Why Are My Tomato Leaves Curling and Rolling & How Do I Fix It?

There are a lot of things to worry about in your garden. Fortunately curling or rolling tomato leaves is not one you have to worry about. As long as the leaves are green and healthy looking, curling is not a concern. The plant will continue to grow normally and eventually work out the issue. We do not really know why they curl but understand it to be a physiological response to stress. Exactly what that stress is, is not always clear to us but only to the plant. Several tomato plants may be planted and cared for in the same way, in the same garden bed. Very often only one plant may show signs of leaf curling and the others look perfectly normal. 

Typically we are told that it is heat related, watering related (too little or too much), or even at times related to fluctuations in day and night temperatures. As gardeners we often want to fix problems and care for our plants. There really isn’t much you can do to resolve this problem but there are three you can try and they can help if it is truly related to heat. However, remember the curling and rolling does not harm your plants.

1. Water your tomato plants consistently and evenly during the hotter parts of the summer. The frequency will vary based on the plant size and temperatures. 
2. Mulch your garden beds with 1-2 inches of mulch to help keep moisture in the top 4-6 inches of the soil. 
3. Use shade cloth above your tomato plants to cool the plants and soil surface

While these things my not directly resolve the curling leaves, tomatoes plants do become stressed during the high heat of summer and can shut down in response to the sun. Often, plants drop flowers, fruit, and stop producing as they feel they are in drought conditions. They will just sit tight and wait for the environment to cool. I often use shade cloth in July to keep my tomato producing when temperature are in the upper 90’s

Leaf curling is going to happen at times. Look at the curled leaves and assess for any problems. Very often the leaves are green and healthy. If they are yellow or have insect damage, there might be concern. However, when green, just let the plant do its own thing. It will continue to grow, produce, and eventually leaves correct themselves. It is possible also, that a group of lower leaves curl and stay like that, while all the leave above them (and future leaves) show no signs of curling or rolling. We have many chores and worries in or gardens. Curling leaves is one we can let be.

“Good Luck in Your Gardens”

Cheers!

Gary (The Rusted Garden)