Pilea Concern

by Kristen
(Cincinnati, OH)

I purchased this little pilea a week ago. Since then, the leaves have started to drop. The leaves, and all but 2 of the stems are still firm, but they are not as perky as they were when I got it.

I repotted and watered it the day I got it, and have not watered it since. The soil still feels moist. The pot has good drainage. I am trying to figure out if it is a light issue, or if the little guy is still in shock and adjusting to its new home. I have 2 places it could go, neither are directly in front of a window.

Option A: on a wall with a east wind & a north window in the room
Option B: in a corner between a south window & a west window

I had a really hard time finding this, so I want to get ahead of any problems! The picture were taken on a cloudy day.

Comments for Pilea Concern

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Jun 30, 2020

Cute!
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

What a cute plant - it looks like little umbrellas. I've never grown this one before, but it looks like Pilea peperomioides, or the Pilea that looks like Peperomia. It also goes by the name of Chinese money plant.

I think your best option for where to grow it is in the south/west exposure, which will be bright but not direct sunlight (which they don't like).

This blog has some good details on the kind of conditions they like. One of the things that it says there is not to overwater it, even if it looks like it's drooping. My personal feeling about it is that most likely it was growing in a warm, humid, bright greenhouse, and now it's got to adjust to your conditions.

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