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Johnsongrass · Sorghum halepense

Why are the leaves on my Johnsongrass curling?

It is less common for Johnsongrass to have curling leaves, but it usually happens when the plant is stressed by heat or lack of water. Check the soil moisture first to see if the plant is thirsty.

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

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it is dry.
  2. Check if the leaves recover at night.
  3. Ensure the pot has proper drainage.

Likely causes

  1. Dehydration

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves will look dry, brittle, and curl inward to conserve moisture. The soil will feel completely dry to the touch.

    What to do: Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. Maintain a schedule of watering every 7 to 14 days depending on the heat.

  2. Heat Stress

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves curl during the hottest part of the day even if the soil is moist. They usually recover once the temperature drops in the evening.

    What to do: Provide some light shade during the peak afternoon heat if possible. Ensure the plant is well hydrated to help it handle high temperatures.

Curling leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your johnsongrass

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

Curling is a normal reaction to extreme heat, but it should not stay curled all day. If the leaves stay curled and turn brown, the plant is suffering from severe drought.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Mulch the base of the plant to help retain soil moisture during hot spells.

Johnsongrass: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your johnsongrass 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

Should I mist the leaves?
Misting does not really help with curling. It is better to focus on deep watering of the root system.
Is my plant dying?
If the leaves are still green and firm, it is just stressed. Give it a good drink and it should bounce back.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Johnsongrass

Back to the Johnsongrass 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.