how to take care of a pilea plant

How should you care for your pilea? Pilea need a well-draining potting soil, and a pot with drainage holes is really important. The soil needs to mostly dry out between waterings, with more watering required in warmer, hotter weather. If the leaves start to look droopy, that's a sign that the plant needs water.

How often should you water a pilea plant?

Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light.

How much sun does a pilea need?

Your Pilea will do best in a bright, indirect sunny spot in your home. Even though this plant is part of the succulent family, do not place your Pilea in direct sunlight since it will scorch the leaves.

Are pilea easy to care for?

The Pilea Peperomioides, also known as the Pilea (Pie-lee-uh), the friendship plant (or the Chinese money plant) is a true gem. It's playful, very pleasing to the eye, and fairly easy to care for. The plant grows like crazy and then grows little babies so you can share it with friends!

Why are the leaves falling off my pilea?

Your Pilea Needs More Light

Especially during the winter, Pilea might experience some leaf-drop due to low humidity levels combined with the lack of sunlight. ... If your Pilea starts to drop leaves, look for a sunnier spot, or provide artificial light.

How do I know if my pilea needs water?

If the soil for the first 2 inches is dry, but the soil further down is moist, then your Pilea does not need to be watered. If the soil for the first two inches is dry and continues to be dry past those 2 inches, then your plant does need to be watered.

Does pilea need sun?

Pilea peperomioides is a low maintenance species that thrives in a bright spot near a window, but it is best to keep the plant out of direct sunlight as too much direct sun can cause the leaves to burn.

How long do pilea plants live?

Pilea can live to be 10 years or more if given the right care and conditions. Some growers have had their Pilea for over 2 decades!

Can pilea grow in low light?

Pilea has distinct round, somewhat glossy leaves that will add vibrancy to a dark corner. This plant tends to stay small and prefers not to be in direct sunlight and can survive in a shady area.

Can you propagate pilea from a leaf?

Pilea leaf propagation - yes, you can propagate a pilea plant out of a single leaf. ➡️You need a healthy leaf. ... ➡️Even if a healthy leaf was physically knocked off, you need a tiny piece of the trunk with the petiole. Otherwise, the leaf will only grow roots and not new leaves.

Why is my pilea flowering?

– FLOWERING – It doesn't happen that often, but your Pilea can definitely bloom! If you put it in a colder spot during winter where the temperature is about 10°C/50°F (make sure there's enough light though) come spring you can see little flowers popping up.

How do you encourage pilea babies?

Thank you so much for your support!

Cut off the top half. If your plant is healthy, you can try chopping off the top. ...
Cut at least one plantlet. Cutting plantlets may stimulate growth. ...
Don't forget to feed your Pilea. ...
Do not to cover the soil with any rocks or decorative pebbles. ...
Be sure to take care of your Pilea.

How big do pilea plants get?

Pilea peperomioides grows to a height of 12 inches and leaves will be larger with less light. The perfect office co-worker, pileas thrive in artificial light. Try pilea on a windowsill where it will appreciate a low-light, dry spot. Keep the plant out of direct sun rays.

What does an overwatered plant look like?

When plants have too little water, leaves turn brown and wilt. This also occurs when plants have too much water. The biggest difference between the two is that too little water will result in your plant's leaves feeling dry and crispy to the touch while too much water results in soft and limp leaves.

How can I make my pilea grow faster?

Pilea peperomioides grow quickly if given adequate light - mine almost doubles in size every year. If you want to encourage fast growth, repot by an additional 1-2" diameter pot or be sure to fertilize regularly (full strength, as directed on the package).

Can you keep pilea in water?

Yes, and you'll probably start noticing them right away. When a plant is grown in water instead of soil, it will put a lot more energy into growing roots rather than growing leaves. So your Pilea will become root-heavy. ... Keep in mind that water doesn't have enough nutrients to sustain plant growth for too long.

Which plants should you mist?

Tropical houseplants and plants that love high-humidity—such as the Chinese Evergreen, Boston Fern, and Majesty Palm—will benefit most from misting, says Plunkett. (Zebra plants, orchids, arrowhead plants, and begonias are just a few others that love mist.)

When should I repot a pilea?

You can repot your plant any time during the year, even when it is dormant in the colder months of the year. Pileas are hardly little plants and can survive a transplant at a less ideal time of the year. However, for best results, repot your Pilea just before it starts growing again for the year in the early spring.

Does pilea like humidity?

They also enjoy humidity levels of 50 to 75%. Low humidity tends to create brown patches on the tips of plants or side of leaves. ... Make sure your Pilea plant does not live near heating vents in the winter, as the heat and low humidity will cause the plant to drop its leaves.

Should I fertilize my pilea?

Generally, feeding your Pilea once a month will help your plant to stay healthy. For your Pilea, we suggest using an all-purpose 20-20-20 fertilizer diluted to half strength. Since Pilea needs a liquid fertilizer, you may want to feed your plant when you water it.

Is my pilea dying?

Signs Your Plant is Overwatered

Pileas that have had too much water lose their deep green color and instead start to fade from pale green to yellow before the leaves eventually fall off and die. If the stems of your Pilea have become soft and all of the leaves are drooping, this is most often a sign of overwatering.

How do you get rid of pilea pups?

As soon as the Pilea babies, or pups have grown to a decent 2-3″ size, you can start removing them from the mother plant. To do this, gently dig your fingers in the soil around the baby plantlet. Feel where the root goes. Follow it about 1″ down under the soil.

How do you shape pilea?

Rotating your Pilea plant to provide even sunlight to each side is how to get the ideal, round shape. Rotating is also important to keep central stems growing tall and straight, instead of at an angle toward the light source. If your Pilea is becoming very tall, you'll need to stake it to keep it growing straight.