Skip to content

Frangipani · Plumeria rubra

Why are my Plumeria leaves curling?

It is less common for Plumeria leaves to curl, so this usually points to a reaction to environmental stress or pests. Check the underside of the leaves for tiny insects first, as they are the most frequent culprit.

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for webbing or tiny moving dots.
  2. Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry or completely saturated.
  3. Observe if the leaves flatten out when temperatures drop in the evening.

Likely causes

  1. Spider Mites

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see tiny yellow stippling on the leaves and fine webbing near the stems. These pests thrive in hot, dry conditions.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Spray the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks to clear the infestation.

  2. Heat Stress

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves curl inward during the hottest part of the day to conserve moisture. If they flatten out at night, the plant is just managing the heat.

    What to do: Ensure your Plumeria has enough water during extreme heat waves. Move the pot to a spot with slight afternoon shade if the curling persists throughout the entire day.

Find out what's wrong with your frangipani

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

Be concerned if the leaves remain curled and start turning brown or dropping off. It is normal for leaves to curl slightly during a record heat wave.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your Plumeria hydrated during dry spells and occasionally mist the foliage to discourage spider mites.

Keep your frangipani healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

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

Questions people ask

Will my curled leaves straighten out?
If the curling is caused by heat stress, they will likely recover once the temperature drops. If the damage is from spider mites, those specific leaves may stay distorted.
Should I cut off the curled leaves?
Only remove them if they turn yellow or brown and die. Otherwise, leave them on the plant so they can continue to photosynthesize.

More problems with Frangipani

Back to the Frangipani guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.