Check these first
- Check if the soil is dry and pulling away from the sides of the pot.
- Feel the texture of the leaves to see if they are brittle.
- Monitor the temperature in the plant's location.
Likely causes
Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves look dry, brittle, and curl inward as the plant tries to conserve moisture.
What to do: Water the plant deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes. Ensure the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged. Check the soil every 7 days to see if it needs more water.
Heat Stress
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves curl during the hottest part of the day even if the soil is moist.
What to do: Provide some light shade during the peak afternoon heat if the plant is in a very hot location. Ensure the plant has adequate ventilation to help it cool down. Move the pot to a slightly cooler area if possible.
Find out what's wrong with your eucalyptus
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Curling is a sign of distress and should be addressed quickly to prevent leaf drop. If the leaves stay curled even after watering, the roots may be damaged.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist and protect the plant from extreme, scorching heat.
Eucalyptus: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your eucalyptus 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Do eucalyptus plants flower?
- Eucalyptus plants do flower, but they rarely bloom when grown in containers indoors. They need plenty of space and specific environmental conditions to produce their unique, tassel like flowers.
- Is my plant dying?
- Not necessarily. Curling is often a temporary reaction to stress. If you address the water or heat issue, the plant should recover.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Eucalyptus
- Why are there holes in my eucalyptus leaves?
- Why is my eucalyptus looking sick and wilting?
- Why is my eucalyptus plant growing so leggy?
- Why are my eucalyptus leaf tips turning brown?
- Why are my eucalyptus leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my eucalyptus plant drooping?
- Why is my eucalyptus losing its leaves?
- Why are there spots on my eucalyptus leaves?
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.

