Are these beetles harmful?

They chew holes in the leaves and stress the plant. It is best to treat them as soon as you see them.

Should I cut off the curled leaves?

Only remove them if they are brown or severely damaged. Otherwise, leave them to help the plant photosynthesize.

Deadly nightshade: curling leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Look closely at the underside of the leaves for tiny beetles.
Check if the soil is dry and the plant needs a deep watering.
Observe if the curling happens only during the hottest part of the day.

Likely causes

Flea beetles
Most likely
How to tell: You see tiny holes in the leaves and the edges begin to curl inward. Small, dark beetles may be visible on the foliage.
What to do: Spray the leaves with a gentle insecticidal soap or neem oil. Repeat the treatment every 7 days until the beetles are gone.
Heat stress
Possible
How to tell: The leaves curl during the hottest part of the day but recover at night. The soil may feel very dry.
What to do: Provide a bit more shade during the afternoon hours. Ensure the plant is watered deeply to keep the root zone cool.

Curling leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your deadly nightshade

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Curling is serious if the leaves remain distorted even after the plant is watered and cooled down. Minor curling on older leaves is normal as they age.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant healthy with regular water and inspect the leaves weekly for early signs of pests.

Deadly nightshade: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your deadly nightshade and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Are these beetles harmful?: They chew holes in the leaves and stress the plant. It is best to treat them as soon as you see them.
Should I cut off the curled leaves?: Only remove them if they are brown or severely damaged. Otherwise, leave them to help the plant photosynthesize.

Guides to these causes

Flea Beetles

Why are my Atropa belladonna leaves curling?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your deadly nightshade?