How to Curl Leaves on a Butterfly Bush

A butterfly bush can be a showy addition to a yard or landscape with its full shape and brightly colored blooms and grow to heights of more than 5 feet tall. Although butterfly shrubs are typically hardy and easy to care for, they are susceptible to drought and infestation by some insects such as spider mites. The spider mites can congregate under the leaves of the butterfly bush and drain liquids from the leaves resulting in leaf curl.

Instructions

- 1
  Do not provide extra water to the butterfly bush during periods of drought. Allow the leaf curl to continue from a lack of moisture.
- 2
  Avoid pruning the butterfly bush to remove limbs that are infested with spider mites. Do not cut out the infested limbs to prevent possible spider mite spread.
- 3
  Leave the spider mites intact on the leaves of the butterfly bush rather than washing them off with a garden hose.
- 4
  Do not apply pesticides or organic controls such as liquid dish detergent to discourage or kill spider mites on the shrub.

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