As a plant lover, nothing beats the sight of lush, vibrant leaves. Healthy plants not only look good but also produce stunning blooms and robust seeds. However, it's common for plants to develop issues affecting their vibrance and health.
In this regard, one of the things you should be keen on is the leaves of your cannabis plants curling upwards. It indicates that the environmental conditions are unfavorable for your plant and will result in lower yields if left unchecked.
Numerous factors can cause cannabis leaves to curl upwards, including pests, heat, and nutrient deficiency. Therefore, understanding the cause is the first step toward restoring your plants' top-notch condition.
In this article, you'll gain invaluable insights into what causes plant leaves to curl upwards and how to remedy the situation.
Why do Plant Leaves Curl?
By nature, cannabis leaves are not curly. Therefore, when you notice leaves curling upwards, it's a sign that something is wrong. In most cases, it happens due to the plant trying to cope with the harsh living conditions.
Fortunately, with indoor plants, you can quickly identify and remedy such issues. Here are some of the leading causes of plant leaves curling upwards.
-
Pests
When it comes to plant health issues, pests are the primary cause. Therefore, inspect the plants for uninvited guests once you notice leaves curling up.
For cannabis plants, common culprits include aphids, whiteflies, and other sucking insects. These troublemakers often hide on the underside of the leaves and can distort them, resulting in upward curls. Ensure you thoroughly assess your plants, as some pests can be very small or hard to spot.
Once you determine pests are the cause, you can get rid of them in several ways. If you prefer a natural pest control method, dilute liquid soap and spray it on the plants. With this method, you can keep applying until the pests are entirely eradicated.
Another method that may yield results quickly is using pesticides. Purchase one that's effective with the pest you're dealing with.
Should the pest infection be severe, consider pruning the affected areas to eliminate the pests and their eggs while encouraging regrowth.
-
Chemical Damage from Herbicides
Keeping herbs at bay is essential for the healthy growth of your plants. If you use herbicides, ensure you target the weeds invading your plantation. Otherwise, your cannabis plants will also be affected severely.
Should you notice signs of chemical damage from herbicides, douse your plant with water immediately and give it a dose of fertilizer. This will help prevent it from drying up and dying. But if the damage is severe, you should also remove the affected parts.
-
Overwatering
Considering the leaf of a cannabis plant is 90% water, it needs sufficient water to thrive. However, be keen not to overwater the plants as it can affect them negatively. It can cause the roots to rot, which can result in leaves curling upwards.
One of the best ways to avoid overwatering your plants is only adding water when the top couple of inches of soil dries out completely. Moreover, you should use pots with drainage holes and add gravel or stones at the base to improve drainage when repotting.
If your plant's leaves are curling upwards and the soil is soaked, take your plant out to inspect for root rot. Remove mushy, unhealthy roots to prevent the spread of rot.
-
Too Much Heat
Plants enjoy some warmth, but too much heat can lead to rapid water loss, making leaves curl upwards. This is because curling leaves upwards allows plants to conserve water.
Move your plant away from heat sources like radiators or windows that magnify sunlight. Also, ensure the area has adequate airflow or place a fan nearby to help cool it down.
-
Viral Infection
When it comes to leaves curling upwards, the biggest threat your plants face is viral infections, as they're incurable. If you suspect a plant is infected, move it away from the rest to prevent the virus from spreading.
You should also check nearby plants and remove any that also show signs of infection.
-
Too Much Light
Many plants, especially those from tropical climates, prefer indirect sunlight. Excessive light can lead to curled leaves and browning due to overactive photosynthesis. Think of it like us eating too much – not good for anyone.
If older leaves are curling and newer ones are smaller with brown tips, excessive light might be the issue. Relocate your plant to a shadier spot or use a net curtain to reduce sunlight intensity.
-
Nitrogen Deficiency
Nitrogen is essential for chlorophyll, which allows plants to convert sunlight into food. When the plant faces a deficiency, it will prioritize newer leaves over older ones, causing the latter to curl up.
So, if you notice leaves near the base of the plant curling up, you're likely dealing with a nitrogen deficiency. You can address this with amino acid supplements. However, consider a high-nitrogen formula if your plants are about to blossom.
Keep Your Plants in Tip Top Shape
While any plant issues like pest and overheating are easy to miss, they can have a devastating effect. Therefore, to ensure the long-term wellbeing of your plants, it's vital that you take proactive approach to plant care.
You can start by mimicking their natural habitat in terms of heat, light, and watering. You should also focus on providing proper care, which involves the right nutrients and staying vigilant for signs of trouble. Furthermore, build an inventory of solutions to tackle common problems to prepare you for anything that may arise.
However, even with the best care, you may not yield desired results if you're not planting high-quality seeds. This is where Kind Seed Co comes into play. We're the trusted provider of cannabis seeds for millions of growers across the US.
With us you don't just get quality cannabis seeds, you'll also have a team of experts available to guide you. So, reach out to us today to get top-quality cannabis seeds.
