The Chinese Money Plant is also known by its scientific name, Pilea; although it’s one of the best houseplants still 40% of indoor plant owners face problems with their Chinese Money Plant. And that’s due to a lack of gardening knowledge.
Therefore, In this guide, I’ll share 13 problems that you might face while growing a Pilea peperomioides. Besides this, you’ll learn how you can solve all these common Chinese money plant problems.
Chinese money plant problems
Here are a few problems that you may face as a new owner while growing a new pilea:
1. Overwatering and Root Rot
The first common mistake that people make is that they provide too much water to their plants. After that, it causes some problems, such as root rot, which is a fungal disease.
It happens because of too much moisturizing for a long time. Therefore, you can provide a little bit of water, and before providing it, you can touch the soil.
Secondly, you can do proper drainage, like making a small hole. So, in case you mistakenly pure too much water, it can pass out through those holes.
Some signs that you can notice if the root is rot are a wilting leaf or mushy root instead of a firm, rotten smell coming from the soil, and it can also change to yellowish or brown.
How to fix it: The process to tackle this problem is simple. Firstly, you need to stop providing water and let the soil dry. After that, you can carefully remove the plant from the pot. Cut it away its damaged root, and then report that plant into another pot.
2. Underwatering and Dehydration
Just like humans, plants also need water to survive and avoid dehydration. If you aren’t providing enough water to your plant, it can cause some problems, such as wilting and dry leaves, slow growth, root damage, or increased susceptibility to pests and disease.
Water is the most important thing plants want. Because without it, even the root can dry out, and eventually, the plant will die.
How to fix it: To fix this problem, you first need to provide water to your plant. You can touch the soil of your plant. If it is getting dry out, then you can provide water.
However, it is recommended that you provide it at least once a week, especially during the summer or growing season. And you can give water to it one time in two weeks during winter, as they don’t dry out too frequently in winter.
3. Inadequate Sunlight
Yes, that is true. The Chinese money plant is one of the best house plants. And they can survive even without the sunlight. But still, they need enough bright light. So, If you’re not providing this, it can still cause some issues, such as stunted growth and legginess.
If your plant is not getting enough bright light or indirect sunlight, you can notice that leaves are becoming smaller or turning yellow. Because of that, your plant will start appearing weak, splendid, or unhealthy.
Because You’re not allowing it to do photosynthesis, which is the process of how plants and trees make their food.
How to fix: The first thing you need to do is place your plant near an east or west-facing window where It can get at least 6 hours of bright or indirect sunlight.
You can also give it direct sunlight, but not too much. Morning and evening are slightly better options as they are low-maintenance houseplants.
4. Nutrient Deficiencies
Just like humans, plants also need nutrition, as we want to have protein and carbohydrates; plants want to have nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium.
If Chinese plants aren’t getting it in the proper amount, they can face some challenges, such as discolored leaves which they will turn their leaves into yellow, reddish-purple, or brown color. It will happen due to a lack of phosphorus.
Besides this, you can also see other symptoms such as weak, brittle skin and stunted growth with small leaves.
How to fix: The first thing you need to do is use balanced liquid fertilizer at least once every two or three weeks, especially during the growing season, and if it’s full grown-up, then once in 2-3 months is okay too.
Besides this, you can also top dress the soil with slow-release granular fertilizer every 2-3 months. Moreover, you want to make sure your soil is well-drained and not becoming depleted of nutrition.
5. Soil Compaction and Drainage Issues
Soil compaction and poor drainage are other things that people make mistakes about.
Compacted or dense soil can stop root access to oxygen, water, or nutrients, so it can’t spread and grow properly. That’s why the plant will end up dying. And if it doesn’t die, it won’t grow as it should.
As I have said in the beginning, they don’t want too much water. So they don’t like continuously sitting in moist or wet soil.
How to fix it: To fix this problem, you can again report your plant in a well-draining air-putting mix formulated. Plus, you can consider using perlite, sand, or small gravel, as they can improve drainage.
6. Pests and Infestations
One of the main problems that Pests can cause to your Chinese money plant is stunted growth and wilting leaves. It’ll happen due to pests like Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. They won’t let the plant grow or leave happily.
Moreover, they can also cause leaf damage and discoloration, like yellow or brown leaves. It usually occurs due to heavy infestations. Plus, pests can also cause general declines in plant health. In the beginning, it will appear weak, and if the problem isn’t solved at that time, the plant will die.
How to fix it: First, you need to closely inspect the plant, check the underside of leaves, and try to get a sign of pests. You can use insecticidal soap, neem oil, and any other organic pest control products.
Besides this, you can also prune off any damaged or infested leaves or stems.
7. Temperature Stress
Chinese money plants need temperatures between 65 to 75 Fahrenheit or 18 degrees to 24 degrees Celsius. Therefore, if the temperature is below 60 Fahrenheit or above 80 Fahrenheit, it can be a little problematic for your plant.
