Reasons and Solutions for Curling Leaves of the Spider Plant

I have been growing spider plants for a few months, and everything was going well. However, a few days ago, I noticed that the leaves of my spider plant started to curl. I was confused about where I went wrong. Of course, it’s disheartening to see the results worsen after investing so much hard work.

You know what? I didn’t give up. Instead, I delved into learning every single detail to identify where I went wrong and ways to fix the curling of spider plant leaves. Unfortunately, it’s common to find spider plant leaves curling, which makes it challenging to find out the cause.

But don’t worry, fellow plant lovers that’s why I’m here to help you, I’ve explained below all the reasons, types of leaves curling and ways to fix your spider plant leaves curling. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s fix the problem as soon as possible!

Reasons and Ways to Fix Curling Leaves of the Spider Plant

Here I’ve pinned down the problem that used to cause curling leaves of the spider plant also with ways to eliminate the culprit:

Underwatering:

• Yes, the water issue is considered the most common cause of curling leaves on spider plants.
• It seems like water issues are responsible for at least one of the plant health problems.
• Check out if the spider plant is experiencing this issue. You need to feel the soil with your finger or use a wooden chopstick, or you can use a moisture meter to check the moisture level of the soil.
• When you find the soil is dried, mainly when you water the plant a few days ago, it means the plant is underwater.

How to Fix:

• The obvious solution to trade the plant from underwater is to water the plant.
• Make the soil get good soak and let it drain out the bottom of the pot.
• Make sure you water the plant regularly. Whenever the top few inches of the soil feel dry or the moisture meter reads three means that it’s time to water the plant.
• In case the plant is consistently drying out, just a few days after you water even after you thoroughly water the plant, which means the soil drains too quickly in that condition you need to repot the plant into a fresh potting Mix with a little more water retention but be careful not to add more water, which will lead to another problem.

Overwatering:

• Not only does underwatering, lead to the curling of leaves of the spider plant, but over-watering is also the reason. 
• To check what the reason is, you need to again, evaluate the moisture level of the soil.
• In case the soil feels soggy or the moisture meter reads wet, it means the plant is overwatered.

How to Fix:

• Although treating an overwatered plant is a little more complex than an underwater plant.
• Even after when you try less watering, the problem is not solved, then it could be because of the soil or the pot drainage.
• In case the pot doesn’t have a drainage hole or the hole is obstructed and not leading water to drain out properly, this will lead to a problem.
• In case the soil is too dense, compacted, or poorly aerated it might be responsible for over-watering issues even when you don’t water, the plant.
• After identifying the cause of curling leaves of the spider plant over watering, then you need to think about the quality of the soil as well as repot the plant into more appropriate soil.

Water Purity:

• The spider plant is sensitive to chemicals and other substances, which are present in tap water which causes curling leave of the spider plant.

How to Fix:

• To fix the problem of watering purity, you need to use purified, distilled, or rainwater, rather than tap water or softened water.
• In case it is not possible, then you can leave the tap water out at least overnight before watering the plant so that the chlorine and the chemicals get evaporate.

Soil pH:

• Maintaining soil pH levels is an important factor for growing healthy spider plants. 
• The plant is used to thrive best in slightly alkaline soil with a pH level of 6.1 to 6.5.
• Most houseplant soils fall within this range but it some might not due to which the pH can change over time. 
• You can test the pH levels of soil with a pH meter and when the moisture meter measures soil pH light levels that is great. 

How to Fix:

• In case the soil’s pH isn’t ideal for the spider plant, you need to repot the plant into a more appropriate soil.
• The indoor plant soil is perfect for growing spider plants where you can find plenty of potting mixes on the market. 

Root Rot:

• The curling leaves of the spider plant can also be because of root rot, mainly when the root is soft having dark brown spots on the leaves. 
• Root rot is considered a bacterial or fungal infection that occurs when the plant is overwatered, make sure to treat the plant quickly before it kills the plant.
• In case the soil is wet and see any telltale brown spots on the leaves or a bad smell coming from the soil then it’s a straight sign of root rot. 

