Curry leaf plant - browning at the top, leaves not growing.

Hartsdale, NY

Hello folks,

I have 2 curry leaf plants. They have been growing well over the period of last 5 years.

Last year, I installed UV grow lamp during winter. The plant that is growing well now (during summer) didn't show any benefit. It lost all leaves and didn't grow a single leaf until June this year.

Whereas the one that is struggling now, also lost all leaves during winter but around March started growing, got new leaves and even tiny branches, but as it was put outside with the other plant, all those leaves fell off within 2 days. It wasn't even warm. Now, it is struggling to grow.

I checked the thread and there is a good video from California Gardening. I followed his directions, even changed the soil last week but not much benefit. The new leaves are burning off. The pictures are attached below.

I use Alaska fish emulsion, Miracle-Gro All purpose Plant food, but not much benefit.

Anyone has idea how to figure out the cause?

This year, both of these plants get about 2-4 hours of sunlight. Most of the day, they are the shade so no NYC strong sunlight as such, only morning a couple of hours and evening few hours.

2 images are before re-potting (Image 2 and 4) and 3 are after potting.

Any help is appreciated. The plant that is struggling has a great aroma so I really do not want to lose it.

Thanks in advance.

Thumbnail by DocHudson Thumbnail by DocHudson Thumbnail by DocHudson Thumbnail by DocHudson Thumbnail by DocHudson
Magnolia, TX(Zone 9a)

Thats not a curry plant I am accustomed to... you guys are having higher temps and moisture this year? Have you checked on their overall life expectancy...and hopefully it isn't the soil itself

Reading, United Kingdom

Had exactly the same problem with mine this winter.
Curry Leaf tree (Bergera Koenigii L) is a member of the citrus family and hates waterlogged soil (leads to root rot). They need to (almost) completely dry out before being watered and require very well drained compost. Do not feed for several weeks after repotting.
Your MiracleGro fertiliser is fine but you may want to get a high nitrogen citrus tree fertiliser in the long run.
Ideal growing conditions are high temperature 30c+ by day, 27c at night but never below 15c at night, diffused sunlight, high humidity - although they can learn to tolerate normal indoor humidity but produce smaller leaves.
In your situation - stop watering, stop feeding for a while, and be patient - it will recover (probably), they are pretty tough really.

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