When the temperature is too cold, your plant’s leaves will turn yellow, curl, or drop. It will happen because plants will be trying to conserve energy and protect themselves from cold and stress.
Similarly, a temperature that is too hot will discolor or wilt leaves, and sometimes they’ll also drop prematurely.
How to fix it: You can relocate your Chinese money plant into an ideal place where the temperature isn’t too cold or too hot; as I’ve already told you, the ideal temperature for them is 18 degrees to 24 degrees Celsius. But make sure your plant gets proper air and bright light after relocating it.
8. Humidity Fluctuations
Humidity level can also impact your plant’s health and growth. If the humidity is low or there isn’t enough moisture in the air, leaf edges will start turning brown and crispy.
Besides this, without enough moisturization, it is hard for plants to absorb water and nutrition. So it can’t grow properly. Dry conditions can also make plants more vulnerable to issues like spider mites.
Although there are many other plants that can survive a little less moisturization, many Chinese plants cannot do it because they come from southwestern China’s tropical forests.
How to fix it: You can group it with other plants, which can increase localized humidity. You also can place your plant’s pot on a pebbles tray to create a mini humid environment.
Besides this, you can also mist the leaves regularly, and you can use a spray bottle for that.
9. Transplanting and Repotting Problems
Sometimes, improper transplanting or reporting can also be problematic if you make any mistake while doing so.
The first problem you might see is transplant shock, in which you’ll notice some common symptoms, such as your Chinese money plant dropping leaves, wilting leaves, slow growth, etc.
How to fix: If you want to propagate or repot your Chinese money plant, you should prefer doing all of that during the spring or early summer season. There’s the first and the best way to avoid these problems.
10. Leaf Discoloration and Yellowing
Naturally, Chinese money plants have a vibrant greenish color in their leaves. But sometimes you can see discoloration, such as leaves turning yellow, brown, reddish, or any other color. There are many reasons why it might be happening.
For example, underwatering, providing too much water, lack of nutrition, and lack of indirect sunlight. It can cause yellow leaves and leaf discoloration.
How to fix: Simply provide at least 6 hours of light and water in moderation. Don’t repot your plant anytime. If you wanna do so, choose the Spring or Early Summer season.
11. Leaf Curling and Wrinkling
Leaf curling and wrinkling are some of the most common problems that people face in their Chinese money plants. But it’s not really a huge issue. They are usually caused due to underwatering, low humidity, temperature stress, or nutrient deficiencies.
How to fix: I would recommend some simple things. For example, you can check the soil before water to see if it is dry or not. You can increase the humidity level and ensure the plant is getting the ideal temperature.
It is not too cold or too hot. Moreover, you can focus on fertilization with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
12. Leaf Drop and Shedding
Another issue that can happen with your Chinese money plant is natural leaf shedding. In this, your plant will naturally shed some older, lower leaves when they grow and mature. And it’s a normal part of a plant’s life cycle.
However, you can still look for leaves if they are turning yellow or brown before dropping off. Although natural shedding of a few leaves is not a real cause of concern, if underwatering, insufficient light, disease, and pests are causing problems, then you should be worried and try to tackle it.
How to fix: Provide sufficient indirect light and the right amount of water, maintain an ideal temperature, inspect for any diseases, and if you see a threat of disease or pests, you can isolate the plant.
13. Disease Outbreaks
There are a few fungal and bacterial diseases that can happen to your Chinese money plant.
A common fungal disease that can happen to your Chinese money plant is powdery mildew, in which your plant’s leaves or stems might appear a little whitish and powdery. Besides this, you can also spot brown color on leaves.
Another common disease can be caused by bacteria, in which you will find some spots on the leaf, which will cause water-soaked, dark spots, etc.
If it is bacterial stem rot, then it’ll lead to soft and mushy stems, which will discolor and eventually collapse.
In order to prevent all these measures, you can provide bright light, avoid overwatering, prune away and damage leaves or stems, and use a clean sterilized potting mix when repotting.
How to fix: To fix any fungal disease in your Chinese money plant, you can use a fungicide that contains sulfur or neem oil. If the problem is bacterial, then you can consider using a copper-based bactericide.
Most importantly, don’t forget to isolate effective plants to prevent spreading this bacterial or fungal disease to others. Besides this, you can improve growing conditions to strengthen your plant’s defense.
Conclusion
These were some of the most common Chinese money plant problems. In most cases, they are not serious. They just give you an indication that you are not taking care of your plant. That’s why sometimes they turn their leaves yellow or brown, and sometimes they appear to be weak.
Overall, water should be provided in moderation, sufficient indirect bright sunlight should be provided, and a suitable temperature with a normal airflow should be provided where it can survive.
You can fertilize it from time to time, especially in the growing season, and you can do it once or twice a month. After that, once in 2-3 months, fertilizing your Chinese money plant is a good choice.