herbicide damage

What you’re seeing

New growth twists, cups, or “fern-fronds”; leaves may narrow, with distorted veins. Symptoms often appear days to weeks after lawn/weed killer use nearby or after using contaminated compost/mulch.

What it is

Exposure to growth-regulator weed killers or other herbicides—via drift, volatilization, residue on tools, or contaminated soil amendments.

Is action needed?

Yes—stop exposure and support recovery. Some cases are reversible; others take months to outgrow.

How to confirm

Context: Recent yard treatments, neighbor application on a windy day, or manure/compost sourced from treated fields.
Pattern: Mostly affects new growth first; older leaves may look normal.
Species sensitivity: Many ornamentals are highly sensitive to even low doses.

What to do

Cease all exposure; move containers away from treated areas.
Water thoroughly to dilute residues in pots (if exposure was light). Ensure good drainage.
Do not prune immediately; observe for 2–4 weeks—new growth may normalize if exposure was minor.
If soil is contaminated (e.g., suspect compost): Repot with fresh, clean mix.
Avoid fertilizers for 2–3 weeks while monitoring; resume once normal growth appears.
Document timing and sources to avoid repeats.

Prevention tips

Avoid using lawn/weed killers near ornamentals; respect label drift warnings and wind conditions.
Source compost/manure from herbicide-free suppliers.
Clean tools and sprayers thoroughly before switching products.

Pesticide phytotoxicity from soaps/oils burns leaf surfaces but usually doesn’t cause the pronounced twisting typical here.
Sap-sucking pests can distort new growth—inspect closely for insects.