Should I cut off the curled leaves?

If the leaves are heavily damaged by caterpillars, it is best to remove them to reduce the pest population. Otherwise, leave them to help the plant photosynthesize.

Do I need to spray my whole garden?

Only treat the plants that show signs of infestation. Focus on the Canna lilies since they are the primary host for these specific caterpillars.

Why are my Canna lily leaves curling up? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the leaves for silk webbing or rolled edges.
Feel the soil to see if it has dried out completely.
Check for small caterpillars inside the rolled leaves.

Likely causes

Canna Leaf Roller
Most likely
How to tell: You will see leaves tied together with silk threads, creating a tube or roll. If you unroll them, you will find a small caterpillar inside eating the leaf tissue.
What to do: Pick off the caterpillars by hand if the infestation is small. For larger issues, use an organic spray containing Bacillus thuringiensis every 7 to 10 days.
Heat Stress or Dehydration
Most likely
How to tell: The edges of the leaves curl inward during the hottest part of the day. The soil feels dry to the touch.
What to do: Water your plant deeply every 2 to 4 days to keep the soil evenly moist. Adding a layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture during extreme heat.

Curling leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your canna lily

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

Minor curling during a heatwave is normal, but if the leaves are tied together with silk, you must act to prevent the caterpillars from destroying the foliage.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist and monitor for early signs of leaf rolling to catch pests before they spread.

Canna lily: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your canna lily 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

Should I cut off the curled leaves?: If the leaves are heavily damaged by caterpillars, it is best to remove them to reduce the pest population. Otherwise, leave them to help the plant photosynthesize.
Do I need to spray my whole garden?: Only treat the plants that show signs of infestation. Focus on the Canna lilies since they are the primary host for these specific caterpillars.

Guides to these causes

Canna Leaf Roller

Why are my Canna lily leaves curling up?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your canna lily?