Calathea Leaves Curling or Crispy? The 4 Usual Causes and Fixes

Calathea leaves curl and go crispy at the edges for four main reasons: dry air, tap water it doesn't like, too much direct sun, and uneven watering. Calatheas (and their relatives the prayer plants, marantas and stromanthes) are rainforest floor plants, so they want steady moisture, humid air and soft light. The good news is that the fixes are simple, and once conditions are right, new leaves come out flat and clean. Old damage won't reverse, so judge your progress by the new leaves.

First, curling at night is normal

Calatheas and marantas are "prayer plants". Their leaves fold up in the evening and open in the morning. If the leaves curl at night and flatten by day, that's the plant working properly.

Curling that lasts all day, especially with crispy edges, is the problem.

1. Dry air (the most common cause)

Leaves curl lengthways to hold in moisture when the air is dry. Winter heating is the usual trigger.

Fix: - Run a humidifier near the plant. This is the one fix that really works. - Group it with other plants. - Use a pebble tray: a saucer of pebbles and water, with the pot sitting on the pebbles above the water. - Keep it away from radiators, heaters and air vents.

Misting feels helpful but only raises humidity for a few minutes.

2. The water

Calatheas are sensitive to fluoride, chlorine and hard water. The tell-tale sign is brown, crispy edges and tips even when humidity is decent.

Fix: water with filtered water, rainwater or distilled water. If that's a hassle, leave tap water out overnight; it lets some chlorine escape, though it won't remove fluoride or hardness. Every few months, flush the pot with plenty of good water to wash out built-up minerals.

3. Too much sun

Direct sun bleaches calathea leaves and scorches the edges, and the leaves curl to protect themselves.

Fix: bright but indirect light, a few feet back from an east or west window, or behind a sheer curtain. Calatheas cope with lower light better than with sun, which is why they appear on most low light plant lists.

4. Watering: too little or too much

• Too dry: leaves curl, droop and go crispy. Calatheas don't like drying out completely.
• Too wet: leaves curl and turn yellow, stems go soft at the base, and the soil smells sour.

Fix: water when the top inch of soil is dry, thoroughly, and let it drain. Never let the pot sit in water. Our guide to overwatering vs underwatering shows how to tell the two apart.

Other things that cause curling

• Cold draughts: below about 60°F (15°C), leaves curl and spot. Keep it away from doors and cold windows in winter.
• Pests: spider mites love the dry air calatheas hate. Look under the leaves for fine webbing or speckling. See spider mites and mealybugs.
• Recent repotting or moving: calatheas sulk for a few weeks after a change.

What to do with damaged leaves

Crispy edges won't turn green again. Trim them with clean scissors, following the leaf's shape, or remove badly damaged leaves at the base. Then fix the cause and watch the next new leaves: if they unfurl flat and clean, you've solved it.

Good news for pet owners

Calatheas and prayer plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA, which makes them one of the best choices for a pet household. See our full list of plants safe for cats and dogs.

If you're not sure which problem you're seeing, Planted can look at a photo of the leaves and tell you what's most likely causing it.

Common questions

Why are my calathea leaves curling?

Usually dry air. Other common causes are tap water with fluoride or chlorine, too much direct sun, and the soil drying out. Curling only at night is normal.

Why does my calathea have crispy brown edges?

Most often the water: calatheas react to fluoride, chlorine and hard water. Low humidity and letting the soil dry out also cause it.

What water is best for calathea?

Filtered water, rainwater or distilled water. Tap water left out overnight is a little better than straight from the tap.

Is calathea safe for cats?

Yes. The ASPCA lists calatheas as non-toxic to cats and dogs.