Why Are My Brachyscome Leaves Curling?

Overwatering and root rot

Brachyscome has a fine, fibrous root system that is susceptible to rot in persistently wet compost. It is naturally adapted to the freely draining soils of coastal and inland Australia and does not thrive when its roots are kept saturated. In UK containers, overwatering is the most common growing error: the plant is watered on a regular schedule regardless of the weather, and during cool, cloudy periods the compost never fully dries out between waterings. The fine leaves wilt, curl, and begin to yellow as the roots deteriorate, even though the compost is wet.

What to do

• Water only when the top 2 cm of compost feel dry. Significantly reduce watering during cool or overcast periods.
• Use a free-draining compost with added perlite and ensure the container has drainage holes.
• If root rot is suspected, remove the plant from its pot, trim away any dark and mushy roots, and replant in fresh, dry compost.
• Never leave brachyscome sitting in a waterlogged saucer.

Aphid infestation

Aphids are very common on brachyscome and are attracted to the tender shoot tips and the undersides of the young feathery leaves. Because the leaves are so finely divided, aphid colonies can establish themselves deep within the foliage and be difficult to spot until the damage is apparent. Feeding causes the young leaves to pucker, curl, and fail to develop normally. In severe infestations, the shoot tips become distorted and stunted, and flowering diminishes.

What to do

• Inspect the plant carefully, parting the foliage to check the interior for aphid colonies on shoot tips and stems.
• Pinch out and dispose of the most heavily infested shoot tips.
• Spray the plant thoroughly with insecticidal soap every four to five days for two to three weeks, ensuring coverage of the fine foliage and shoot tips.
• A jet of water from a hose helps dislodge accessible colonies before chemical treatment.

Spider mite

Spider mite can be a problem on brachyscome in hot, dry conditions, particularly on plants in sheltered sunny positions or in a warm greenhouse or conservatory. The fine, feathery leaves become stippled with tiny pale dots where the mites have fed, gradually developing a dull, bronzed appearance and curling as the infestation builds. Fine webbing becomes visible between the leaves and along the stems in heavier infestations.

What to do

• Examine the undersides of affected foliage with a magnifying glass for the tiny mites and their webbing.
• Spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil every five to seven days for four to six weeks, ensuring thorough coverage of the fine foliage.
• Increase air humidity around the plant: spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions and are inhibited by regular misting.

Underwatering

While brachyscome handles drought better than some basket plants, it still requires consistent moisture to flower well in containers. When the compost dries out completely, the fine leaves wilt and curl rapidly, and flower production stops. Drought stress also makes the plant more susceptible to spider mite and aphid attack. Recovery is usually good once watered if the drought has been brief, but repeated drying out weakens the plant over the season.

What to do

• Check the compost daily in warm weather and water before the leaves show signs of wilting.
• Water thoroughly, ensuring moisture reaches the base of the container before draining away freely.
• A slow-release fertiliser incorporated into the compost at planting, combined with regular liquid feeding, helps maintain vigour through periods of stress.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew occasionally affects brachyscome in warm, dry conditions with poor air circulation. Infected parts of the plant develop a white powdery coating and the leaves may curl, distort, and eventually wither. It is less common on brachyscome than on some other bedding plants but can appear on plants in crowded baskets or in very sheltered positions where air movement is minimal.

What to do

• Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid planting too densely alongside other plants in the same container.
• Remove and bin affected stems and leaves as soon as the infection is noticed.
• Apply a sulphur-based fungicide or a potassium bicarbonate spray at the first sign of powdery mildew, repeating every seven to ten days.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my brachyscome leaves curling?

Brachyscome leaves curl most often from overwatering and root rot or from aphid infestation. The fine, feathery leaves wilt and curl when the roots rot in wet compost. Aphids cluster on shoot tips and cause the young leaves to pucker and curl as they feed on the sap.

How often should I water brachyscome?

Water brachyscome when the top 2 cm of compost feel dry. The plant needs consistent moisture but must not sit in waterlogged compost. In containers, water every two to three days in warm weather, reducing significantly during cool or overcast spells. Ensure the pot drains freely.

Why has my brachyscome stopped flowering and the leaves look poor?

Brachyscome typically flowers best in cool to mild weather. In a hot UK summer it may slow down, look tired, and develop less than perfect foliage. Cutting the plant back by one third, watering well, and feeding with a high-potassium liquid feed usually prompts a fresh flowering flush as temperatures moderate in late summer.

Is brachyscome a perennial or annual?

In the UK, brachyscome is typically grown as a half-hardy annual. While it is technically a short-lived perennial in its native Australia, it is frost-tender and does not survive UK winters outdoors in most regions. Plants overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse can be cut back and grown on into a second season.