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Whitemouth dayflower · Commelina erecta

Why are my Commelina erecta leaves curling?

It is less common for this plant to have curling leaves unless it is reacting to environmental stress. Check the moisture level of the soil first, as this is the most frequent cause for this reaction.

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

Check these first

  1. Check if the soil is bone dry to the touch.
  2. Look for tiny insects like aphids on the undersides of the leaves.
  3. Observe if the curling happens only during the hottest part of the day.

Likely causes

  1. Underwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves look thin, dry, and curl inward to conserve moisture.

    What to do: Give the plant a thorough watering until water runs out of the drainage holes. Ensure you are watering every 3 to 7 days depending on how fast the soil dries out.

  2. Heat Stress

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves curl during the hottest part of the day even when the soil is moist.

    What to do: Move the plant to a location with slightly more shade during the afternoon heat. You can also mist the air around the plant to increase local humidity.

Curling leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your whitemouth dayflower

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

Curling is serious if the leaves remain curled even after watering. It is normal for leaves to curl slightly if the plant is temporarily exposed to a hot breeze or direct afternoon sun.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and keep the plant away from direct heat vents or intense afternoon sun exposure.

Whitemouth dayflower: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your whitemouth dayflower 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

Do aphids cause leaf curling?
Yes, aphids can cause leaves to distort or curl as they feed on the sap. Check the new growth for small clusters of insects.
Should I mist my plant to stop curling?
Misting can help if the curling is caused by low humidity or heat stress. However, it will not fix curling caused by underwatering.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Whitemouth dayflower

Back to the Whitemouth dayflower 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.