Money Plant Leaves Curling? 7 Reasons & Quick Fixes!

Money Plant Leaves Curling? 7 Reasons & Quick Fixes!

When your money plant’s vibrant green leaves start curling, it can be a cause for concern. Luckily, often the issues are easily addressed. This guide will walk you through seven common reasons why your money plant leaves might be curling, and, more importantly, how to fix them. Addressing the problem promptly will help restore your plant to its healthy, thriving state.

1. Underwatering: The Thirst Trap

Curling leaves are often the first sign that your money plant isn’t getting enough water. Just like us, plants need hydration to stay healthy and maintain their shape.

Recognizing Underwatering

• Dry Soil: Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger about an inch or two into the soil. If it feels completely dry, it’s time to water.
• Drooping Leaves: Alongside curling, you might notice the leaves starting to droop downwards.
• Crispy Leaf Edges: Severely underwatered plants might develop crispy brown edges on their leaves.

The Quick Fix

1. Soak the Soil: Water the plant thoroughly until water drains out of the drainage holes. This ensures the entire root ball is saturated.
2. Check Drainage: Make sure the pot has adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging later.
3. Adjust Watering Schedule: Water more frequently, but allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to water every 1-2 weeks, but this can vary depending on the humidity and temperature of your environment.

2. Overwatering: Too Much Love

Believe it or not, too much water can be just as harmful as too little. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which hinders the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, resulting in curling leaves.

Spotting Overwatering

• Soggy Soil: The soil feels constantly wet or waterlogged.
• Yellowing Leaves: Leaves might turn yellow before they start to curl.
• Root Rot: You might detect a musty or unpleasant smell coming from the soil. If you carefully remove the plant from its pot, you might see dark, mushy roots.

The Remedy

1. Stop Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
2. Improve Drainage: If the pot doesn’t have adequate drainage, repot the plant into a pot with drainage holes.
3. Check for Root Rot: If you suspect root rot, gently remove the plant from its pot and trim away any affected roots with clean, sterilized scissors. Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.
4. Reduce Watering Frequency: Water less often and ensure the top layer of soil dries out between waterings.

3. Low Humidity: Dry Air Woes

Money plants thrive in humid environments. When the air is too dry, especially during winter months with indoor heating, their leaves can start to curl in an attempt to conserve moisture.

Identifying Low Humidity Issues

• Dry Air: If the air in your home feels dry, especially in the winter, low humidity might be the culprit.
• Brown Leaf Tips: Dry air can also cause brown tips on the leaves.

Boosting Humidity

• Humidifier: The most effective way to increase humidity is to use a humidifier near your plant.
• Pebble Tray: Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity around the plant. Make sure the bottom of the pot isn’t sitting directly in the water.
• Misting: Mist the plant regularly with water, but avoid over-misting, which can lead to fungal problems.
• Group Plants: Grouping plants together creates a more humid microclimate.

4. Temperature Stress: Too Hot or Too Cold

Money plants prefer temperatures between 65°F (18°C) and 75°F (24°C). Extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold, can stress the plant and cause its leaves to curl.

Recognizing Temperature Problems

• Placement: Is your plant near a drafty window, an air conditioning vent, or a radiator?
• Leaf Appearance: Leaves might appear wilted or scorched in addition to curling.

Correcting the Temperature

• Relocate the Plant: Move the plant away from drafts, direct sunlight, and heat sources.
• Maintain Consistent Temperature: Try to maintain a consistent temperature in the room where your plant is located.

5. Pest Infestation: Unwelcome Guests

Pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids can suck the sap from your money plant’s leaves, causing them to curl, discolor, and weaken.

Identifying Pests

• Visual Inspection: Closely examine the leaves, stems, and undersides of the leaves for small insects.
• Webbing: Spider mites often leave behind fine webbing.
• Sticky Residue: Aphids and mealybugs can secrete a sticky substance called honeydew.

Pest Control

• Isolate the Plant: To prevent the pests from spreading to other plants, isolate the affected plant.
• Wipe Down Leaves: Wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove pests.
• Insecticidal Soap or Neem Oil: Treat the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil, following the product instructions carefully.
• Repeat Treatment: Repeat the treatment every few days until the pests are gone.

6. Nutrient Deficiency: Missing Essentials

Money plants need essential nutrients to thrive. A lack of nutrients can lead to various problems, including curling leaves.

Signs of Nutrient Deficiency

• Pale Leaves: Leaves might appear pale or yellowish.
• Slow Growth: The plant might not be growing as quickly as it should.

Fertilizing Your Money Plant

• Use a Balanced Fertilizer: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Look for a fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) that’s suitable for houseplants.
• Fertilize During Growing Season: Fertilize during the growing season (spring and summer) every 4-6 weeks.
• Avoid Over-Fertilizing: Over-fertilizing can burn the roots and damage the plant.

7. Root Bound: Outgrowing the Pot

When a money plant’s roots become too crowded in its pot, it can become root-bound, hindering its ability to absorb water and nutrients effectively.

Identifying a Root-Bound Plant

• Roots Circling the Pot: Roots might be growing out of the drainage holes or circling the inside of the pot.
• Slow Growth: The plant’s growth might slow down.
• Frequent Watering: The plant might dry out very quickly after watering.

Repotting Your Money Plant

1. Choose a Larger Pot: Select a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot.
2. Gently Remove the Plant: Carefully remove the plant from its pot.
3. Loosen the Roots: Gently loosen the roots with your fingers. If the roots are tightly bound, you can make a few vertical cuts along the root ball.
4. Repot in Fresh Soil: Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining potting mix.
5. Water Thoroughly: Water the plant thoroughly after repotting.

Alright, so you’ve got the lowdown on money plant leaves curling! Hopefully, these tips help you bring your plant back to its happy, healthy self. Happy growing!