Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the curled leaves for tiny insects.
- Check if the curling is happening mostly on new, tender growth.
- Look for sticky residue on the leaves which indicates pest activity.
Likely causes
Aphids
Most likelyHow to tell: You see tiny green or black insects on the new growth and the leaves look distorted or curled.
What to do: Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water to knock the bugs off. If they persist, use a mild insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks.
Temperature Fluctuations
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves curl inward during sudden cold snaps or extreme heat shifts.
What to do: Protect the plant from drafts or direct heat sources. Keep the plant in a stable environment between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Find out what's wrong with your pittosporum
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 yellowing or stunted growth, it is time to take action. Minor curling on a few leaves after a temperature change is normal.
Stopping it coming back
Check your plant for pests every time you water to catch them early.
Pittosporum: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your pittosporum 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 the leaves uncurl once the pests are gone?
- No, the damaged leaves will stay curled. Focus on keeping the new growth healthy and straight.
- Can I just cut off the curled leaves?
- Yes, you can trim them off to make the plant look better, provided you have treated the underlying cause first.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Pittosporum
- Why are my Pittosporum leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Pittosporum dropping its leaves?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Pittosporum?
- Why is my Pittosporum wilting and the soil smells bad?
- Why is my Pittosporum growing long and sparse stems?
- Why are the tips of my Pittosporum leaves turning brown?
- Why is my Pittosporum drooping?
- Why does my Pittosporum have spots on its 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.