Papaya leaves can curl for many different reasons. In this article, I will show you most of the possible reasons for papaya leaf curl with symptoms, so that you can analyze yourself.
Papaya leaves may curl due to many reasons (listed below)
- Leaf curl virus
- Pest infestation (like aphids, mealybugs, or whiteflies)
- Watering issue
- Herbicide damage (check the last section)
There are several other possible reasons that I am ignoring, as the chances are minimal. It will make you even more confused if I list all the possible reasons.
All the pictures are taken from my home garden.
Papaya Leaf Curl Virus
Note: I know it might be hard for you to read this, but I need to be honest with you. You can treat all of them except the papaya leaf curl virus-infected papaya plant.
Once your plant is infected with the papaya leaf curl virus (PaLCuV), there is no way to get rid of it. It's gonna spread. You need to cut down your plant and burn or destroy it to get rid of this virus.
What brings this virus in?
Mainly, whiteflies are responsible for bringing this virus in. Treat whiteflies at the early stage.
I created a separate guide on that: How to get rid of whiteflies
How would you know if your papaya plant leaves are curling due to leaf curl virus?
The first major symptom is "tunted top growth". The newer foliage or leaves will not grow normally. The head of the plant will show curly and deformed growth.
The leaves will become leathery (thick) and curly at the same time.
Note: The fruits will also be deformative.
As I said earlier, the wise decision is to cut down your plant and destroy it once it is infected by this virus.
Papaya leaf curl - due to pests like mealybugs
You can see the above papaya plant is attacked by mealybugs. They are sap-sucking insects. The leaves are curling due to the mealybugs on this papaya plant.
Even, the same gonna happen if the plant is infested by aphids or other sap sucking insects.
Treatment is here: How to get rid of mealybugs on plants - only tested methods
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Papaya leaves curling due to underwatering
Due to underwatering, the curly leaves of papaya do not look like the curly leaves of a virus-infected plant.
You might see that the edges of the leaves are curling upwards due to underwatering.
Once you water the plant properly, it will recover within a few hours.
Herbicide damage - curly leaves on papaya
I found this last year in the summer, when it was too hot. So I am suspecting it due to the summer heat.
But my grandpa told me it can be from manure.
When I asked for the explanation, this is what he said:
Are you using manure from an animal that eats hay? If so, it could be aminopyralid, a herbicide used on hay fields that is carried through the animal and into the manure. It has the same appearance as plants get from it. I no longer use any manure of animals that are fed hay due to this chemical.
So basically, he is saying it might be a herbicide damage.
If you notice any additional brown edges, check this: brown edges of papaya leaves
Papaya leaves curling down
This type of curly leaves is not an issue. Yes, the leaves are not in their normal color.
The leaves look like chlorosis to me. It’s usually caused by nutrient deficiencies, especially iron, magnesium, and manganese, as well as environmental stressors like poor drainage or compacted soil.
Papaya loves a humid climate. So, in winter, you may see a little bit of curly leaves, but once it rains, they will be fine.
