Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the soil to see if it is bone dry.
- Observe the plant during the hottest part of the day.
- Check if the leaves look brittle or just slightly rolled.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves look thin, dry, and begin to roll inward. The soil will feel very dry and hard to the touch.
What to do: Give the plant a thorough watering until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Maintain a schedule of watering every 3 to 7 days to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Excessive Heat
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves curl during the hottest part of the day even if the soil is moist. The tips may also look slightly scorched.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with slightly less intense afternoon sun. Ensure the plant stays hydrated to help it cope with the heat.
Find out what's wrong with your soft brome
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.
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When to worry
If the leaves stay curled even after a deep watering, the plant may be suffering from heat stress. It is normal for the leaves to curl slightly during the peak of a hot afternoon.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil moisture consistent by checking it every few days. Provide full sun but watch for signs of heat stress during record high temperatures.
Soft brome: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your soft brome 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
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Questions people ask
- Does my soft brome need full sun?
- Yes, this plant thrives in direct, full sun. Just ensure it has enough water to support that level of light.
- Will the leaves uncurl once I water it?
- Usually, yes. If the plant is just thirsty, the leaves should flatten out within a few hours of watering.
Guides to these causes
More problems with soft brome
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.