Is my resurrection fern dead when it curls?

No, it is just dormant. It will spring back to life once it gets enough water.

How often should I soak it?

Soak it whenever the fronds start to curl, which usually happens every 2 to 7 days depending on your home environment.

Resurrection fern: curling leaves, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the mount or soil to see if it feels bone dry.
Check the color of the fronds to see if they are gray or green.
Look for signs of pests that might be stressing the plant.

Likely causes

Dehydration
Most likely
How to tell: The fronds look shriveled and tight, often turning a grayish brown color. This is the plant entering its dormant state to conserve water.
What to do: Submerge the entire mount or pot in a bowl of room temperature water for 15 to 30 minutes. Once the fronds unfurl and turn green, remove it from the water and let it drip dry.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The plant curls even when the mount feels slightly damp to the touch. This happens when the surrounding air is too dry for the fern to stay open.
What to do: Mist the fronds daily with a spray bottle or place the plant near a humidifier. Keeping the ambient humidity above 50 percent will help the fern stay open longer.

Curling leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your resurrection fern

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

It is perfectly normal for this plant to curl during dry periods. You only need to worry if the fronds remain curled and brittle even after you have soaked them.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and mist the plant regularly to keep the humidity high.

Resurrection fern: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your resurrection fern 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Is my resurrection fern dead when it curls?: No, it is just dormant. It will spring back to life once it gets enough water.
How often should I soak it?: Soak it whenever the fronds start to curl, which usually happens every 2 to 7 days depending on your home environment.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are my resurrection fern leaves curling up?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your resurrection fern?