Pilea peperomioides, also known as Chinese money plants, have become quite popular over the past few years due to their easy to care for nature and cute, round leaves. One of the main problems plant owners have with Pilea is over watering- drooping or discolored leaves, leaf drop, and even plant death are common issues and all may by due to too much water.
Pilea like for their top layer of soil to dry out between watering. If the plant is watered too frequently, it damages the roots and causes other issues.
Once your figure out the correct water needs for your plant, it will really thrive. Learn more about how often you should water Pilea, signs of an over or under watered Pilea, how you can save a dying plant, and how to avoid problems.
For more information about general Pilea care, check out this complete care guide.
General information
Pilea peperomioides is a flowering plant in the Urticaceae family that is native to southern China. It is found growing on shady, damp rocks in the wild. It enjoys high humidity and warm, constant temperatures.
How to water your Pilea
While some people like to water their plants once a week on a specific day, that may lead to the plant being watered inappropriately. It is more important to check the condition of the soil every few days to determine when water is needed.
Before watering, check the moisture level of the plant’s soil by sticking your finger in the top few inches (you can also use a moisture meter). Pilea prefer for their soil to dry out in between watering.
If the soil still feels moist, wait a couple more days before checking again. If the top few inches of soil are dry, it is time to water your Pilea. If you are unsure, wait a few days before checking again because it is easier to fix under watering than it is to fix over watering.
For me, this ends up being about once a week in the summer and once every two to three weeks in the winter. Keep in mind that your schedule may be different, depending on your Pilea’s environmental conditions (explained more later on).
You can use a soil moisture meter as well if you want to be precise but it is not necessary.
The most important thing to remember is: always check the moisture of the soil before you water.
How to water your Pilea
Once you check your soil and know your Pilea needs a drink, what is the best way to water it?
Use room temperature filtered water. Tap water that is high in salts and chemicals (like chlorine and fluoride) can cause brown, curling leaves. You can use filtered tap water or let the water sit out in a bowl overnight before watering so the chlorine has time to evaporate. Avoid using water that is too hot or too cold because that damages the plant’s roots.
Pour the water on the soil at the base of the plant. Avoid overhead watering and do not get the leaves wet because that promotes bacterial or fungal growth. If a few drops land on the leaves, wipe them off with a tissue so the leaves do not stay wet.
Pour until you notice water coming out of the drainage hole, if your pot has one. The soil should be fairly moist (but not soaking wet) by this point. This shows that the water has reached all the soil and promotes root growth. After the water has collected in the saucer, dump it out so the plant does not sit in it for too long.
It is better to water deeply less often than it is to water in small amounts frequently.
Root rot
The quickest way to kill a Pilea is by over watering. Over watering leads to root rot, which starts off in the roots then spreads above ground damaging leaves, stems, and eventually kills the entire plant.
If the soil is stays wet for a long time from watering too frequently, or the plant is not in a well-draining mix, this can kick start the root rot process because your plant’s roots are literally “drowning” in the extra water and cannot absorb oxygen or nutrients the plant needs.
At first, root rot is only visible underground, making it difficult to detect in the early stages. As more roots die, the leaves and stems begin to show signs. By then, the roots may be very damaged, which is what makes fixing over watered plants so difficult.
Factors contributing to over watering
Watering too frequently can of course cause over watering, but it is not the only cause. Over watering can also be a result of poorly draining soil or planting in the wrong container. Without the proper soil or pot, your Pilea will suffer from over watering even if watered at the appropriate times.
Choosing the right soil
Choose a well-draining soil mix for the Pilea. A great way to make your own mix is by adding perlite or gravel to a houseplant potting soil to increase the drainage. I mix one part perlite to two parts of soil for a well-draining mix. Succulent soil mixes can also be used.
The proper soil helps prevent root rot. Avoid planting in dense, rich soil because it retains water for longer than needed, soaking the roots and promoting rot.
Choosing the right pot
A terracotta pot with a drainage hole is the best choice if you have a tendency to over water your plants. Terracotta allows extra water to evaporate out and lets the plant’s roots aerate, which prevents root rot.
Plastic pots tend to keep the water soaked in the soil and do not let the roots breathe. If your Pilea is in one of these, consider repotting it or be sure to water less often.
It is also important to choose a pot that is the appropriate size. If the pot is too large, the extra soil drowns the roots when wet. On the other hand, a pot that is too small stunts plant growth.
Environmental factors affecting Pilea plant watering
Certain conditions (light, temperature, humidity, type of container, season, and size of the plant) affect how frequently your Pilea should be watered. Different plants have different watering schedules depending on their surroundings. You may even have Pilea in different locations with slightly different watering needs.
Light
Placing Pilea houseplants in bright, indirect sunlight promotes faster growth. More sunlight also dries out the soil quicker, so water the plant more often than if it were in shade. Check the soil moisture every few days to see if the plant needs a drink.
Temperature
Plants in warmer temperatures need to be watered more frequently than those in cooler temperatures. In the summer, check the plant’s moisture and water more often than in the winter because the warm weather dries the soil faster.
Humidity
If the air around the Pilea is very dry, it should be watered more often. High humidity areas, such as bathrooms or next to a humidifier, will not replace watering completely but do decrease the frequency of watering because the water does not evaporate from the soil as fast.
