Harlequin Cordyline leaves are curling?
Hi everyone! I bought this beautiful thing from a local and well-trusted plant store where it was obviously thriving. My issue is that the leaves seem to be curling, and I’m not sure why.
Light: it gets pretty direct sunlight for about 1-3 hours, and then indirect sunlight for another 2-3 hours. A perfectly east-facing window.
Water: The plant store owner told me to wait a week before watering it (which I did), and then wait 2 weeks before watering unless the dirt is dry. I stuck my finger in 2 inches, and the dirt was not bone dry but definitely not moist, so I watered it again today. I do use tap water and water until it leaks out of the drainage holes. I have had it 2 weeks and have misted it twice already.
Air: it is technically underneath an AC vent. We have 10 ft ceilings, and it is a foot to the right of being underneath it.
Light: it gets pretty direct sunlight for about 1-3 hours, and then indirect sunlight for another 2-3 hours. A perfectly east-facing window.
Water: The plant store owner told me to wait a week before watering it (which I did), and then wait 2 weeks before watering unless the dirt is dry. I stuck my finger in 2 inches, and the dirt was not bone dry but definitely not moist, so I watered it again today. I do use tap water and water until it leaks out of the drainage holes. I have had it 2 weeks and have misted it twice already.
Air: it is technically underneath an AC vent. We have 10 ft ceilings, and it is a foot to the right of being underneath it.
6
Since you’ve only had it for 2 weeks, my guess is it’s still adjusting to its new environment. The curling doesn’t look severe, and the foliage otherwise looks healthy. The AC vent could be contributing if it’s blowing dry air directly on the plant, but I’d be more inclined to blame acclimation stress and possibly the soil getting a little drier than it prefers. I’d keep the soil lightly moist, avoid letting it stay bone dry, and give it another few weeks to settle in before worrying too much.
Also, misting is one of those myths that doesn't actually benefit the plant in any meaningful way. If your objective is to increase humidity, the only way to do that effectively is with a humidifier placed next to or very close to the plant 😊
Also, misting is one of those myths that doesn't actually benefit the plant in any meaningful way. If your objective is to increase humidity, the only way to do that effectively is with a humidifier placed next to or very close to the plant 😊
@stephongreg thank you so much for mentioning the “wrung out sponge” soil thing! I had read that they like consistent dampness, and I think I misinterpreted the plant store’s advice. The window she is in gets a *lot* of sun, so it makes sense I’ll have to water it more often.
@pricklydude very very good point. I moved her 4 feet to the right. Can’t move her more without getting her out of the sun :( I’m thinking of adding a humidifier there, since it seems like i am accruing some tropical plants in that corner, and hopefully that will help
@RichNiaouli10 getting a humidifier is a great idea, and moving the plant out of the way is even better, the tips should heal, but if you want you can trim off those crispy tips, and if you see any leaves with brown spots on them that are crispy and wilting, just cut the petiole off (the stem that the leaf is attached to) but if you have any leaves that have browning tips, you can just trim the brown tip off without removing the whole leaf. you can place the humidifier anywhere in that room, because the air will push the humidity from the humidifier everywhere in the room, even if it’s not right next to the plant.