How to Fix:

• You need to unpot the plant and massage as much of the old soil out of the root ball as soon as possible. 
• Make sure to trim away all darkened, mushy, or stinky roots. 
• You need to repot the spider plant in a clean pot and fresh, fast-draining soil.
• Replace the plant in a spot with lots of bright, indirect sunlight and then water in less amount. 
• While watering, try to mix in a bit of root supplement which will help the roots to heal and prevent the infection from returning. 

Pests Infestation:

• The pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips use to suck the juices out of the spider plant’s leaves that cause the curling leaves of the spider plant. 
• You will find tiny red or brown spots, cottony webbing, or honeydew present on the spider plant leaves. 

How to Fix:

• It is possible to treat insect infestation by rinsing off the plant which will remove as many of the insects as possible. 
• Try using a lint roller on the leaves to physically remove the pests or a kitchen syringe to squirt them off. 
• In extreme cases, you need to wash the plant using a gentle insecticidal soap or completely remove the affected leaves to stop further infestation from spreading. 
• After removing as many of the insects, now it’s time to spray the plant with leaf armor, diluted neem oil, or a gentle insecticide. Repeat the process a few times as new generations of pests hatch. 
• The neem oil consists of a strong, garlicky smell so do the process outside if possible. 

Direct Sunlight:

• The spider plant used to grow best in bright, indirect sunlight.
• Providing the plant with direct sun, mainly during midday or afternoon will scorch the plant leaves and cause them to curl. 
• In case of sun rays falling directly on the plant’s leaves after about 10:00 am that will result in bad news. 
• You need to keep an eye on the plant’s light condition all over the year and according to the conditions you need to make an adjustment like the plant is in direct sun at a certain point in the year.

How to Fix:

• To treat the spider plant you need to move the spider plant to a better spot where it gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight but no direct sun. 
• In case the plant is suffering from serious scorching the leaves will not heal so the good idea is to remove the damaged leaves so that the plant can redirect the energy towards healthy new growth of the plant. 

Pot-Bound: 

• In case the spider plant becomes pot-bound it does have a problem in growing as well as in absorbing water and nutrients which will cause the curling leaves of the spider plant. 
• If the plant is suffering from root bound, the soil will be hard and compacted in the pot. 
• You need to notice the roots growing around the inside of the pot in a circle or they will be popping out of the soil and even the drainage hole which is a sign of roots are squishing and want someplace to go. 
• You can try repotting the spider plant into a slightly larger pot every year or two so that the roots get space to spread out. 
• Try repotting the plant to refresh the soil and replenish nutrients and the soil’s microbiome.

How to Fix:

• In case the spider plant is pot-bound or it’s been more than two years since you have repotted then it’s time to repot the plant. 
• You need to unpot the spider plant by tipping the pot and carefully coaxing the plant out. 
• Remember not to pull out the leaves or stems, you need to use a knife or trowel to lever the root ball out. 
• You need to massage the root ball to break up and remove as much of the old soil as possible. 
• You need to clean the pot which is 2-3 inches larger in size than the old pot and add some fast-draining soil to the bottom. 
• You need to place the spider plant in the pot and fill the sides with more soil. 
• Make sure to add some soil on top as well but remember to leave an inch or two for watering. 
• If you repot the plant, you need to give good water and let the plant drain out. 
• Now it’s time to add more soil to the top when needed to compensate for shrinkage. 
• You can plant it back in a spot that will make the plant happy before repotting the plant and it will get the time to adjust to the new potting situation. 
• Just avoid fertilizing the plant for a month or two after repotting which will protect the plant from damaging the sensitive roots. 
• You can resume fertilizing when the plant is grown which will give the nutrients in the pot. 
• In case the plant is looking droopy after repotting, just don’t worry it will recover within a week or so. 

Conclusion:

The curling leaves of the spider plant are signs that the plant is not happy with their environment. You need to treat and prevent the conditions and provide the best care if possible such as ideal light conditions, proper watering, well-draining soil, and repotting as needed.