Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Annuals and Perennials > Hosta > Malformed or distorted leaves
Hosta > Malformed or distorted leaves
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Cold damage
- Leaves may be puckered and cupped but do not have unusual color patterns
- Leaf margins may be dark green, soft, water soaked, and wilted
- New growth after cold period is healthy and normal looking
- Common in early spring
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Herbicide Damage
Phenoxy herbicides ex. 2,4D
- Leaves are twisted, cupped, or distorted
- Veins in leaves are thick and close together
- Side of the plant closest to the herbicide application is most severely affected
- In severe cases the entire plant may be affected
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Virus
Hosta Virus X, Tobacco Rattle virus, and others
- Unusual dark and light green streaks, blotches and spots on leaves
- Dark and light green leaf color may seem to bleed together like ink on wet paper
- Leaves may be malformed and twisted
- Dead brown tissue may occur in streaks or spots on leaves
- Some cultivars may not show symptoms
- Lab test required to distinguish between viruses and to verify infection
- More information on Virus
