Check these first
- Feel the top inch of soil to see if it is dry.
- Check if the plant is sitting in direct, scorching afternoon sun.
- Look at the undersides of the leaves for any signs of pests.
Likely causes
Heat Stress
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves curl inward during the hottest part of the day and may look slightly wilted. This happens when the plant loses water faster than its roots can absorb it.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with partial shade during the afternoon. Ensure it is not sitting near a hot vent or in a drafty window.
Underwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the leaves feel thin or brittle to the touch. Curling is the plant's way of trying to save what little moisture it has left.
What to do: Water your plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Stick to a schedule of watering every 5 to 7 days when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Find out what's wrong with your common hedgenettle
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Worry if the leaves stay curled even after a deep watering and a cool night. It is normal for leaves to curl slightly during extreme heat waves as a temporary defense.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist and provide a bit of afternoon shade to prevent the plant from getting too stressed.
Common hedgenettle: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common hedgenettle 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will my leaves uncurl once I water them?
- Yes, if the curling was caused by underwatering, the leaves should return to their normal shape within a few hours of a good soak.
- Does this plant need high humidity?
- Common hedgenettle prefers moderate humidity. While it does not need a humidifier, keeping it away from dry air vents helps keep the leaves happy.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Common hedgenettle
- Why does my Common hedgenettle have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Common hedgenettle drooping?
- Why is my Betonica officinalis rotting at the base?
- Why is my hedgenettle growing so tall and thin?
- Why are my Common hedgenettle leaves turning yellow?
- Why are the tips of my hedgenettle leaves turning brown?
- Why is my Betonica officinalis losing its leaves?
- Why won't my Betonica officinalis bloom?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Betonica officinalis?
Back to the Common hedgenettle guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.

