Chinese money plants, also known as Pilea peperomioides, is one of the best houseplants. Its green leaves are an indicator of your plant’s health.
When your Pilea has healthy green leaves that means it is thriving and getting the nutrients it needs.
If the leaves of your Chinese money plant start to turn yellow, it’s not necessarily a sign that the plant is going to die but still you need to fix it.
Why is it important to keep the leaves of the Chinese money plant green?
The green leaves of your Chinese money plant also known as Pilea peperomioides are important for your plant’s health and growth.
Because, the green color comes from chlorophyll, which is the powerhouse of Piela and chlorophyll makes food for your plant by converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
On the other hand, if your plant’s leaves are turning yellow, then they’re giving you a sign that something is wrong with it. Most importantly, yellow leaves can’t photosynthesize, as well as green leaves.
That’s why green leaves are better, because they indicate the plant is healthy and happy. Green leaves just look better too – the signature round or coin shaped, green leaves are part of what makes the Pilea such an attractive houseplant.
Causes of Yellow Leaves on Chinese Money Plants
Here are some reasons that your Piela leaves turn yellow from green.
Overwatering
If you’re giving too much or too frequently water as needed, your plant’s root won’t get enough oxygen. And that’s the first reason why your plant’s leaves might be turning yellow.
So, much moisture isn’t good for indoor plants and especially the pilea peperomioides, it won’t let your plant work normally.
Underwatering
If your plant’s soil is completely dry out because you’re not providing water, your plant’s leaf will become yellow and wilt.
Nutrient deficiencies
Just like humans, plants also need nutrition, for example nitrogen and Iron. If your plant doesn’t have these nutrients, it won’t produce enough chlorophyll, and in the end, the plant will leave its natural green color.
Lack of sunlight
Yeah! It is true that a household plant doesn’t need too much or direct sunlight, but still they need bright sunlight.
If you have placed your plant somewhere where it’s not getting enough bright light, it can’t photosynthesize properly, which will cause yellowing leaves.
All these reasons cause the leaves to turn pale as they disrupt chlorophyll production, which gives the green color to the plant’s leaves.
How to cure the yellow leaves of your Pilea peperomioides?
Here are some important things you need to apply if you notice your plant’s leaves have turned yellow.
Provide water in a limited quantity
Proper watering is important for Pilea plants; they don’t need a lot of water but still need to be consistently moist.
Before watering your plant, you want to make sure to touch its soil, whether it’s completely dry out or not, if it is, then you can provide water, otherwise avoid it.
On average you can provide water once in a week during summer, and in winter, once in two weeks, but making sure the soil is dry out completely.
Keep your plant fertilized
Regular fertilization is beneficial for Pilea plants, especially during the growing season. You can use balanced, water-soluble fertilizer and apply it every 2-3 weeks at half the recommended strength.
The fertilizer will provide important nutrients to your plants, such as nitrogen, Iron, phosphorus, potassium, etc, and eventually strengthen your plant so it can grow.
Provide balanced light
Pilea plants need bright indirect light to thrive, although they can also tolerate some direct sun, but too much can scorch the leaves.
You can keep your plant at least 4-6 hours in bright light, no matter where you keep it, like in the bathroom or anywhere, but during the day you should place it near a window. Always avoid the afternoon sun when it’s on peak.
Air circulation
Good air flow is also important as it’ll prevent fungal issues which can lead to yellow leaves (It’s not a common one but still need to focus on it).
You can use a fan which can gently circulate the air around your Pilea, or place it near an open window, at the end it needs a little air flow.
So, if you ever notice your Chinese money plant is turning its leaves into yellow you’ve considered adjusting these factors.
How to prevent Chinese money plant yellow leaves
Here are some tips you can follow to maintain optimal growing conditions for your Pilea peperomioides and prevent yellow leaves:
Choose the right soil type
Pilea plants thrive in a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix, so that’s really important for them.
You can simply look for a potting soil specifically formulated for indoor plants. Moreover, it’s better to avoid dense, heavy soils for this Chinese plant, because it can lead to overwatering issues.
Keep it the right Temperature & Humidity
Chinese money plants need moderate temperatures between 65-75°F (approximately 18.33°C to 23.89°C).
Besides this, they also appreciate higher humidity levels, nearly 40-50%. However, you can increase humidity by misting the leaves regularly and you can also use a pebble tray.
Repotting & Propagation
Be very careful with repotting or when you’re propagating Chinese money plants. Because it can stress the plant and cause leaves to yellow.
The best time to repot is spring when the plant is actively growing. Propagation through division or leaf cuttings is perfectly fine, but only when you do it properly. Right way of propagating won’t lead to leaf discoloration.
Common problems and their prevention of Chinese money plant
Besides overwatering, underwatering or nutrient deficiency there are some more problems you need to focus on, as they can also affect the plant’s health.
For example, Pests, in this, Insects like mealybugs or spider mites can cause leaf discoloration so you can inspect your plant on regular basis for and treat any pest infestations.
Besides this, the sudden environmental changes aren’t good for plants too. Sometimes if you move a plant to a new location with different light, temperature or humidity can stress your plant and lead to yellow leaves.
Conclusion
Overall, there is a simple reason why your Chinese money plant turns its green leaves into yellow is because you’re not providing enough water, or either you’re providing too much water.
Beside this, there might be other reasons, such as you’re not fertilizing your plant, it is not getting proper bright light or air as they can cause yellow leaves.
So make sure you focus on these things, plus don’t place your plant in direct sunlight. It can bear a little bit, but not too much, because it’s an indoor house plant.
By doing all these things you can stop Chinese Money Plant leaves turning yellow, developing brown spots, or falling off.