Whether you’re a first-time owner or a seasoned plant mom/dad, it definitely pays to know the common problems with Chinese Money Plant before you bring one home.
Pilea peperomioides or the Chinese Money Plant (aka UFO plant) is typically a hardy species, but as with any other living thing on Earth, it may suffer some problems from time to time. Most of the common issues that afflict the Chinese Money Plant are pretty simple to deal with, only that you need to recognize them early.
The Chinese Money Plant is popular for its beautiful, round, dark green leaves. So, if your precious CMP is dropping more leaves than usual (“usual” as in natural aging), we totally understand why you’re worried.
As mentioned, your CMP, or any plant for that matter, will lose or drop some of its older leaves because that’s part of its natural lifecycle. Don’t freak out when you see one or two leaves have fallen off at a time, that’s fine. But your concern is valid when more leaves are dropping at a faster rate.
Chinese money plant, also known as Pilea peperomioides, is an incredibly popular houseplant Its coin-shaped, lush green leaves make it a standout in any indoor garden However, those leaves can sometimes develop unsightly brown spots.
If you notice brown splotches marring your plant’s foliage, don’t panic. While brown spots are not ideal, the causes are generally easily addressed. This article will cover the most common reasons Chinese money plants get brown spots and what you can do to fix the issue.
What Causes Brown Spots on Chinese Money Plants?
There are three main culprits when it comes to brown spotting on Pilea peperomioides
- Sunburn
- Pest damage
- Fertilizer burn
Let’s look at each of these in more detail.
Sunburn
Chinese money plants prefer bright, indirect light. While they can tolerate some direct sun, too much intense light can scorch their leaves. This shows up as brown or yellow splotches on the parts of the plant facing the light source.
The spots start small but can spread and darken over time. They may eventually kill portions of the leaf. The affected areas will be crispy or dried out in texture.
To prevent sunburn, keep your Pilea out of direct afternoon sun. An east or west facing window is ideal. Filter bright light by using a sheer curtain. Move the plant back if it shows any signs of sun stress.
Unfortunately, there is no way to remove sunburn spots once they form. You’ll have to prune damaged leaves to keep your plant looking its best. Just be sure to correct the light exposure for new growth.
Pest Damage
Another common reason for brown spots on Chinese money plants is pest infestation. Sap sucking bugs like mealybugs and scale insert their mouthparts into leaves and feed on plant fluids.
This damaged area first appears yellow, then browns. The spots start small but can increase in size and number as the bugs multiply. They will be random in placement, unlike the uniform sunburn patterns.
Check leaf undersides and stems carefully for white fuzzy mealybugs or bumpy brown scale covers. Other signs of their presence are sticky honeydew and sooty mold. Treat any pests you find with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays.
With prompt treatment, your plant can recover fully. The existing damaged leaves will not heal, so remove them. Keep spraying every 5-7 days until all signs of bugs are gone.
Fertilizer Burn
Overzealous fertilizing can also cause brown spots on Pilea peperomioides. If the mineral salts in fertilizers build up too much, they essentially burn the plant’s tissues. This chemical damage shows as brown splotches on the leaves.
Avoid this issue by using balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer sparingly. These plants only need feeding every 4-6 weeks in the spring and summer when actively growing. Let the soil dry between waterings to prevent salt accumulation.
Leaf tips and margins may also brown if the plant is underfertilized. But this browning is more uniform and gradual compared to fertilizer burn spots.
How to Treat Brown Spots on Chinese Money Plants
Once you’ve diagnosed the cause of brown spots, treating them is fairly straightforward:
- Adjust care to prevent more damage
- Prune away affected leaves
- Monitor new growth
Fix any environmental issues like light levels or watering habits. Treat pests if they are present. Then, remove damaged foliage to keep your plant looking its best.
Pilea peperomioides easily generates new leaves, so pruning promotes an attractive shape. Just be careful not to overprune. Take off only leaves that are more than 50% affected or no longer functional.
Keep watching your plant to ensure fresh leaves grow in happy and spot-free. As long as you address the underlying problem, new growth should be much improved. With time and vigilance, your Pilea will return to perfect health.
When to Worry About Brown Spots
In most cases, a few brown spots are just an aesthetic issue rather than a health concern. But there are certain circumstances where brown spots indicate a serious underlying problem:
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If many leaves rapidly develop brown splotches, accompanied by leaf drop, it may signal advanced root rot from overwatering. This requires urgent action to treat and repot the plant.
