Pilea peperomioides, also known as the Chinese money plant, is a popular houseplant with round, green leaves that is easy to care for. Pilea leaves curling is a common problem many plant owners face and can be due to several reasons.
Drooping and curling leaves will resolve if the underlying problem is corrected. However, it is not always clear what the exact problem is. Continue reading to learn the different reasons why Pilea leaves curl, and what to do to fix each one.
Check out this complete guide to Pilea care for more information about how to care for this houseplant.
Types of curling leaves
The direction of the leaf curl can help determine the cause:
- Leaves curling inwards: This is usually due to hot temperatures, nutrient deficiency, or under watering. The leaves will be in a cup shape.
- Leaves curling outwards: This is usually due to low light or over watering. The leaves will be in a dome shape.
If your Pilea’s leaves are curling inwards and outwards, that means there are multiple issues that need to be resolved.
New leaves curling
It is important to remember that new leaves are often curled and will flatten out over time. This is completely normal and nothing has to be done about this.
1. Pilea leaves curling due to over watering
One of the most common causes of Pilea leaves curling is over watering. Pilea prefer for their soil to dry out between watering. Watering too frequently can lead to curling, droopy leaves and eventually root rot.
If your Pilea leaves are curling, turning yellow, and falling off, over watering is the likely cause.
If you suspect you over watered your Chinese money plant, allow the soil to dry out and keep the plant somewhere with good air circulation. After a week or two, check that the top layer of soil is dry before watering again.
In general, water once a week but adjust the frequency based on your home’s environment. Keep in mind that Pilea in cooler, low-light environments require less frequent watering than those in warmer, brighter environments.
Learn more about how to properly water your houseplant with this Pilea watering guide
Choosing the right soil and pot
Even if you are watering appropriately, you can continue to have problems if the chosen soil and pot do not provide adequate drainage for the plant.
Choosing a well-draining soil is important to ensuring excess water drains away quickly instead of soaking the roots. Add perlite into peat moss to make a good soil mix for your Pilea.
When choosing a pot, a terracotta one with a drainage hole is a good option so that the excess water can easily drain out. After watering, dump out the water that collected in the saucer so the roots do not stay wet.
Make sure the pot is an appropriate size for the plant- if it is too large, the excess soil retains water and promotes rot.
Related article: Why is my Pilea Dropping Leaves?
2. Pilea leaves curling due to improper light
Pilea prefer medium sunlight. Direct sunlight leads to curling leaves and leaf burn as the plant tries to shield itself from the sun.
Move your Pilea farther away from the window if it is receiving direct sunlight or cover the window with sheer blinds. North, east or west windows are better as their light is not as harsh as a south facing window’s.
On the other hand, complete shade also leads to Pilea leaves curling, so it is important to maintain a balance. In low light, the leaves curl outwards to expose more surface area for photosynthesis. If your Pilea has been in the shade, move it somewhere closer to the window so that it can receive bright, indirect sun.
Related article: How to Save a Dying Pilea: Complete Guide
3. Pilea leaves curling due to dry air
Pilea are fond of humid conditions and dry air can lead to curling leaves. Dry air is especially likely as the cause of curling leaves if the plant also has brown, crispy leaf edges.
Increase the humidity with any of the following techniques:
- Place a humidifier nearby.
- Fill a tray with pebbles and water. Place the pot on top of the pebbles (it should not be touching the water directly).
- Mist the surrounding air with a spray bottle.
- Avoid placing the plant near heater vents because the surrounding air is especially dry.
4. Pilea leaves curling due to heat
Pilea leaves curl inwards in warm weather because there is increased water loss.
Temperatures above 80 °F can lead to curling leaves. Move your Pilea to a cooler room that is well-ventilated if the Pilea is receiving too much heat.
To avoid leaf curling, keep your Pilea in temperatures from (65 to 75 °F or 18 to 24 °C). Avoid suddenly moving your Pilea from warm areas to cold areas, or vice versa as that could lead to plant shock.
Learn more about plant shock here
Especially do not keep your Pilea next to heater or AC vents.
5. Pilea leaves curling due to pests
Common houseplant pests, such as mealy bugs, spider mites or aphids, suck the plant sap and distort it’s shape. This leads to curling, droopy leaves. Closely examine the houseplant for any signs of pests. When checking, pay special attention to the underside of the leaves as insects often hide there. If you spot pests, quarantine the Pilea so the infestation does not spread.
Spray the plant with insecticidal soap, diluted neem oil, or rubbing alcohol. Repeat every three to four days until the infestation is gone (it may take several weeks).
6. Pilea leaves curling due to nutrient deficiency
A lack of important nutrients, such as nitrogen, can lead to curling and yellow leaves. Fertilize your Pilea once a month from April to September with a general houseplant fertilizer to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
If you have been fertilizing once a month, nutrient deficiency is unlikely to be the culprit. Do not fertilize more often than this as it could lead to salt buildup and fertilizer burn.
Also read: Why are my Pilea Leaves Dropping?
7. Pilea leaves curling due to root overcrowding
If it has been a while since you last repotted your plant, root crowding may be causing the curling leaves, especially if you see roots poking out of the soil or drainage hole.
Gently remove the plant from the pot and check the roots. If the Pilea is root bound, plant it in a pot 1 to 2 inches larger than the current one. Loosen up the roots gently and add fresh, well-draining soil.
Pilea Care Summary
Pilea’s ideal conditions are summarized below:
| Sunlight | Medium, filtered sunlight |
| Water | Once a week |
| Soil | Well-draining, porous soil |
| Temperature | Room temperature (65 to 75 °F or 18 to 24 °C) |
| Humidity | Medium to high humidity |
In summary for Pilea leaves curling…
Pilea leaves curling may be due to several reasons including:
- Over watering– this is especially likely if the leaves are also turning yellow and falling off. Allow the plant to dry out and ensure it is planted in well-draining soil.
- Improper light– ensure your plant is receiving medium, filtered light. Too much or too little light leads to curling leaves.
- Dry air– Pilea are fond of humidity. Move your Chinese money plant away from any heaters or AC vents and increase the surrounding humidity to keep the plant happy.
- Heat– High temperatures also lead to curling leaves. Keep the Pilea in temperatures from 65 to 75 °F, and avoid temperatures above 80 °F.
- Pests– insects that suck on the sap of houseplants distort the leaf shape. Monitor your houseplant frequently for signs of pests and if detected, follow the above steps to remove them.
- Nutrient deficiency– yellow, curling leaves may be due to nitrogen deficiency. Fertilize once a month with a dilute fertilizer during the spring to summer months.
- Root overcrowding– if you have not repotted your Chinese money plant in a while, it’s curly leaves may be due to root overcrowding. Move the plant to a slightly larger pot.
Remember, if only the new growth is curling, this is normal and the leaves straighten out as they age.
Fortunately, Pilea are easy-going plants and are able to bounce back if the original problem is solved. If you are not sure what is causing the curled leaves, start off with small adjustments (watering less often, adjusting the light, examining frequently for pests) and see if the plant improves.
Have any more questions about Pilea leaves curling that I did not answer? Let me know in the comments below!
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How to Save a Dying Pilea: Complete Guide