Growing season
The amount of water needed by the plant varies depending on the time of year. Pileas require more water during their growing season in the spring and summer. During the winter, the plant becomes dormant and requires less watering since it is not actively growing.
Type of pot
As stated before, Pileas in terracotta pots should be watered more often than those in ceramic or plastic pots, or those planted in terrariums. This is because the terracotta allows the water to evaporate out faster. Terrariums, plastic pots, and ceramic pots, retain moisture for longer. While Pilea can survive in these, take care to not over water.
Plant size
If you have a few Pilea of different sizes, they may not all need to be watered at the same time. Smaller plants need to be watered slightly more often than larger ones because they have less soil, so the water dries out quicker. However, larger plants require a larger volume of water when their soil is dry.
How to tell if your Pilea is not watered appropriately
Over watering leads to root rot and plant death. On the other hand, under watering leads to dry and crispy leaves, so it important to strike a balance.
Note: it is normal for the bottom leaves of a Pilea to change color, droop and fall off. This is a part of the plant’s growth and nothing has to be done. However, if the majority of the leaves are damaged, including the new growth on top, it is likely you have a watering problem.
Signs of over watered Pilea
- Dropping leaves
- Curling leaves
- Yellow or brown stems and leaves
- Mold on the soil, musty smell coming from the soil
- Mushy, soft stems
- Very soggy, wet soil
Related article: Pilea leaf drop and how to fix it.
Over watering causes rot and even death if left unchecked. However, if the problem is fixed early enough, you can still save the plant.
If you suspect your Pilea is over watered, remove the plant from its pot and clean the soil off the roots. Examine the roots closely for any signs of rot. Healthy roots are firm and white to light tan. Rotten roots are dark brown or black and slimy. Cut off the rotten roots with sharp scissors, sterilizing the scissors with rubbing alcohol between each cut. Prune any damaged leaves as well.
Clean the inside and outside of the pot thoroughly with soap and water, then fill it with fresh, new potting soil (throw away the old soil). Add more perlite to the soil to increase drainage. Consider switching to a terracotta pot with a drainage hole if your plant is not already in one. Pots with drainage holes help remove excess water.
Prune the damaged, yellow or brown leaves and plant in the new soil. Keep the pot in an area with bright, indirect sun so that it dries quickly and reduce your watering frequency. Do not mist the plant during this time.
To prevent over watering, always check that the top layer of soil is dry before watering by sticking your finger in or using a moisture meter.
If the damage is extensive, you can propagate the Pilea plant. Take stem and leaf cuttings from the healthy green tissue. Be sure to cut an inch or two above the damage, as rot spreads from the inside before it is fully visible on the stems. While you cannot save the entire plant, you can save a portion to regrow.
For more information, see this article: How to save a dying Pilea: complete guide
Signs of under watered Pilea
- Pale yellow leaves
- Brown, crispy-looking leaves or spots
- Curling leaves
- Wrinkled leaves
- Drooping stems
Related article: How to fix curling Pilea leaves
On the bright side, under watering is easier to fix than over watering. Stick a finger in the Pilea’s soil to see if it feels dry. If it does, give the plant a good drink.
While the brown, crispy leaves do not turn green again, the rest of the plant should perk up within a few days. You can trim off the damaged leaves to improve the plant’s appearance.
Remember Pileas need more water if they are somewhere brighter, warmer, or drier.
Bottom watering Pilea
If the Pilea is very dehydrated, you may need to bottom water the plant to increase moisture.
To bottom water the Pilea, follow these steps:
- Fill a tub with room temperature water. Place the pot in the tub and allow it to soak up water from its drainage hole for an hour.
- After an hour, poke a finger in the top inch of soil to see if water has reached the top. If the soil still feels dry, pour some water on the top.
- Once the soil is saturated, remove the water from the tub and allow the pot to drain the extra water.
- Once the water has been drained, place the pot back in its original spot.
Root bound Pilea
Also check if the Pilea is root bound. Root bound plants cause the soil to dry out faster than usual since the root ball is taking up most of the space. If it has been a while since you last repotted your Pilea and you notice roots popping out of the soil and the drainage hole, it likely needs a new container. Move the plant to a pot one size up (about two inches wider in diameter than the current pot). Avoid a pot much larger than this because the extra soil retains water and drown the roots.
Wait a week after repotting before watering again.
In summary for how often do you water Pilea…
Pilea/Chinese money plants are hardy houseplants but the one thing they cannot tolerate is frequent over watering. Many of the common problems experienced by plant owners are due to over watering. Always check that the top few inches of soil are dry before watering this houseplant. Use a well-draining soil mix and plant in a terracotta pot with a drainage hole to help prevent over watering.
In general, water about once every one to three weeks, depending on the temperature, season and light conditions of the Pilea. Different Pileas have different needs if they are in separate rooms or different sizes.
It is still possible to save an over or under watered Pilea, so do not give up hope. If the plant is over watered, prune the damage and plant in new soil. For a very damaged plant, prune the healthy growth and propagate that. If the plant is under watered, give it a good drink.
In addition to watering properly, provide your Pilea with bright, indirect sunlight and high humidity to keep it happy.
Have any other questions about watering Pilea plants that I did not answer? Let me know down below!
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