The most common reason for your pilea plant to turn yellow is overwatering. Remember that you only need to water your pilea plant if the top 25% of the soil is dry. However, if you leave too much time between watering and allow the soil to become bone dry before wetting it, this can also cause the plant to become stressed.
Other causes of yellowing pilea leaves are humidity, insufficient light, potassium deficiency, temperature changes and pests.
In this article, we will discuss the various causes of yellowing pilea leaves and how to remedy each one.
The Pilea Plant
The Pilea plant is native to the southern Yunnan province of China. It is also called the Chinese money plant or the friendship plant. It was brought to Norway by a missionary in the 1940s, and has only very recently become popular in the United States.
This is a very aesthetically pleasing plant that is hardy but is easy to care for. It is not toxic to animals or humans, so it is safe to have as an indoor plant.
Although the Pilea is a succulent, it prefers indirect light as opposed to full sun. It can become easily scorched when exposed to direct sunlight. It is able to adapt well to low light, but may spread out and change its hue. It tends to lean toward the sun as it grows. To avoid this, rotate the plant every couple of days.
This plant has a very distinct look that makes it stand out from other plants. It is a fast-growing plant, and because it is a succulent, it can tolerate dry conditions.
Pileas are thought to bring luck and wealth to whoever they have been gifted to, which is why the plant is often given as a housewarming gift.
Even though we mentioned that this plant is low maintenance and great for newbies, there are still factors you need to consider when growing a Pilea. Knowing how to spot an ailing plant and solving the problem will help to keep it healthy.
Why are my Pilea’s leaves turning yellow?
Overwatering
The most common cause of yellowing Pilea plant leaves is overwatering. Pileas like their soil damp but not soggy. Overwatering can be more common in the winter when plant owners fail to adjust their watering schedule to the season. You need not water your plant as much in the winter because the cold weather will make the plant’s soil dry more slowly.
It is important for the plant to be in a pot or container that has drainage holes at the bottom. If there is a saucer at the bottom of the pot, be sure to discard the excess water in the saucer and not let the plant sit in the standing water. Plants do not like their roots to be constantly soaking in wet soil, as this can lead to root rot. The rot can make its way up the stem and the leaves, making them turn yellow. If the rot has reached the stem and leaves, it usually means that the plant is no longer salvageable.
The best thing to do if you do not know how often to water your Pilea is to touch the soil. If it is dry, water it, but if it is still moist, wait one or two days before checking the soil again.
Humidity
Dry soil and low humidity can cause the leaves of your Pilea plant to droop and develop brown edges. Over time, the leaves will turn completely yellow, then brown, and drop off the plant. You can increase the humidity around your Pilea by misting the leaves with water from a spray bottle.
Insufficient light
As mentioned above, the Pilea likes to be in indirect sunlight rather than full sun, but this does not mean you can allow a situation where the plant gets no light for long periods.
Yes, the plant’s foliage will burn if it is exposed to too much sun for too long, but if you place it in low light for too much time, its leaves will turn yellow.
Too little light can affect a plant’s ability to produce chlorophyll, which gives plants their signature green color.
Remedy this by placing the plant in a spot that is neither too sunny nor too shady. If you find the perfect spot for your plant, its leaves will become a brighter green.
Potassium deficiency
A Pilea plant with a potassium deficiency will develop yellow or brown leaves. The edges of the leaves will look burnt, as if they have been burned by too much sunlight. If your plant has not been in the sun but still looks like it was, this is probably due to potassium deficiency.
You can remedy this by treating the plant with a potassium-rich fertilizer. Check the soil pH and make sure it is somewhere between pH 6 to 7. This pH level is needed for effective potassium absorption.
Temperature changes
Pilea plants like their environmental temperature to be between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you do not place the plant near heating vents or air conditioning. Extreme changes in temperature can cause the plant to become stressed and turn yellow.
Pests
The most common pests to attack Pilea plants are spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. They are more likely to attack your plant when it is stressed or weakened. All of these insects can damage the plant and cause the leaves to turn yellow, then brown, and fall off.
Pests feed on the plant’s juices and weaken it the more they feed on it. Make sure you keep the infested plant away from your other plants so the infestation does not spread.
Remove spider mites by spraying them off with a spray bottle full of water.
Remove mealybugs by wiping the leaves with alcohol on a cotton pad.
After you have removed the insects, protect your Pilea by applying a natural insecticide.
Conclusion
A Pilea plant’s leaves will turn yellow when it is stressed. This indicates a problem in its living conditions, or factors out of its control. If you want to salvage your plant, identify the problem as fast as you can so you can fix it immediately.
The common causes of yellowing Pilea leaves are overwatering, humidity, insufficient light, potassium deficiency, temperature changes and pests.
Pilea plants are hardy and great for beginners, so as long as you provide their basic needs, you will have no problem growing them in your garden.
Image: istockphoto.com / patnowa