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Chinese trumpet vine · Campsis grandiflora

Why are my Chinese trumpet vine leaves curling?

Curling leaves are less common for this plant and usually point to environmental stress or pests. Check the undersides of your leaves for tiny insects first.

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curling leaves on a plant
Photo: Freshclover, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for aphids.
  2. Check the soil moisture level with your finger.
  3. Observe if the leaves flatten out once the sun goes down.

Likely causes

  1. Aphid infestation

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small clusters of green or black insects on the undersides of leaves or on new growth. The leaves often look distorted or sticky from honeydew.

    What to do: Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water to knock them off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days until the colony is gone.

  2. Heat stress

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves curl inward during the hottest part of the day to conserve moisture. If they recover by evening, the plant is just managing the heat.

    What to do: Ensure the soil stays consistently moist by watering every 5 to 10 days. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to keep the roots cool.

Curling leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your chinese trumpet vine

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

Worry if the leaves remain curled and brittle even after watering. It is normal for leaves to curl slightly during extreme heat waves.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your vine well watered and monitor for pests early in the season.

Chinese trumpet vine: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your chinese trumpet vine 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

Will my leaves uncurl?
If the curling is caused by heat, they will usually flatten out once temperatures drop. If caused by pests, the current leaves may stay distorted, but new growth will be healthy once the bugs are removed.
Should I prune curled leaves?
You can trim off heavily damaged or infested leaves to improve the look of the vine. Always use clean, sharp shears.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Chinese trumpet vine

Back to the Chinese trumpet vine 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.