The more your Chinese Money Plant blooms, the more your riches increase, or so many believe. Who wouldn’t want this plant? The Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) has recently evolved into a common houseplant.
It can be frustrating to try and figure out why your Chinese money plant’s leaves are curling; unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence. But it isn’t always a bad sign. It takes time and patience to master the language of Pilea peperomioides plants, but they may reveal much information via their leaves.
Causes Of Chinese Money Plant Leaves Curling
Chinese Money plant leaves can curl in three different ways, and the patterns of curling on your plant might aid you in identifying the issue
- New Leaves
The most important thing to remember is that almost all Chinese money plants will have curling leaves at some point. New leaves can take some time to become flat after being curled at first.
Because new leaves emerge from the top of the stem, it is normal to see only the plant’s top leaves curled while the remainder remains healthy. Simply keep an eye on your plant to make sure it is growing in the proper conditions.
2. Low Light
One of the most frequent reasons for leaf curl is low light or plants being in a shady place. The leaf’s center pushes forward and forms a dome shape while the outer edges curl back.
3. Over Watering
Variations in the water content of the leaves of the Chinese money plant (pilea peperomioides) are primarily responsible for the change in the shape of the leaves. The leaves will take in more water than necessary if you overwater your plant. This can cause curling and distortion of the ordinarily flat appearance of the leaves.
Excessive watering frequently results in the leaves curling or doming downward as they try to enlarge to retain more water.
Look for additional signs of overwatering, like yellowing foliage, soaked soil, and water accumulating within the drip tray, indicating root rot, if you suspect that overwatering could affect your Chinese money plant.
4. Inadequate Nutrition And Overheating
Excessive fertilizing may also cause the leaves to curl. The Chinese money plant should be fertilized using a routine instead of being fed nutrients voraciously; it is the most effective way.
Because fertilizer salts accumulate in the soil and harm plants’ roots when they are dormant, fertilizing them at the wrong time can be bad for your plant. The roots will get brown and curled due to their inability to function efficiently.
You will notice impacts if you overfeed your plant. Your plants are especially vulnerable if they are calcium or potassium deficient. Any of these scenarios will result in the leaf tips turning yellow and curving downward.
5. Infestations Of Insects
Insect-damaged leaves may curl up and become unattractive, and they may have spots or other flaws all over them. The great news is that most pests are easy to recognize.
The most common pests that attack Chinese money plants include mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, and scale insects.
Black mold and soft webbing are typical symptoms of spider mite invasion. The leaves may change color, move, or even fall off, depending on the extent of the damage.
6. Diseases
Overwatering can lead to humid conditions that make your plant vulnerable to fungus. Unfortunately, Chinese money plants can also be attacked by insects and man-made conditions causing disease, so be cautious with those. You should know your Chinese money plant is in danger when you notice curling, sitting, and yellowing.
Types Of Disease That Affects Chinese Money Plant
- Pythium Root Rot
Chinese money plants frequently get this type of root rot brought on by the fungus Pythium splendens when they receive excessive watering.
The damaged roots are typically mushy, black, and decomposed. Curled, yellowed, and wilted leaves indicate pythium root rot.
2. Anthracnose
The fungus Colletotrichum frequently brings on this fungal disease that affects Chinese money plants. Typically, small brown lesions that seem swollen and damp are the first symptoms. The leaves could turn dark or grey in hue before expanding and drying.
3. Rhizoctonia Light
The fungus Rhizoctonia solani is what causes this leaf blight condition. On most leaves, it develops a variety of dark red lesions. The afflicted foliage may immediately begin to curl and droop.
4. Underwatering
Underwatering and irregular watering techniques are additional causes of leaf curls. This might occur if you allow your soil to dry up following extended periods of excessive irrigation.
Lack of moisture causes the leaves to wilt, curl, or wrinkle. The worst that can happen is that your plant’s leaves will eventually curl up and fall off.
5. Poor Drainage
If you anticipate this issue, look more closely at the roots since these plants don’t really tolerate damp circumstances well. As soon as you have added a layer of fine gravel, check that the nursery pot has lots of drainage holes in the bottom.
How To Fix Chinese Money Plant Leaves Curling?
The most likely causes of curling Chinese money plants’ leaves are temperature stress or overwatering. Significant leaf curling will result from severe underwatering, and Additionally, it may cause older leaves to curl and die.
Remember that excessive overwatering can lead to root rot.
- Learn How To Water Properly
Whenever the soil is dry, bottom irrigation is your best option. Put your plant in a container with three and four inches of water, and give it every chance to absorb water.
2. Use Drainage Pots
Using drainage pots will also assist in repotting the plants in indoor compost using extra grit. Another method to improve drainage, speed up moisture evaporation, and boost humidity is to place the newly potted plant on a saucer filled with stones.
3. Enough Light
In case of curling caused by no light, place the plant in direct, intense light for a few days and watch the leaves flatten over a few weeks.
Keep your Chinese money plants away from direct sunshine because it can destroy the leaves. Instead, please place them in a sunny location. Remember that the weather and seasons outdoors may significantly affect the amount of light, so you might need to move your plant over time.
5. Change the Position Of the Plant
Heat stress is a common cause of plants curling their leaves; by doing so, the plant can reduce evaporation and retain extra moisture. Move your plants to a cooler location, preferably far from heaters and harsh sunshine, if their leaves are curling.
Wrapping Up
Several conflicting theories exist on the causes and remedies for curling Chinese money plant leaves. This is primarily because numerous factors exist, and every plant grows under somewhat different circumstances.
The leaf curling of your Chinese money plant should gradually disappear if you concentrate on giving it the best growing conditions and addressing any evident problems as soon as possible.