachia.
Treatment of leaf curling of Dieffenbachia due to pest.
To treat and prevent Dieffenbachia leaves from curling, it is suggested to remove the infected spots from the leaves of your beloved plant with a clean and damp cloth, then spray the leaves of your plant three times with an interval of 14 days with Confidor insecticide.
The process of reviving your plant in case of pest infestation will take about a month.
One of the requirements for the rapid growth of Dieffenbachia is that the plant is always safe from the risk of pest infestation, and to do this (prevent pest infestation), you can wash the back and top of the leaves of your plant once a month with shampoos without essential oils.
By doing this, insects will not have the desire to attack your plant. Just put cardboard on the pot’s soil during washing so that the water and foam solution does not enter the soil (If water and foam solution enters the soil, the roots of the Dieffenbachia plant will be seriously damaged).
High light and its effect on Dieffenbachia leaves curling
This plant is native to tropical regions, and you must provide it with filtered light at home. If the amount and intensity of light increase, the interstitial water of the leaves will gradually evaporate, and the leaves will start to curl.
So always provide your plant with filtered light; if the plant has curled leaves, move it to a place with low light and low intensity.
Too much fertilization causes Dieffenbachia leaves curling
Nutrition and fertilization are very important for this plant’s growth, but if you overdo them, you will cause your plant to rot and die. Excessive fertilization or using a high dose of fertilizer will gradually burn the plant’s roots and reduce the ability to transfer nutrients to the leaves, and the leaves will gradually curl.
Treatment of Dieffenbachia leaves curling from excessive fertilization
For prevention, try to mix the amount of fertilizer written on the package (even less) with water and feed the plant with it. Fertilize every two to three weeks during the plant’s growing season (spring and fall).
You can use the washing method to wash the excess fertilizer in the soil; in this way, put the plant under water and water it for 10 minutes to wash off all the accumulated materials in the soil.
Repotting and Dieffenbachia leaves curling
In general, repotting and changing the soil (whether the plant needs it or not) is considered a disturbance for the Dieffenbachia plant. The plant makes its leaves curl or wilts in response to this disturbance.
If you have recently repotted your plant and the other conditions of keeping your plant are suitable, be sure that the cause of the curling of your Dieffenbachia leaves is due to the plant’s stress tolerance. Therefore, in such a case, the only solution to treat the plant is to allow your Dieffenbachia to adapt to its new environment over time. This issue (adaptation) will take about 2 to 3 weeks, provided other plant care conditions are ideal and appropriate (such as irrigation, humidity, fertilization, etc.).
If you don’t want to see the leaves of your Dieffenbachia curl the next time you change the soil of your plant, It is recommended to spray it with anti-stress solutions such as amino acid 24 hours before and 24 hours after repotting the plant (observing the appropriate dosage, of course).
Doing this will make your plant experience the least stress against these types of stress.
Should I cut off the curled leaves?
This condition is completely different from the yellowing of the leaves because when the leaves of your plant turn yellow, they will not return to their previous state, but when the leaves are curled, they will easily come out of the curling state by providing the right conditions for them.
How to prevent Dieffenbachia leaves from curling?
If you can provide proper care for your plant and check the plant every week or two weeks, your plant will suffer less from this problem because the lower the amount of curling, you can easily revive the plant.
A few tips regarding Dieffenbachia care
Dieffenbachia needs regular watering during the growing season and especially in the summer when the soil surface dries up to a depth of one inches. Excessive watering of the plant causes the leaves in the lower part of the plant to turn yellow and create brown areas on the leaf surface.
This plant likes moisture, so spray it in hot seasons or if the pot is placed in a hot environment.
Remember that its large leaves should be cleaned with a sponge once a month, and dusting should be done weekly. One of the most important needs of this plant is to repot it annually, which should be replaced with a bigger pot.
Summary of Dieffenbachia leaves curling
Dieffenbachia leaf curling is not a concern because the plant can easily return to its original condition, provided that you provide the right conditions for the plant; the most factors that will cause this problem are irrigation and cold.
Water the plant whenever the soil is dry. Move the pot to a warmer place. Check the leaves back and top to ensure the pest’s presence or absence.
What experience do you have in caring for this plant, has Dieffenbachia leaves curling happened to you too? Post your opinion in the comments.