Why Are My Gazania Leaves Curling?

Overwatering and root rot

Gazania is naturally adapted to the dry, sandy soils of coastal South Africa and is far more tolerant of drought than of moisture. In UK container gardening it is frequently overwatered, especially when grown alongside thirstier plants on a shared watering schedule. When the roots sit in persistently wet compost, they rot, and the plant cannot take up water or nutrients despite the abundance of moisture available to it. The leaves lose their colour and firmness, begin to curl, and the plant steadily deteriorates.

The key diagnostic sign is a wilting, leaf-curling plant in compost that feels wet or damp. If the compost is dry and the plant is wilting, drought is the more likely culprit. If the compost is wet and the plant is wilting, root rot is the answer.

What to do

• Allow the compost to dry out almost completely between waterings. Gazania can tolerate short periods of drought far better than wet feet.
• Ensure the container has generous drainage holes and use a gritty, free-draining compost rather than a standard moisture-retentive mix.
• In the ground, plant gazania in raised beds or on a slope where water drains away freely, and avoid adding organic matter that retains moisture.
• For established root rot, remove the plant, inspect the roots, trim away any dark and mushy material, and replant in fresh, dry, gritty compost.

Grey mould

Botrytis, or grey mould, is a fungal disease that affects gazania in cool, damp, low-light conditions with poor air circulation. It often appears first on spent flowers, then spreads to the leaf bases, stems, and foliage. Infected areas develop a fluffy grey mould, and the surrounding leaves yellow, curl, and collapse. In a wet UK summer or when plants are crowded together in a sheltered position, grey mould can progress quickly.

What to do

• Remove and bin spent flowers and any soft, rotting plant material promptly, as these are the primary infection points.
• Improve air circulation by spacing plants generously and removing any dead or damaged foliage.
• Avoid wetting the foliage when watering, and water in the morning so plants dry off through the day.
• A copper-based fungicide or a product containing Bacillus subtilis can help suppress further spread when applied at the first sign of infection.

Spider mite

Spider mites are a problem on gazania in hot, dry conditions, particularly on plants grown in a sheltered, sunny position or on a warm patio. They feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing the upper surface to develop fine bronzing or silvery stippling, and the leaves to curl and look dull. Fine webbing between the leaves and stems becomes visible as the infestation builds. The combination of gazania's preference for dry conditions and spider mites' love of the same environment means the two are often found together in a UK summer heatwave.

What to do

• Inspect the undersides of curling leaves with a magnifying glass for the tiny yellowish or reddish mites and their webbing.
• Spray the plant, particularly the leaf undersides, with a strong jet of water to dislodge the mites.
• Follow up with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, repeating every five to seven days for three to four weeks.
• Slightly increasing the humidity around the plant with occasional misting discourages further mite colonisation.

Aphid infestation

Aphids occasionally colonise gazania, particularly at the base of flower stems and on the undersides of leaves near the crown. They are less problematic on gazania than on many other bedding plants, but in a warm spring or on plants that are already stressed, aphid colonies can build up and cause the leaves to pucker and curl. The characteristic sticky honeydew and the presence of small green or black insects on the plant confirm the diagnosis.

What to do

• Wipe or spray aphids from the affected areas with a strong water jet or insecticidal soap.
• For plants with heavy infestations, spray with insecticidal soap every four to five days for two to three weeks.
• Healthy, well-grown gazania in suitable conditions is less susceptible to aphid damage than stressed plants, so addressing any underlying growing conditions helps prevent reinfestation.

Crown rot

Crown rot is a particularly destructive problem on gazania that can develop when the base of the plant stays wet for extended periods, whether from overwatering, rain, or mulching too close to the stem. The tissue at the crown of the plant softens and collapses, the leaves curl and yellow suddenly, and the plant dies rapidly. Unlike root rot, which progresses slowly from the root tips, crown rot can kill a plant within days.

What to do

• Never mound compost, mulch, or soil against the base of the gazania stem. Keep the crown area dry and open to airflow.
• Plant gazania at or slightly above soil level to ensure water drains away from the crown rather than pooling around it.
• In wet summers, a layer of fine gravel or grit around the base of the plant keeps the crown drier.
• Once crown rot is established, there is no effective treatment: remove the plant, improve drainage for future plantings, and consider replacing with a fresh plant from a healthy source.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my gazania leaves curling?

Gazania leaves curl most often from overwatering and root rot. Gazania is a South African plant adapted to dry, well-drained soils and is highly susceptible to root rot when grown in waterlogged compost. Curling leaves accompanied by yellowing and wilting in wet compost almost always indicate root problems.

How often should I water gazania?

Gazania is very drought tolerant and needs far less water than most bedding plants. Water established plants only when the top few centimetres of soil or compost are completely dry. In containers, water roughly every five to seven days in average summer weather. Always ensure excellent drainage.

Why are my gazania leaves curling and turning grey?

A grey or silver coating on curling gazania leaves suggests spider mite infestation or downy mildew. Check the undersides of the leaves for tiny mites and their webbing. If you see a soft downy coating rather than webbing, downy mildew is the more likely cause.

Why are gazania flowers not opening and the leaves are curling?

Gazania flowers close in shade and on overcast days, which is entirely normal behaviour. If the flowers stay closed even in bright sunshine alongside curling leaves, the plant is stressed, most often from overwatering, root rot, or pest infestation.