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Viper's bugloss · Echium vulgare

Why are my Viper's bugloss leaves curling?

It is less common for this plant to have curling leaves, which usually happens when it is not getting the right amount of water or light. Check the soil moisture first to see if it is too dry or too wet.

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

Check these first

  1. Touch the soil to see if it is bone dry.
  2. Check the location to ensure it is not getting scorched by extreme heat.
  3. Look for signs of pests that might be causing the curling.

Likely causes

  1. Underwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves will feel crisp and start to curl inward or droop. The soil will be completely dry and pulling away from the edges of the pot.

    What to do: Give the plant a thorough soak until water runs out of the drainage holes. Resume a schedule of watering every 7 to 14 days when the top few inches are dry.

  2. Heat Stress

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves curl to protect themselves from intense, direct sun during the hottest part of the day. The plant might look wilted even if the soil is moist.

    What to do: Provide some light shade during the peak afternoon sun. Ensure the plant has enough airflow to help it stay cool.

Curling leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your viper's bugloss

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 after you have watered the plant and moved it out of direct heat. Normal curling can occur briefly on very hot days.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and ensure your plant is not sitting in a location that gets excessively hot.

Viper's bugloss: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your viper's bugloss 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 mist the leaves to stop the curling?
Misting does not help much and can actually encourage fungal issues like powdery mildew. Focus on soil moisture instead.
Will the curled leaves flatten out again?
If the cause is corrected quickly, the leaves may recover. If they are crispy and brown, they will likely stay curled.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Viper's bugloss

Back to the Viper's bugloss 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.