Why Are My Tomato Leaves Curling?
Tomato leaves commonly curl because of heat, wind, uneven moisture, pruning stress, or exposure to certain herbicides. If plants are otherwise growing well and leaves remain green, mild upward rolling is usually temporary physiological leaf roll rather than a disease.
Check watering first. Tomatoes need consistently moist, well-drained soil, especially while they are setting and filling fruit. Water deeply at the root zone when the upper inch or two of soil dries, then use mulch to moderate soil moisture and temperature. Avoid frequent shallow watering, which encourages shallow roots and rapid moisture swings.
Hot, dry, or windy weather can cause older leaves to roll upward to reduce water loss. Provide adequate water, maintain a 2 to 3 inch organic mulch layer kept slightly away from stems, and avoid pruning heavily during hot spells. Leaves may not fully flatten after stress, but healthy new growth is a good sign.
Too much nitrogen can produce vigorous, dark-green growth with curled foliage and comparatively little fruit set. Do not add fertilizer simply because leaves curl. Base additions on a soil test, and use a balanced fertility plan appropriate for tomatoes and your soil conditions.
Inspect plants for insects, especially aphids, whiteflies, and broad mites. Look on leaf undersides for colonies, sticky residue, distorted new leaves, or very small pests. Dislodge light aphid populations with a firm stream of water, remove badly infested leaves when practical, and encourage beneficial insects. For persistent problems, consult local Cooperative Extension and follow any product label exactly.
Herbicide injury can cause narrow, twisted, cupped, or straplike new leaves, often more severely than ordinary stress curl. Injury may come from drift, contaminated compost or manure, lawn-care residues, or spraying near tomatoes on a breezy day. Do not compost suspect plant material for use around sensitive crops, and contact your county Cooperative Extension if you need help identifying the source.
Viral diseases can also curl leaves, but they usually bring additional symptoms such as yellowing, mottling, stunting, brittle growth, or poor fruit production. Remove plants that are severely stunted or clearly diseased, clean tools between plants, control insect vectors where feasible, and rotate tomatoes and related crops to a different garden area in future seasons.
Frequently asked questions
Should I remove curled tomato leaves?
Do not remove mildly curled, green leaves just to improve appearance. Remove only leaves that are dead, heavily damaged, or clearly diseased, and avoid stripping a large portion of the plant at once.
Can overwatering make tomato leaves curl?
Yes. Saturated soil limits root oxygen and can lead to curling, drooping, and yellowing. Improve drainage and let the soil dry modestly between deep waterings.
Will curled leaves uncurl after the weather improves?
Some may relax, but older leaves can remain rolled after a stress event. Judge recovery by whether new leaves emerge normally and the plant continues setting fruit.
General guidance for US home gardens. Conditions vary by region and season; check with your local Cooperative Extension office for site-specific advice. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.