Hoya plants are my favorite tropical succulents in my indoor plant collection. Thanks to its beautiful foliages and bloom. The houseplant is super easy to care for despite being more vulnerable to common leaf problems.
So, why are my hoya leaves curling? Possible causes for hoya kerrii leaves curling are inconsistent watering habits, temperature stress, and low humidity. Other minor causes are pest infestations and plant diseases.
This article will help you identify reasons why your hoya leaves are curling and show you how to restore the plant to perfect health. Take the time to read the article from the start to the end for more detailed insights.
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7 Reasons Why Your Hoya Leaves Are Curling
Hoya leaves begin to curl when the plant is grown in unfavorable conditions that cause stress. This tropical plant is native to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. The weather condition is usually warm, wet, and humid.
Preventing hoya leaves from curling is about providing a conducive growing condition that mimics its native habitat. Below are the possible causes of hoya leaves curling and tips for fixing the problem with ease.
Hoya Leaves Curling Due to Overwatering
Overwatering is the leading cause of hoya leaves curling. It occurs due to excess water in the potting soil with improper drainage. The condition prevents the roots from getting access to sufficient oxygen supply.
The root suffocation inhibits the absorption of water and other vital minerals. The leaves begin to curl to save on the available water and enhance survival. Besides that, the condition fosters the development of fungal disease (root rot) that causes damages.
Other symptoms of the overwatered hoya plant are leaves turning yellow and brown. If the condition persists for a couple of days, the plant will start to limp and die eventually. Detecting these symptoms at early stages will help to restore the plant to its perfect health.
The best option is to re-pot the houseplant to fresh potting soil. Be sure to trim the affected roots with a sterilized pruner. Develop a strict watering schedule to avoid overwatering and under-watering problems.
Inconsistent Watering Habits (Under-Watering)
Hoya plants can tolerate dry conditions for a couple of days without becoming fussy. But prolonged exposure to dry conditions makes the leaves start curling and becoming crispy. Under-watering is another common cause of hoya leaves curling.
Handling the under-watering issue is much easier than overwatering. The plant owner does not have to deal with root rot at all. Reviving the plant to perfect health takes less than 72 hours without using magical tools or skills.
Hoya plant tends to curl leaves to reduce the surface area that enhances transpiration rate. The intention is to save available water for survival during harsh conditions. Other signs of under-watering are leaves turning yellow and brown on the edges.
The golden rule is to soak the potting soil with plenty of water. Allow the container to sit for few hours until excess water passes through the drainage holes at the bottom. Be sure to inspect the soil moisture before watering the plant to avoid overwatering issues.
Temperature Stress Causing Hoya Leaves to Curl
Maintaining a constant indoor temperature for growing hoya plants can be intimidating. The temperature fluctuation is also responsible for the hoya leaves curling problem. The houseplant prefers a temperature range of 60-85oF.
Extremely cold temperatures can shock the plant and cause the leaves to curl in response to the cold weather. Besides that, high indoor temperatures can cause plant stress leading to leaves curling and turning brown.
I recommend installing a digital thermometer in the house to help in detecting temperature change. Be sure to keep the plant away from cold drafts, vents, heaters, and radiators to avoid leaf curling issues.
Lack of Humidity
Hoya plants thrive in a warm and humid environment. Low humidity usually makes hoya leaves curl and turn brown on the edges or tips. Dry air around the houseplant tends to be harmful to the leaves since they prefer average humidity levels.
Most hoya species have succulent properties. It implies that these plants do not need a lot of water for survival. Therefore, high humidity can cause hoya leaves to turn brown and falling off in the long run.
Install a humidifier (Check Best Deals on Amazon) in the house to increase the humidity level around the plant. Another excellent alternative is to grow the hoya plant among other houseplants. I do not recommend misting the leaves to avoid the hoya leaf spot problem.
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Pest Infestations
Hoya plants are less susceptible to pests. But providing improper growing conditions will make your hoya plant more vulnerable to insect infestations. Spider mites, thrips, aphids, and scales are the most common pests attacking most hoya species.
These sap-sucking creatures usually damage the leaves’ vital tissues and drain nutrients to cause curling problems. Other signs of pest infestations are irregular brown spots or patches and leave turning yellow.
Be sure to isolate the plant from others and treat it to eliminate the pests. The isolation helps to prevent the insects from spreading to other houseplants. I recommend using either horticultural neem oil or an alcohol swab to kill these insects.
Hoya Transplant Stress
Re-potting hoya plants more often could be the reason behind the leaves curling. These houseplants are less susceptible to root-bound issues, and there is no need for transplanting.
Hoya leaves curling due to transplant shock tend to last for a short period. Once the roots have acclimated to the fresh potting soil, the leaves will be restored to their perfect shape and pattern.
Direct Sunlight Exposure
If your hoya plant is exposed to direct sunlight, the leaves will begin to curl and develop brown patches or marks due to sunburn.
Curling occurs to reduce the surface area to prevent water loss. Consider changing the current position of the plant to a place that receives bright indirect sunlight.
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Related Questions
Why Are My Hoya Leaves Soft?
Soft hoya leaves occur due to overwatering stress, temperature, inappropriate light, improper soil drainage, pest infestations, and diseases.
Why Are My Hoya Kerrii New Leaves Curling?
Possible causes are low humidity and improper watering technique. Besides that, exposure to direct sunlight and temperature stress are other potential causes.
Why Are My Hoya Leaves Turning Yellow And Falling Off?
Too much sunlight and overwatering are the leading cause of hoya leaves turning brown and falling off. Other possible causes are low humidity and pest infestations.
Why Is My Hoya Kerrii Single Leaf Turning Brown?
Aging and injury could be the reason behind turning brown. The gold rule is to inspect and examine the plant to identify other possible causes.
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Final Thoughts
Hoya plants are the easiest indoor plants to grow and maintain. Thanks to the ability to tolerate harsh weather conditions without becoming fussy.
But neglecting the houseplant for a longer period will make it more vulnerable to common diseases. Hoya leaf problem is inevitable despite providing favorable growing conditions.
Hoya leaves curling to occur due to low humidity, improper watering techniques, and temperature shock. Other minor causes are pests, diseases, and transplant stress.
I hope the information will help you fix the hoya leaves curling. The golden rule is to identify the cause and show the appropriate technique for fixing it.
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