Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil 3 inches deep to see if it is dry.
- Check if the curling happens only during the heat of the day.
- Look for white dust on the leaf surfaces.
Likely causes
Drought Stress
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves look wilted and curl inward during the hottest part of the day. The soil around the base feels dry and crumbly to the touch.
What to do: Water the tree deeply by letting a hose trickle at the base for 30 to 60 minutes. Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of wood mulch around the base to hold moisture in.
Powdery Mildew
PossibleHow to tell: You will see a white, dusty coating on the leaves which can cause them to twist or curl. It happens most often in humid, stagnant air.
What to do: Increase airflow by thinning out nearby shrubs or branches. If the infection is heavy, use a gentle neem oil spray in the early morning.
When to worry
If the leaves stay curled even after a deep watering and cool nights, the tree is under severe stress. If leaves are brittle and brown, the damage may be permanent.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule during dry spells and keep the root zone mulched.
Not sure which one it is? Photograph your flowering dogwood.
This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Is my tree dying if the leaves curl?
- Not necessarily. It is a defense mechanism to prevent water loss, but it does mean the tree needs a drink.
- Can I spray the leaves with water to help?
- It is better to water the soil deeply. Spraying the leaves can encourage fungal growth if they stay wet too long.
More problems with Flowering dogwood
Back to the Flowering dogwood guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.