The beautiful house plant Pilea Peperomioides, popularly known as the Chinese Money plant, is well-known for its vivid green, coin-shaped leaves. This beautiful plant is grown mainly for its flawlessly rounded leaves; if planted indoors, this tropical plant makes a lovely display.
One of the significant problems Pilea lovers have is the leaves’ tendency to curl and droop.
But because it is a delicate plant, its flattened leaves will begin to curl if you do not give it the right conditions. Learn the cause of your Pilea leaves curling and how to revive it when it curls.
What Cause Pilea Leaves Curling?
Here are a few explanations for why your plant’s leaves are deteriorating because you have done something wrong.
1. Dry Soil
Although pilea plants can tolerate some drought, they will become distressed if they don’t receive enough water. Curled leaves are one of the initial indicators of an underwatered Pilea. Pilea plant leaves start to curl when they don’t get enough water to keep them from losing moisture.
The leaves will shrink, produce fewer, smaller flowers, and grow brittle and dry.
2. Cold Temperatures
Pilea plants are susceptible to harm from frost since they are not cold-tolerant. Chinese Money Plants frequently begin to curl when exposed to freezing temperatures.
3. Overwatering
Pilea plants require frequent watering, but too much and too little water might harm them, one of the most frequent issues with indoor plants is overwatering, which can lead to several problems, including curled leaves. The leaves of Pilea plants start to curl and fall off when they receive too much water. Aside from turning brown or black, the leaf edges may also change color.
The stems could also go mushy and squishy; when in harsh conditions, the plant may rot at the roots and perish.
4. Too Much Sunlight
Although they may tolerate some direct sunshine, pilea plants thrive in solid indirect light, as excessive amounts of direct sunshine can harm the plant and make the leaves curl.
The Pilea can lower its surface area by curling; the edges of the leaves on Pilea plants exposed to excessive direct sunlight will curl, get dry, and become brown.
5. Low humidity
Because they prefer high humidity, pilea plants are indigenous to tropical and subtropical climates. Even though they can withstand lower humidity levels, leaves may curl if the air is arid.
Pilea leaves would begin to curl and fall away if the air was too dry. The leaf edges may also darken to a brown or black color.
6. Pest Infestation
For Pilea plants, pest infestations can be a significant issue and frequently result in curled leaves, Mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies are among other pests that may harm Pilea plants, and the Pilea leaves frequently turn yellow or brown during pest infestations and may also curl.
One of the most frequent pests that affect Pilea plants is aphids; the sap from the plant is consumed by these tiny insects, which can lead the leaves to curl.
7. Heat Stress
Pilea plants prefer warm temperatures and are native to tropical and subtropical climates, and they may experience heat exhaustion, though, if the temperature rises too high.
Pilea leaves frequently begin to curl when subjected to intense heat. Although the whole Pilea leaf may be impacted, this is most frequently seen on the leaf tips. The cells on the leaf’s topmost layer are damaged by heat, which is the cause of this curling.
8. Nutrient Deficiency
For pilea plants to be healthy and develop appropriately, they require a consistent supply of nutrients. Curling leaves are one of several issues that might result from a lack of necessary nutrients. Nitrogen insufficiency is one of the most prevalent nutrient deficiencies among Pilea plants.
The development of leaves and the maintenance of their green color depend on nitrogen. The leaves of your Pilea will start to curl and turn yellow if it is not receiving enough nitrogen.
9. Compacted Soil
Pilea plants prefer potting soil that is free-draining and loose. Curling leaves are one issue that might result from overly compacted soil, as the roots cannot correctly breathe whenever the soil is too dense, causing the leaves to curl and drop as a result.
Additionally, the plant may become stunted and unable to grow normally due to compacted soil.
10. Transplant Shock
Pilea leaves can curl, droop, and turn brown due to transplant shock, a frequent issue when a plant is relocated to a new container or environment.
A plant’s roots are disturbed during transplantation, which may send it into shock. This indicates that the plant cannot obtain the nutrients and water required to survive. Planting the Pilea extremely deeply inside the pot might result in transplant shock.
How To Fix Pilea Leave The Curling?
If your pilea plant is dieing these are the solutions.
1. Underwatering
Giving your houseplant water is the most excellent cure for underwatering.
About once per week, or whenever the soil seems dry to the touch, Pilea plants need to be watered.
When your Pilea vigorously develops in the summer, you should water it more frequently.
Ensure the soil is dry at least one inch below the surface before watering; until the surplus water starts running out from the pot’s bottom, water steadily and deeply.
2. Overwatering
If you suspect that you’ve overwatered your Pilea, wait until the soil is arid before adding more water.
Make sure the soil is dry at least an inch just below the surface before watering and wait a day or two before watering the soil if it is still damp; if you notice that your Pilea is consistently overwatered, you may need to change your watering plan or the type of pot you are using.
It could be necessary to repot the plant in new soil if the roots have already started to decay. To keep the roots from soaking in water, make sure that the new pot contains drainage holes.
3. Low Humidity
You must raise the humidity surrounding your plant if it has low humidity by placing the plant on a pebble tray is one method to achieve.
Cover the pan with gravel or stones, then add enough water to cover the stones. Also, ensure the pot is not submerged in water when you place your plant on the tray. The humidity level around your plant will rise due to water evaporation. To raise the humidity in the space where your plant is, you can also use a humidifier.
4. Transplant Shock
The best course of action when your Pilea is experiencing transplant shock is to leave it alone. After transplanting, give your plant at least a week without fertilizer or watering; the plant will begin to recuperate once it has had time to get used to its new surroundings.
After a week, one can give your Pilea a gentle misting of water if it still doesn’t appear to be getting better. Use water that is at room temperature, and water the soil only—not the leaves.
5. Heat Stress
Grow your Pilea plant in such a place that it doesn’t get too hot to avoid heat stress; make sure it is not placed in direct sunlight and keep it away from vents.
You might try sprinkling their leaves with water to enable them to cool off if the temperature becomes too high.
6. Cold Temperature
Bring your Pilea plant inside if it is exposed to chilly conditions; put it somewhere warm and sunny, away from drafts.
To provide it with the additional light it requires to remain healthy, and you might also want to think about utilizing a grow lamp.
7. Nutrient Deficiency
The best course of action is to fertilize your Pilea if you believe it is not receiving enough nutrients. Pick a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content and adhere to the directions on the packaging; during the growing season, remember to fertilize the plant every two weeks.
You might also try incorporating some organic material, like compost or manure, into the potting soil; this will increase the soil’s quality and provide the nutrients your plant needs.
8. Compacted Soil
The soil surrounding your Pilea plant needs to be loosened. This can be accomplished by incorporating organic materials into the soil, like compost or manure. You can use a garden fork or a tiller to loosen the soil. Make careful to loosen the dirt around the plant, not just around the roots.
Your Pilea may need to be replanted in a new pot containing new, loose soil if the soil is just too compacted, fix it.
Beautiful Pilea Peperomioides needs special care and consideration. It is undoubtedly challenging to pinpoint the primary reason for the leaves’ curling. The Chinese Money plant can live and develop lushly inside your dwellings; nevertheless, you should concentrate on its fundamental requirements and address any apparent issues.