Check these first
- Check the leaf surfaces for white, powdery spots.
- Feel the temperature of the leaves during the hottest part of the day.
- Ensure the plant is not sitting in stagnant, humid air.
Likely causes
Heat Stress
Most likelyHow 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.
Powdery Mildew
PossibleHow 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.
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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.
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
- 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
- Why is my Mouse-ear hawkweed looking so leggy?
- Why are there spots on my Mouse-ear hawkweed?
- Why is my mouse-ear hawkweed not blooming?
- How do I fix root rot in my mouse-ear hawkweed?
- Why are my Mouse-ear hawkweed leaves turning yellow?
- Why are the tips of my mouse-ear hawkweed turning brown?
- Why is my mouse-ear hawkweed drooping?
- Are there bugs on my 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.