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Spots that rapidly darken and spread across most of the leaf surface could mean a severe pest infestation or bacterial/fungal leaf disease. Inspect closely and treat accordingly.
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Brown spots along with stunted growth and leaf curling or wilting may indicate a nutrient deficiency. This requires correction of fertilization practices.
Monitor closely for any signs of declining health. Catch issues early before major leaf damage occurs. When in doubt, isolate and observe the plant to determine if the spots are still spreading.
How to Prevent Brown Spots on Chinese Money Plants
Prevention is always better than dealing with brown spots after they form. Here are some good general care tips to keep your Pilea peperomioides spot-free:
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Provide bright, indirect light from an east or west window. Filter intense afternoon sun.
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Water thoroughly only when the top inch of soil is dry. Dump out excess water in the saucer.
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Use a well-draining potting mix and pot with drainage holes.
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Feed with balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during spring through fall.
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Monitor closely for pests like mealybugs and scale. Isolate new plants before introducing.
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Keep leaves dry when watering and allow time for evaporation after. Increase air circulation.
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Repot into fresh soil every 2-3 years as needed. Prune off any damaged leaves.
With the right care, your Chinese money plant will thrive and add beauty to your indoor garden without frustrating spots. But even if some do occur, rest assured you now know how to get those gorgeous leaves back to flawless green again.
Brown Spots on Leaves
Like the other common problems with the Chinese Money Plant, brown spots could mean many different things. Note that we’re talking about brown splotches that suddenly appear on the leaves and not general browning and leaf death. These are common causes of brown spots on Pilea leaves:
- Overfertilization. This leads to fertilizer burn, which may appear as brown splotches on your Pilea’s leaves. Stay within the recommended dose of fertilizer to avoid the problem. If you’ve just repotted your Chinese Money Plant, dilute the fertilizer before adding it to the soil.
- Sunburn. Pilea naturally thrives in bright light but not direct sunlight. Overexposure to sunlight, especially when direct, may lead to the appearance of both yellow spots and brown patches on the leaves.
- Cold. The temperature during winter may be too low, especially if your Chinese money plant sits right next to a drafty. Scarring on the leaves is a sign of cold damage. Be sure to check the temperature if you start noticing elevated, brownish lesions.
- Pests. Brown patches on your Chinese Money Plant’s leaves could also result from pests. Pests that feed on sap, like mealybugs, harm the leaves. They leave spots that typically start as yellow spots and then brown. Compared to the brown splotches caused by sunburn, spots from pests are usually much smaller.
Pilea Leaf Drop and Underwatering
Underwatering also causes leaf drop. This is the plants way to survive by conserving the moisture in the soil. But leaf drop due to overwatering is still more likely than underwatering. Other factors like nutrient deficiency and inadequate sunlight may also contribute to leaf drop.
If you suspect your Chinese Money Plant suffers from leaf drop and root rot due to overwatering, you must stop watering it until the soil dries out.
Sometimes, you may need to remove it from its pot to trim the rotten roots, including the dying leaves. Place it on a baking rack so that it airs out more quickly. You can return it to the old pot after punching more holes for better drainage. But if fungi exist, you must put your Pilea in a new pot and replace the soil.
Curling leaves can be caused by various factors, with the direction and shape indicating the source of the problem.
Sometimes, new leaves will appear slightly curled before flattening out as they mature. If the curling only affects fresh leaves, there is no need for concern.
5 Money tree plant Problems & Solutions
FAQ
How to treat brown spots on money plant leaves?
Overwatering can contribute to the conditions that cause dark spots, as it increases humidity and fosters fungal growth. Should I remove leaves with dark spots from my Money tree? Yes, pruning affected leaves can help prevent the spread of the disease and improve plant health.
How do you fix brown spots on plant leaves?
If you see brown or yellow spots that are sunken and growing in size over time, this could be something called anthracnose, a type of fungus. It’s not usually harmful, just unsightly. Solution: Isolate your plant and cut off affected leaves. You’ll probably need to use a fungicide to eliminate the problem.
What are the dots on my Chinese money plant?
White spots on pore of the leaf: This is minerals that are being secreted out of the leaf – this will often happen if you use tap water to water your plant.
How to treat Chinese money plant black spots on leaves?
How to Treat Black blotch Disease on Chinese money plant? Pruning: Regular pruning of infected leaves reduces the disease’s spread. Sanitation: Clean up fallen leaves and dispose of the diseased foliage to prevent fungal spores buildup. Fungicides: Apply a fungicide that’s labeled for Black Spot on Chinese money plant.