Why Are Zebra Plant Leaves Curling

Houseplants
Zebra Plant Leaves Curling

Zebra plants are quickly becoming very popular among gardeners. These gorgeous plans can brighten any home, so their growing popularity is not surprising. Zebra plants add a great atmosphere to any home, but the trouble is that it's not the easiest plant to care for. It is also true that many people still don't know how to care for these plants properly.

All these factors contribute to the fact that it is not always clear how o proceed if something goes wrong with your Zebra plant. Keep in mind that these plants can be picky when it comes to requirements they require, so it is possible to make only a minor error and end up with a problem with your plant. Zebra plant leaves curling is probably one of the most common issues you might encounter with your plant.

Zebra Plant Leaves Curling Is a Common Problem

Zebra plant leaves curling is a relatively common problem you may encounter. These plants are sensitive, so there are many different causes of this issue. If this happens, don't panic: it is, most of the time, just a minor issue that can be corrected.

The only thing you need to do is to identify the cause of the problem. Zebra plant leaves curling can be caused by numerous factors, such as inadequate care regime. For example, your plant might curl its leaves because it has too much sunlight, or because there are issues with temperature and humidity. Alternatively, curling leaves can also be caused by too much fertilizing, bad watering regime, or bad soil drainage. Finally, the cause might be a disease, such as a fungal disease.

It's important to know how to indentify the problem so you can correct it. Make sure to observe your plant carefully and to adjust care regime if you notice that your Zebra plant is not thriving.

Common Reasons Why Zebra Plant Leaves Are Curling

Here are the most common reasons for Zebra plant leaves curling, how to identify them, and how to solve them so you can make your plant thrive.

The most common causes of Zebra plant leaves curling include:

Too Much Light

This is by far the most common cause of Zebra plant leaves curling. Too much sunlight can make the leaves curl in no time, and it can also cause leaves to scorch. This particularly happens if you put your Zebra plant on direct sunlight.

The best care regime for Zebra plant is bright yet indirect sunlight – direct sunlight exposure is too strong for this plant. You may also choose to keep your Zebra plant in partial shade, but complete shade is not good either, since it will prevent it from flowering.

This is why it's important to choose adequate spot that is not too dark. Too much darkness can kill the plant. If it doesn't have enough light, you can expect it to wilt. On the other hand, the light should never be direct or else you risk curling of the leaves or scorching of the leaves on your plant. It is always best to give your Zebra plant enough bright yet indirect sunlight.

Inadequate Watering

It is absolutely essential that you give your Zebra plant adequate watering regime so it can thrive. Keep in mind that these plants are very sensitive to low water, which can cause a lot of problems very quickly. Your Zebra plant leaves curling, plant wilting and other issues can develop if you don't water properly or if you don't provide your plant with enough water.

You have to keep the soil moist during the growing season. Do not make it soggy, but you should never let it dry too much.

During the winter months, you can wait longer between waterings. Make sure to keep the soil just a bit moist.

At the same time, you have to make sure that you are not overwatering your plant. This can lead to a different set of issues, such as root rot.

Inadequate Temperature and Humidity

This is another common problem. Keep in mind that Zebra plants require certain levels of temperature and humidity to thrive. It should be kept at temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F. During the night, the plant can do well in temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees F. However, if temperature gets too cold, your plant will be affected. When it comes to humidity, ideal humidity levels are between 40% and 80%.

Ideally, you should keep your Zebra plant in a consistent temperature. If you do so, you likely won't need to worry about temperature issues. Make sure that the chosen spot is away from draft. If there is a lot of temperature fluctuation or drafts, you may notice your Zebra plant leaves curling.

Similarly, make sure that you keep your Zebra plant at high humidity areas. Air that is too dry can cause problems for this plant. This can lead to wilting and leaves curling. The good news is that it's relatively easy to fix any humidity issues that might be present. You can get a humidifier for your home to raise the moisture around your plants, or you might place water trays with pebbles around the plants for the same purpose.

It is best to keep the humidity around 60% and 70%. Lower than 40% can cause your Zebra plant leaves curling, while too much humidity (over 80%) can cause fungal problems.

Too Much Fertilizer

If you conclude that your Zebra plant leaves curling is not due to improper light, water, temperature and humidity, you might need to check how you fertilize your plant. Using too much fertilizer can cause a lot of problems for Zebra plants.

Too much fertilizer can be harsh on the Zebra plant, so it can develop curled leaves or it might stat to wilt. If this happens, make sure to dilute the fertilizer whenever you apply it, and also reduce the amount of fertilizer you give to your Zebra plant. Fertilizing once in two weeks seems to be a good regime during the growing season. During the winter months, stop using fertilizer altogether.

Improper Soil Drainage

Another thing that you might encounter is improper soil drainage, since it is something that can cause your Zebra plant leaves to curl.  It may be caused by the fact that your plant can't dry out completely after watering. You should aim for soil that can hold moisture while also draining properly.

It is important to note that you can also make your own soil for your Zebra plant. A good potting mix is the one that has two parts peat moss, one part in garden soil, and one part coarse sand. It is also important to make sure that the pH values of the soil you use for your Zebra plant are between 5.6 and 6.0. These plants like moderate acid soil so this is the best type of environment to make them thrive.

Disease

If you checked your plant and none of the above problems are present, it is possible that your Zebra plant has some sort of a disease. Fungal diseases are particularly common, and they can cause curling of the leaves. If not curling, you may notice that the appearance of the leaves will change. For example, it may cause water-soaked spots on the leaves. You may also notice the leaves turning yellow.

It is very important to act quickly if you notice any of these problems. Fungal diseases can kill a Zebra plant very quickly. Prevention is always the best cause of action so make sure to observe your plant carefully to notice any potential problems before they get too serious.

Photo credit: Jamelle Bouie

 

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