Nasturtium leaves are recognizable by their curvy shape and ability to produce red funnel-shaped flowers.
These leaves can live for many years with the proper care and garden maintenance. However, plants are fragile species and expose themselves to pests and diseases.
Curling is a common symptom amongst plants and can pose a problem for your nasturtium leaves.
This article will guide you through the reasons why curling happens and solutions to preventing it from happening.
What Is Curling?
As it sounds, the leaves of your plant will lose their flat shape and curl upwards. The outer edges may look rotted, but curling often shows the underside of the leaves.
Nasturtium owners who witness curling should take it as a sign of their care. Continuing to maintain the plant without precaution can lead to dead leaves.
Why Do Nasturtium Leaves Curl?
There are numerous reasons for nasturtium leaves curling. The general cause is a lack of knowledge and proper maintenance.
If you notice curling on your leaves, here are some common reasons that cause this.
Too Much Light
Plants and sunlight go hand-in-hand with each other. A plant thrives on the sun’s warmth as a nutrient and needs it to survive.
The amount of sunlight needed varies with each plant, and too much can lead to heat stress. The leaves counter the direct sunlight by curling to preserve moisture.
Overwatering
Similar to sunlight, plants require a certain amount of water to live. Not enough water can lead to a plant’s dehydration, but overwatering can also lead to problems.
Too much water can cause root rot and leads to the leaves curling upwards. The top two inches of soil should be dry before adding water.
Pests
Nasturtium leaves can attract pests who reside in the pots and nibble away at the plant.
The black bean aphid is known as an inevitable pest to this plant. It can infest the stems and underside of the leaves and cause curling and distortion.
Nitrogen Deficiency
Plants require nitrogen to transform sunlight into food. It’s a vital component in chlorophyll, and a lack of nitrogen can suggest unhealthy leaves.
When there’s a nitrogen deficiency, the nasturtium reserves its remaining nitrogen for the new leaves. Older leaves are left to suffer and curl up due to the lack of nitrogen.
How Can You Prevent Nasturtium Leaves From Curling?
When the nasturtium leaves curl, it seems there’s no way to fix it. However, there are methods to save and prevent curling from happening.
Don’t physically uncurl the leaves; use these tips for proper plant maintenance.
Relocation
If your plant is sitting under a lot of direct sunlight or shade, consider moving it to a different location.
Take control over how much sunlight the nasturtium leaves absorb and monitor closely. If the plant returns to its normal state in the new location, you will know the previous overabundance or lack of sunlight is to blame for the nasturtium leaves curling.
Drainage Holes
If you are not sure if you are overwatering your plants, consider a pot with drainage holes.
Adding gravel and stones at the pot’s base improves water drainage from the soil.
Insecticide
Consider using insecticide if you have a pest infestation. Clearing bugs will prevent leaf destruction. Be cautious with your application of insecticide. Too many harmful chemicals can stunt plant growth.
Conclusion
Nasturtium leaves are not difficult to care for, but like most plants, they are susceptible to many harmful environmental factors.
Shower your plant with proper care to prevent your nasturtium leaves from curling. Nasturtium can be planted in a vegetable garden as they make great companion plants.