If your Pilea leaves have turned yellow, you may be wondering what is causing this and how to fix it.
Pilea peperomioides, also known as Chinese Money plants, are beautiful, but they can look a bit sickly if their leaves turn yellow.
This is a common issue with Chinese Money plants, and several causes can lead to it.
Here we will discuss the most common reasons for Pilea leaves turning yellow and solutions for fixing the problem.
Why Are My Chinese Money Plant Leaves Turning Yellow?
Pilea plants are native to Southern China, but they have become popular houseplants worldwide due to their low maintenance needs and easy care.
They are hardy plants and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, but they will suffer if not given the proper care like most plants.
One of the most common problems with Pilea plants is when their leaves turn yellow.
There are several reasons why Chinese Money plant leaves may turn yellow, and it is essential to identify the cause so you can take the necessary steps to fix it.
Below we will discuss the most common reasons for Pilea leaves turning yellow and solutions for fixing the problem.
1. Overwatering
One of the most common causes of Pilea leaves turning yellow is overwatering.
Pileas are native to tropical rainforests, so they prefer high humidity and moist soil.
However, if the soil is too wet, it can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off.
An overwatered Pilea can also lead to fungal growth, which can further damage the plant.
How To Fix It
If you suspect that you are overwatering your Chinese Money plant, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
You may also need to adjust your watering schedule to allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
In general, Pileas should be watered once a week or when the top inch of soil is dry.
You can help prevent overwatering and keep your Pilea healthy by taking these steps.
2. Underwatering
When Pilea plants don’t get enough water, their leaves start to turn yellow and wilt.
This is because the plants are stressed and can’t produce enough chlorophyll to keep their leaves healthy.
Other symptoms of underwatering include wilting, dry soil, and brown tips on the leaves.
Underwatering is a common problem with houseplants and can be caused by several factors, such as low humidity, draughts, or poor soil drainage.
How To Fix It
If you think your Pilea plant is underwatered, water it thoroughly and check the soil every few days to make sure it’s moist but not soggy.
You may also need to adjust your watering schedule to ensure the plant gets enough water.
You can tell if your Pilea is getting enough water if the soil remains moist but not wet for several days after watering.
Watering less often but deeply is better than watering frequently but shallowly.
3. Poor Soil Drainage
Poor soil drainage is often the cause of Pilea leaves turning yellow.
When the roots of a Pilea are constantly wet, they begin to rot.
This process cuts off the flow of water and nutrients to the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and eventually die.
In addition, poor drainage can also lead to fungal growth, which can further damage the plant.
How To Fix It
Pilea plants need well-draining soil to thrive, so if your plant suffers from poor drainage, you need to amend the soil.
You can add some perlite or sand to the potting mix.
You can also improve the drainage by planting your Chinese Money plant in a pot with a drainage hole so the water can flow freely.
4. Poor Lighting
If you notice that your Pilea leaves turn yellow, it is likely due to poor lighting.
Pilea plants need bright indirect light to thrive.
If they do not receive enough light, their leaves will begin to turn yellow to compensate for the lack of light energy.
In some cases, the leaves may also become dry and brittle.
How To Fix It
If you suspect your Pilea is not getting enough light, move it to a location that will receive more bright indirect sunlight.
Pilea plants need at least four hours of bright light per day.
When grown as indoor plants, it’s best to place them near an east- or west-facing window.
If this is not possible, you can also use a grow light to provide the plant with enough light.
5. Too Much Sun
Pilea plants are known for their vibrant, green leaves.
However, if the plant is exposed to too much direct sunlight, the leaves will begin to turn yellow.
This is because direct sun causes the chlorophyll in the leaves to break down, leading to a loss of color.
In addition, the sun can also damage the cell membranes, causing the leaves to become dry and brittle.
How To Fix It
If you notice that your Pilea plant’s leaves turn yellow, try moving it to a location with less direct sunlight.
Pilea plants should be kept in a location where they receive bright indirect sunlight.
If you cannot move the plant, you can also use a sheer curtain or blinds to help diffuse the light.
6. Temperature Extremes
Pilea leaves typically turn yellow when the plant is exposed to extreme changes in temperature.
Pilea is a tropical plant, and it prefers consistent temperatures between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the temperature drops below 68 degrees, Pilea’s leaves will begin to turn yellow.
Similarly, the leaves may also turn yellow if the temperature rises above 72 degrees.
However, Pilea is a hardy plant, and it will usually recover from brief exposure to temperature extremes.
How To Fix It
Pilea plants do best when kept in a consistent environment, so try to avoid exposing them to extreme changes in temperature.
If the temperature drops below 68 degrees, try to warm up the plant by moving it to a warmer location.
Place it near a window where the sun is shining, or use a space heater to warm up the room.
If the temperature rises above 72 degrees, try to cool down the plant by moving it to a cooler location.
You can place it in a room with an air conditioner or move it outside into the shade.
7. Nutrient Deficiency
Pilea plants need nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium to grow healthy and vibrant.
Plants get these nutrients from the soil, and if the soil is not rich in nutrients, the plant will begin to show signs of deficiency.
Soil can become deficient in nutrients for several reasons, including overfertilization, under fertilization, or poor quality soil.
How To Fix It
If you suspect that your Pilea plant is not getting the nutrients, you can supplement the soil with a liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength.
Fertilize the plant every two weeks until the leaves return to their original color.
Alternatively, you can also add organic matter to the soil to help improve its nutrient content.
Compost, manure, or worm castings are all excellent sources of nutrients for Pilea plants.
Also, repotting the Pilea every year or so with fresh soil can help to improve its nutrient content.
