Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check if the soil is dry or if the water level in your tray has dropped.
- Feel the leaves to see if they are brittle or just slightly rolled.
- Observe if the curling happens only during the hottest part of the day.
Likely causes
Inconsistent moisture
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves look shriveled and the soil feels dry to the touch. Water mint requires constant moisture and will react quickly if its roots dry out.
What to do: Submerge the pot in a shallow tray of water to keep the soil consistently wet. Ensure the water level stays at least 1 inch deep around the base of the container.
Heat stress
PossibleHow to tell: Leaves curl inward during the hottest part of the day, especially if the plant is in direct afternoon sun. The plant may look better in the evening when temperatures drop.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with partial shade during the afternoon. Increase the water depth in your tray to help the plant stay cool through evaporation.
Find out what's wrong with your water mint
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 stay curled even after you have restored consistent moisture. It is normal for leaves to curl slightly if the plant is adjusting to a new location with different light levels.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your water mint in a consistently wet environment and provide afternoon shade to prevent heat stress.
Water Mint: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your water mint 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
- Will my curled leaves flatten out again?
- If the curling was caused by a brief dry spell, the leaves should recover once you rehydrate the plant. If they remain curled and turn brown, they will likely not recover.
- Does water mint need to be fully submerged?
- It loves having its roots in water, so you can keep the pot sitting in a tray of water. You do not need to submerge the entire plant, just the base of the pot.
More problems with Water Mint
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.