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Leaves Curling Up And Drying Out
Leaves curling up and drying out can be pretty distressing to see but the reason this is happening is usually easy to figure out as it’s often the same cause and as long as the plant hasn’t yet died of dehydration you should still be able to save the plant even if you have to lose a few leaves in the process. Plants tend to curl up to conserve water and protect themselves against strong light. The main cause of leaves curling up and drying out are all to do with dehydration but there could be a few different things causing this. Let’s look through the main causes in turn and what you can about them.
Underwatering
As this tends to be a result of dehydration it should come as no surprise to you that underwatering is one of the major causes of leaves curling up and drying out. There are some plants that need to be allowed to dry out between waterings and some that like to be kept relatively moist but don’t use a one size fits all approach with your plants and instead water them based on their individual needs. Also it’s important to remember that even a cactus needs watering. Learn about the specific type of plant you have and try to read when it needs watering. You can insert your fingers into the soil, use a moisture probe or even feel the weight of the pot. But regardless of the species of plant, is the soil is bone dry and you’re finding leaves curling up and drying out then underwatering is probably your issue.
Too Much Sun
Another issue that can cause dehydration in plants and leaves curling up and drying out is if they’re receiving too much sun. Plants need light to survive but not all plants like direct light and too much light can cause dehydration in some plants. If you find you’re watering your plant as often as it needs or that you’re watering it regularly but it’s drying out very quickly then you need to look at its environment and light plays a big role in this. Some plants really don’t do well under direct sunlight. The sun can burn their leaves, it can turn them brown and crispy and it can cause them to curl up and dry out. Find out what type of plant you have, look up its needs and if it shouldn’t be in direct sunlight but it is then this could be the cause of its leaves curling up and drying out.
Hydrophobic Soil
Another cause can be hydrophobic soil. This is where the soil you’re using repels water and it runs down the sides of the mix. This can confuse people as they think they’re watering their plant but their plant isn’t actually receiving any water and it slowly dies of dehydration. Learn more about hydrophobic soil here.
Hopefully we’ve helped you to work out why your leaves are curling up and drying out. If you don’t think that dehydration is the cause then comment below and tell us about your plant’s environment. Hopefully this will help us narrow it down and get to the bottom of the problem together.
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