8. Root Rot
Pilea plants are susceptible to root rot, a fungal disease that can kill the plant.
Root rot is caused by several different fungi and typically attacks the plant’s roots.
These fungi are most often found in wet, poorly drained soil.
This prevents the roots from getting the oxygen they need, which causes them to break down and die.
As the roots die, they can no longer take up water and nutrients from the soil, causing the leaves to turn yellow and eventually die.
How To Fix It
If you suspect that your Pilea plant has root rot, inspect the roots for signs of fungus.
If the roots are black, soft, and slimy, you need to take action to save the plant.
Remove the plant from its pot and gently wash the roots with water.
Then, dry the roots off before repotting them in fresh soil.
You can also treat the plant with a fungicide to kill the fungus.
9. Pests
Pilea plants are also susceptible to pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.
Pests can cause Chinese Money plant leaves to turn yellow in several ways.
For example, they may suck the sap out of the leaves, leading to nutrient deficiencies.
They may also physically damage the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and eventually die.
In some cases, pests may also carry diseases that can infect Pilea plants and cause the leaves to turn yellow.
How To Fix It
If you suspect pests have infested your Pilea plant, you can treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Neem oil is a natural pesticide derived from the neem tree, and it is effective against a wide range of pests.
Insecticidal soap is also a natural pesticide, and it works by suffocating the pests.
You can also try to physically remove the pests from the plant using a manual spray bottle or a horticultural toothbrush.
10. Diseases
Pilea plants are also susceptible to several diseases, including botrytis blight, leaf spot, and powdery mildew.
These diseases can cause the leaves to turn yellow in several ways.
For example, they may cause the leaves to rot or die or cause the leaves to develop a white powdery coating.
How To Fix It
If your Pilea plant is showing signs of disease, it’s best to take action as soon as possible.
Remove any infected leaves and dispose of them in the trash.
Treat the plant with a fungicide or pesticide, following the product’s instructions carefully.
If the disease is severe, you may need to discard the plant and start over with a new one.
Why Are the Bottom Leaves of My Pilea Turning Yellow?
Pilea plants are known for their vibrant, green leaves.
However, sometimes the bottom leaves of a Pilea plant will begin to turn yellow.
There are a few possible reasons for this.
One possibility is that the plant is not getting enough light.
Pilea plants need bright indirect light to stay healthy.
If the bottom leaves are turning yellow, it may be a sign that the plant is not getting enough light.
Another possibility is that the plant is getting too much water.
Pileas like to stay moist but not wet.
Overwatering can cause the bottom leaves to fall off.
Why Are My Pilea Leaves Turning Yellow and Falling Off?
Pilea leaves turning yellow and falling off is a common issue caused by several different factors.
One of the most common reasons is improper watering.
Pileas like to have their potting soil moist but not soggy.
If the soil is too dry, the leaves will start to turn yellow and drop off.
However, if the soil is too wet, the roots will suffocate, and the leaves will also turn yellow and drop off.
Why Is My Pilea Turning Yellow and Brown?
Pilea leaves turning yellow and brown is a common problem with Pilea plants.
There are several reasons why this may happen, including too much sun, too little water, or not enough nutrients.
If the leaves are only slightly yellowed, it may just be a sign that the plant is thirsty. In this case, simply increase the frequency of watering.
However, if the leaves are entirely yellowed and brown, it may be a sign of a more severe problem.
One possible reason for this is root rot.
This is a disease that can be caused by overwatering or by using poor-quality soil.
If your Pilea peperomioides plant is experiencing root rot, the leaves will turn yellow and brown, and the plant will start to wilt.
Why Is My Pilea Turning Yellow and Black?
Overwatering is one of the most common reasons Pilea leaves turn yellow and black.
Pileas like to be kept moist but not soggy.
If your Pilea is sitting in water or its pot doesn’t have adequate drainage, this could cause the roots to rot and the leaves to turn yellow and black.
Another possibility is that the plant is experiencing spider mites.
Spider mites are tiny, red bugs that can cause the leaves of a Pilea plant to turn yellow and black.
They can be difficult to get rid of, so it’s best to take action as soon as you notice them.
Should I Remove Yellow Leaves From Pilea?
Pilea plants (Chinese money plants) are beautiful, easy-to-care-for houseplants that are popular for their round, green leaves.
However, many Pilea owners become concerned when they notice yellow leaves on their plants.
So, should you remove yellow leaves from a Pilea plant?
The answer to this question depends on the cause of the yellow leaves.
If the leaves turn yellow due to overwatering, remove them, as they will not recover.
However, if the leaves turn yellow due to a lack of water or nutrients, removing them may do more harm than good.
The best way to determine why your Pilea leaves turn yellow is to inspect the root system.
If the roots are healthy and white, the plant will likely get enough water and nutrients.
However, if the roots are brown or black, the plant is not getting enough of either.
You can try adding a water-soluble fertilizer to your watering routine, or you can transplant the plant to a pot with fresh soil.
No matter the cause of the Chinese Money plant yellow leaves, it is essential to keep an eye on the plant’s overall health.
If most of the leaves turn yellow, the plant is likely not happy and needs your help.
Try adjusting your watering schedule or fertilizing routine, and keep an eye on the plant to see if its condition improves.
If it doesn’t, it may be time to consider replacing the plant.
Final Thoughts
Pilea plants (Chinese money plants) are easy-to-care-for houseplants that are popular for their round, green leaves.
However, if your Pilea leaves start to turn yellow, there could be a problem.
The most important thing to do is identify the cause of the yellowing leaf so you can take steps to correct it.
But don’t worry; in most cases, the solution is relatively easy, and your Pilea will be back to its former glory in no time.
