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Curling tomato leaves #875073

Asked June 28, 2024, 10:24 AM EDT

The leaves of my tomato plants are curling; the plants aren't thriving, though I've gotten a few tomatoes. I put them in the ground later than usual and they were watered only twice per week during 3 weeks of May. In mid-June I realized they had spider mites which I removed with sharp spray of water and have made sure they didn't return. But now I'm watering regularly and they still aren't thriving. They're in a soil/compost mix in raised beds. Any ideas?

Wake County North Carolina

Expert Response

We think of tomatoes as summer vegetables, but they can struggle in hot weather.  Summer heat causes problems with ripening, fruit set, and flavor. Most tomatoes grow and produce best when daytime temperatures range from 70 to 80 degrees F, and night temperatures fall between 60 to 70 degrees F. Most of our summer temperatures cause plants to shed their blossoms without setting fruit. 

Hot Temperatures Can Mean Fewer Tomatoes | N.C. Cooperative Extension (ncsu.edu)

Your tomato plants may be suffering from physiological leaf curl.  Heat stress can cause tomato leaves to curl.  If the leaves are not deformed, then the leaf curl is probably a reaction to the hot weather and drought.  High nitrogen fertilizers can also cause leaf curl, so make sure your fertilizer does not have too much nitrogen.

Here is some information on the causes of leaf curl in tomatoes.

E-626-What-Makes-Tomato-Leaves-Twist-or-Curl.pdf (tamu.edu)

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.  If you have additional questions, please contact us.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 28, 2024, 4:05 PM EDT

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