Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves for tiny moving insects.
- Touch the soil to see if it has dried out completely.
- Check the temperature of the area where the plant is sitting.
Likely causes
Aphid infestation
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see clusters of tiny green or white insects on the new growth and undersides of leaves. The leaves may look distorted or sticky from the honeydew the aphids leave behind.
What to do: Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water to knock the aphids off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days until the bugs are gone.
Heat stress
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves curl inward and feel dry or crispy to the touch during the hottest part of the day. This happens when the plant loses moisture faster than its roots can take it up.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with partial shade during the afternoon. Increase your watering frequency to keep the soil consistently damp.
Find out what's wrong with your common chickweed
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
Worry if the curling is accompanied by yellowing or stunted growth that does not improve with water. It is normal for leaves to curl slightly during the hottest part of a summer afternoon.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently damp and monitor your plants weekly for early signs of aphids.
Keep your common chickweed 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.
Questions people ask
- Will my curled leaves straighten out?
- Usually, once the stressor is removed, the new growth will come in healthy and flat. The existing curled leaves will likely stay that way.
- Can I just cut off the curled leaves?
- Yes, you can trim them off to keep the plant looking tidy. Just make sure you address the underlying cause first.
More problems with Common Chickweed
Back to the Common Chickweed 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.