Bird of paradise plant leaves curling?
On an indoor Bird of Paradise, curling leaves usually mean the roots are either too dry or staying too wet, but window heat, cold draughts, pests, and product burn can also do it.
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The causes in full
Dry soil and underwateringMOST COMMON
How to tell
The pot feels light, the top two inches are dry, and very dry soil may shrink away from the pot edge while leaves curl inward or fold.
What to do
If the soil is dry two inches down, water slowly until water runs from the drainage holes. If the root ball is bone dry and pulling from the pot, soak the pot in a basin for 20 to 30 minutes, then let it drain fully.
Overwatering or poor drainageCOMMON
How to tell
The soil feels wet or still damp two inches down several days after watering, the pot may be heavy, and the lowest leaves may curl, yellow, or soften first.
What to do
If the soil is soggy or still damp two inches down, withhold water until the top two to three inches feel dry. Make sure the pot has drainage holes, empty any outer cachepot or saucer after watering, and repot into fresh airy potting mix if the soil smells sour or roots are brown and mushy.
Hot direct sun through glassCOMMON
How to tell
Curling is worst on the side facing the window, especially after strong afternoon sun, and the soil dries much faster than usual.
What to do
Move the plant back from the glass or filter the hottest sun with a sheer curtain. If the soil is dry two inches down after the heat exposure, water thoroughly and let the pot drain; if it is still damp, do not water just because the leaves are curled.
Cold draught or cold window glassLESS COMMON
How to tell
Curling appears after a cold night, an open window, a heating or AC draught, or leaves touching cold glass, often on the exposed side first.
What to do
Move the plant where leaves do not touch the window and where it is away from cold draughts or blasts of hot dry air. Keep watering based on the soil check only: water if the soil is dry two inches down, and wait if it is still damp.
Thrips or spider mitesLESS COMMON
How to tell
Look closely at the undersides of leaves and inside new rolled leaves for tiny moving specks, fine webbing, pale stippling, silvery streaks, or black dots of frass.
What to do
Rinse and wipe the leaves, especially undersides and new rolled growth, then treat with a labeled insecticidal soap or horticultural oil and repeat as the label directs. Do not change the watering routine unless the soil check calls for it: water only if the soil is dry two inches down.
Fertiliser, leaf-shine, or spray burnRARE
How to tell
Curling started soon after fertilising, using leaf-shine, spraying for pests, or treating the plant while it sat in sun, and the newest leaves or sprayed side are worst.
What to do
Stop the product and move the plant out of direct sun while it recovers. If the soil is dry two inches down, water thoroughly to runoff to dilute excess fertiliser; if the soil is damp, wait until it dries to that point before flushing.
Will it recover?
Leaves curled from thirst or brief heat may partly reopen, but scorched, pest-damaged, yellow, or mushy leaves will not fully repair, so the main goal is healthy new growth.
Stopping it happening again
Keep the plant in bright light near a window but not pressed to hot or cold glass, use a draining pot, water only after the top two to three inches dry, and inspect new leaves and undersides regularly.
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