Will my curled leaves flatten out again?

If the cause is heat stress, they will likely recover overnight. If the damage is from aphids, the existing leaves may remain distorted even after the pests are removed.

Should I cut off the curled leaves?

You can trim them if they look unsightly, but it is not strictly necessary. Only remove them if they are heavily infested with pests or turning brown.

Why are my Meadow vetchling leaves curling? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of the curled leaves for tiny aphids.
Check if the soil is dry to the touch.
Observe if the leaves flatten out once the sun goes down.

Likely causes

Aphid infestation
Most likely
How to tell: You will see small, soft bodied insects clustering on the undersides of leaves or near the growing tips. The leaves often look distorted or curled as the aphids suck the sap.
What to do: Spray the plant with a steady stream of water to knock the aphids off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.
Heat stress
Possible
How to tell: The leaves curl inward during the hottest part of the day to conserve moisture. If they perk back up at night, the plant is just reacting to the temperature.
What to do: Provide some afternoon shade if your plant is in a very hot spot. Ensure you are watering every 3 to 7 days to keep the soil consistently moist.

Find out what's wrong with your meadow vetchling

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

Worry if the leaves stay curled even when the plant is well watered and the temperature is cool. If you see heavy webbing or yellowing alongside the curling, the plant is struggling significantly.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy with consistent watering and monitor for pests weekly. Healthy, well fed plants are much better at resisting minor insect attacks.

Keep your meadow vetchling healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Will my curled leaves flatten out again?: If the cause is heat stress, they will likely recover overnight. If the damage is from aphids, the existing leaves may remain distorted even after the pests are removed.
Should I cut off the curled leaves?: You can trim them if they look unsightly, but it is not strictly necessary. Only remove them if they are heavily infested with pests or turning brown.

Why are my Meadow vetchling leaves curling?