Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the leaves to see if they are soft or papery.
- Check how long it has been since the last soak.
- Look for signs of brown, crispy edges near the tips.
Likely causes
Dehydration
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves feel thin, dry, or brittle to the touch and curl inward significantly. The plant may also feel much lighter than usual when you pick it up.
What to do: Submerge your air plant in a bowl of room temperature water for 30 to 60 minutes. After soaking, gently shake off excess water and place it upside down on a towel until completely dry.
Low Humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The plant curls even if you have watered it recently, usually because your home air is very dry. This often happens near heating vents or in winter months.
What to do: Increase the frequency of your misting sessions between soakings. You can also place the plant near a humidifier or in a bathroom where it can enjoy the steam from your shower.
Find out what's wrong with your air plant
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 leaves remain curled and brittle even after a long soak, the plant may be too far gone. It is normal for leaves to curl slightly as they age, but extreme curling is a cry for water.
Stopping it coming back
Stick to a consistent soaking schedule of every 5 to 10 days to keep your plant hydrated. Always ensure the plant dries out fully within 4 hours after watering.
Air plant: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your air plant 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
- Can I just mist my air plant instead of soaking it?
- Misting is usually not enough for most air plants. Soaking allows the plant to absorb water through its leaves more effectively.
- How do I know if my plant is hydrated enough?
- A well hydrated air plant will have firm, straight, or slightly curved leaves that feel plump to the touch.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Air plant
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.