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Mouse-ear hawkweed · Pilosella officinarum

Why are my mouse-ear hawkweed leaves curling?

It is less common for this plant to have curling leaves, which usually points to environmental stress. Check if the plant is getting too much heat or if the air is too dry.

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

Check these first

  1. Check the leaf surfaces for white, powdery spots.
  2. Feel the temperature of the leaves during the hottest part of the day.
  3. Ensure the plant is not sitting in stagnant, humid air.

Likely causes

  1. Heat Stress

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves curl inward or look scorched during the hottest part of the day. This happens if the plant is in a very confined, hot space.

    What to do: Provide some light shade during the peak afternoon heat. Ensure the plant has good air circulation to keep the foliage cool.

  2. Powdery Mildew

    Possible

    How to tell: White, dusty patches appear on the leaves, causing them to twist or curl. This is common in humid, stagnant air.

    What to do: Improve airflow around the plant by spacing it away from others. Remove heavily infected leaves and treat the rest with a mixture of 1 part milk to 9 parts water.

Curling leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your mouse-ear hawkweed

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

If the curling is accompanied by brown, crispy edges, the plant is likely suffering from heat stress. If you see white fuzz, treat for mildew immediately to prevent spread.

Stopping it coming back

Place the plant in a spot with excellent air movement and avoid overhead watering to keep leaves dry.

Mouse-ear hawkweed: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mouse-ear hawkweed 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

Does this plant flower?
Yes, it produces yellow, dandelion-like flowers in late spring and summer. It needs full sun to bloom properly.
Should I cut off curled leaves?
If the leaf is mostly dead or heavily covered in mildew, go ahead and trim it off. If it is just slightly curled, focus on fixing the environment first.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Mouse-ear hawkweed

Back to the Mouse-ear hawkweed 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.