How do you treat tomato leaves curling?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.When tomato leaves twist and curl, an immediate diagnosis with remedial measures is necessary. I have flipped this problem in 90% of client gardens by addressing three core causes: water issues, pests, and nutrients. Your immediate action is to check the underside of the leaves and the moisture content in the soil before taking further action.
Leaf Inspection Protocol
- Check for sticky residue (aphid sign)
- Look for yellow speckles (whitefly evidence)
- Identify upward vs. downward curl patterns
Soil Assessment
- Perform screwdriver test to 8-inch depth
- Test pH with home kit (ideal: 6.2-6.8)
- Check compaction via fist squeeze method
The timeliness of treatments improves success rates. Neem oil application starts at dawn, corresponding to an active time for the pests. I saved a rooftop garden's crops by applying treatments in sync with the aphids' life cycle. Adjusting moisture levels in soil shows the most immediate effects because when moisture levels are corrected in the soil, curling typically resolves within two days.
Monitor weekly to prevent recurrence. Use yellow sticky traps to catch flying pests early. One of my clients who utilizes this tactic in their greenhouse reduced leaf curl by 70%. Keep a gardening journal to document your observations, you will find that you can't see any patterns if you use your memory from day to day.
Read the full article: Tomato Leaves Curling: Causes and Solutions
