As I’m sure you already know, plant leaves curling are usually not normal and is a sign that your plant requires your attention.
Azalea’s are no exception, so when you notice your Azalea leaves curling, then it’s time to have a deeper look at what’s going on.
Unfortunately, there are actually many causes for curly leaves on an Azalea, just like plants in general, but in this article I will help you narrow it down with some of the most common causes for the curly leaves.
So here are the most common causes and what you can do to prevent or correct this issue as it’s noticed.
Pests
I would have to say pests are the number one cause for curly leaves on Azalea’s.
Pests like thrips, spider mites, scales and the Azalea lace bug are some of the many pests that can invade the plant, feed on the sap taking nutrients and overall leaving the plants leaves dehydrated and curly.
Some signs you have a pest issue include curled leaves, drooping leaves, holes in the foliage, white leaves or bumps, yellowing or browning or even the pests themselves.
Solution
The first thing you want to do when encountering pests is to isolate your Azalea from other plants to prevent the spread from one another.
Next you have a few options for countering the bugs.
For some pests you can just use water pressure to spray them away, but this doesn’t always work or help keep them away.
For pest control, I personally like to use neem oil as it’s quite an effective pesticide as well as a fungicide so it’s great to have handy.
Plus this stuff helps keep them from returning.
I recommend this neem oil if you want to try it out.
Just be aware that you should keep your Azalea in shade until it dries as it has a tendency to burn foliage if left out in the heat before it has a chance to dry out.
Underwatering
I would have to say that underwatering is probably the second most common cause for leaves curling on an Azalea.
By not providing enough water or moisture to your plant, you can expect the leaves to start looking dried up and dehydrated which can cause them to curl in response.
Azalea’s like the soil to be kept at least somewhat moist at all times, but don’t go overboard as they don’t like wet feet.
Solution
If you suspect underwatering is the cause for your leaves curling, then it’s time to have a look at how much you’re actually watering.
Now I don’t recommend a set watering schedule as it’s needs can change from season to season or when other factors are at play.
Instead you should just water fully and then wait for the soil to nearly dry out before watering again.
If the top inch or two of the soil has dried up then you’re good to water, otherwise I would hold off.
Once your Azalea starts to get enough water, without going overboard of course, you can expect the curly leaves to return to normal.
Overwatering
Just like underwatering can cause curly Azalea leaves, so can overwatering.
With that said, I would say overwatering will lead more to droopy leaves more so than curling but it can happen or look sort of similar.
This is because overwatering can clog the roots, not allowing them to send nutrients to the rest of the plant causing similar symptoms to underwatering.
Some signs you have been overwatering include yellowing of the leaves, foliage turning brown, drooping and overall root rot.
Solution
As mentioned before, you will have to see how you have been watering and then start watering the right way.
This means watering fully and then waiting until the top inch or so has completely dried out before giving your Azalea another drink.
If you swear you have been watering correctly, then it could just be the soil you’re using.
If you want to learn everything about Azalea soil needs then you can check out that article as it will tell you everything you need to know.
Too Much Light
Too much light or if the light is too intense can also cause curly Azalea leaves as light can dry them out and overall dehydrate them which causes curling in response.
Too much light is also a major cause for Azalea leaves turning red if you want to check that out.
Azalea’s do require a good bit of light per day, 10 plus hours of bright indirect light that is with a few hours of full sun being just fine.
You just don’t want your Azalea to sit out in full sun all day as that is where the problem will stem from.
Solution
When growing Azalea’s outdoors, you should find a spot to grow where the plant will receive plenty of shade throughout the day.
This can be done under balconies, trees or really anywhere that gets bright indirect light with some shade.
When growing indoors, you can use virtually any window as long as the plant isn’t sitting right up against any given window.
This is because the closer the plant is to the window, the higher chance the suns rays will directly hit the plant.
Nitrogen Deficiency
It’s possible that the cause for your curling Azalea leaves can be caused by a nitrogen deficiency.
When this happens, the older leaves towards the bottom will begin curling while the newer leaves may seem unaffected.
Nitrogen is a valuable nutrient in Azalea’s and not having enough of it can affect the plant by causing stunted growth, yellowish leaves and other issues.
Solution
If you suspect a nitrogen deficiency is the cause for the curly leaves, then you may need to check the soil ph first.
A soil that is too alkaline can cause nutrient loss in Azalea’s so it’s important that the soil is kept in the right ph range.
If you want to check your soil’s ph then you can get an affordable at home tester to find out.
If or when your soil is good to go, you can also try a balanced fertilizer and use it at half strength by following the manufacturers directions.
FAQ’s
Below are some common questions on the topic of curly Azalea leaves and the answers to them.
Why Are My Azalea’s Leaves Curling Up?
Usually the cause for Azalea leaves curling upwards will be caused by too much light or underwatering.
This is due to the plant trying to retain any moisture that it can and curling upwards is the best way it knows how.
How Do You Fix Curling Leaves?
To fix curling Azalea leaves, you will first need to identify the cause and then you need to correct what’s causing it.
Usually once the cause has been corrected, the leaves will return to normal on their own.
However, if the leaves have been heavily damaged, especially when discoloration occurs, it’s best to prune back the unrecoverable leaves to make way for new growth.
Why Are My Leaves Curling Down?
Usually in the case of leaves curling down, this can be attributed to your Azalea being overwatered or having too many nutrients provided.
Azalea Leaves Curling Under?
With Azalea leaves curling under, you can expect this to also be caused by too much light or by too much heat, similar to curling upwards.