Curling Chinese Money Plant?
This little guys have been the only plant that I’ve tried several times to grow, and each time they’ve all ended up dead. BUT NOT THIS ONE. This one was a gift, so I’m determined to keep it alive.
Recently he’s had quite the case of fungus gnats, so I’ve been tearing my hair out trying to deal with that issue!!
I’ve added Lava-lite No-Gnats to the pot (essentially just sand made from volcanic rock that stops the fungus gnat larvae from escaping the soil, ultimately killing them - hopefully). Since it is an extra layer I am expecting it to hold onto some moisture, but I only added it yesterday and the leaves have been curling for a few weeks now I think, with some major leaf dropping as well (compare plant profile pic to the ones here).
It is winter here in England and the temperature in my room fluctuates a lot (it was 17°C when I woke up, I turned on my heater this evening and got it up to 23°c), so maybe that’s contributing?
The humidity can fluctuate too, but doesn’t typically drop below 50%, and at the moment doesn’t get higher than 65 or 70%
I’ve also read that it could be light stress? When I first noticed the fungus gnats I moved it into the bathroom (only space without other plants) and the light levels in there are quite low, and that’s when the curling started. But it’s since been moved back into my room and the leaves are still curling. I moved it under the grow light, thinking that might be the issue
I also stopped watering for a while when I noticed the gnats. Previously I’ve been a chronic over-waterer with these plants, so I thought skipping watering for 2 weeks or so would be ok. That could have caused it as well, but again I’ve watered it since then and I still haven’t seen any improvement, and it is still slowly dropping leaves.
Urgent help here!! I really wanna keep this guy alive. There’s technically three in one pot, but they’re all in the same state and there’s even a baby popping up as well
P.S: the roots are slightly poking out of the bottom of the pot, so I do need to repot him, but was hoping to wait until spring to do that
#PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #PlantTherapy #GrowLights #ChineseMoneyPlant #Peperomia fungusgnats">#fungusgnats #PestsAndPlants #help
Recently he’s had quite the case of fungus gnats, so I’ve been tearing my hair out trying to deal with that issue!!
I’ve added Lava-lite No-Gnats to the pot (essentially just sand made from volcanic rock that stops the fungus gnat larvae from escaping the soil, ultimately killing them - hopefully). Since it is an extra layer I am expecting it to hold onto some moisture, but I only added it yesterday and the leaves have been curling for a few weeks now I think, with some major leaf dropping as well (compare plant profile pic to the ones here).
It is winter here in England and the temperature in my room fluctuates a lot (it was 17°C when I woke up, I turned on my heater this evening and got it up to 23°c), so maybe that’s contributing?
The humidity can fluctuate too, but doesn’t typically drop below 50%, and at the moment doesn’t get higher than 65 or 70%
I’ve also read that it could be light stress? When I first noticed the fungus gnats I moved it into the bathroom (only space without other plants) and the light levels in there are quite low, and that’s when the curling started. But it’s since been moved back into my room and the leaves are still curling. I moved it under the grow light, thinking that might be the issue
I also stopped watering for a while when I noticed the gnats. Previously I’ve been a chronic over-waterer with these plants, so I thought skipping watering for 2 weeks or so would be ok. That could have caused it as well, but again I’ve watered it since then and I still haven’t seen any improvement, and it is still slowly dropping leaves.
Urgent help here!! I really wanna keep this guy alive. There’s technically three in one pot, but they’re all in the same state and there’s even a baby popping up as well
P.S: the roots are slightly poking out of the bottom of the pot, so I do need to repot him, but was hoping to wait until spring to do that
#PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #PlantTherapy #GrowLights #ChineseMoneyPlant #Peperomia fungusgnats">#fungusgnats #PestsAndPlants #help
10ft to light, indirect
5” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 week ago
5
I used to have similiar issues. I learned that downward curling is usually an overwatering issue. The fact that you have been battling fungus gnats may support that. Evaluate your watering habits. I would bottom water this guy letting the top soil dry out some. Let is sit in filtered, distilled, or rain water for 10-15 minutes. A little roots sticking out shouldnt be a problem. I think these are one of those plants that likes being a little root bound and do well in smaller pots. If its not sticking out a lot, I'd probably wait till Spring and then go up 1 pot size. I hope this helps.
@PiousWaterfern I can’t really see anything with that lighting. Is it full spectrum? Different colored lights can help with difference stages of growth but I’m wondering if your plant is light starved. But again, I can’t see anything with that purple! 🤷🏼♀️ here is a good podcast episode on dealing with fungus gnats! They can be gone with diligence
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XkR0Xo5G2SOo2Be1PMJVE?si=IvQQ68qFQ4uLWPZHFk5jZA
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XkR0Xo5G2SOo2Be1PMJVE?si=IvQQ68qFQ4uLWPZHFk5jZA
@DreamMachine not full spectrum unfortunately! I only have blue/red grow lights available to me, but I do know that full spectrum is ideal. They get decent light during day, but during winter when the sun sets at like 4pm this is the best I can offer these guys unfortunately. Thanks for the pod link!
@PiousWaterfern Thank you 🙏🏼 for responding, as it let me read back over my comment, and I’m wincing a bit because it’s not as helpful as I like to be. 😖 Please allow me a do-over? Hopefully we can at least narrow it down and get a better idea of the cause for you, if you don’t mind answering a lot of questions 📝
Is this a pilea peperomioides? Are the leaves yellowing and browning before dropping, and do they crisp at all beforehand or do they get mushy? Are they primarily the older leaves, or is it leaf drop all over? (Also, is this the same way your previous plants died?)
Is it possible to take some photos, in regular lighting or daylight, without the grow light on? If so, could you also take a pic zoomed in on a leaf, and a pic of your soil?
How long have you had this plant? Is it in a nursery pot within that cache pot or does it sit in a saucer?
Do you know what the soil is made up of? Does it seem to hold moisture? Pileas dont like to have “wet feet.” How does the soil feel when you touch it, right now, and did you last water 4ish days ago like your info card says?
When do you decide it’s time to water, and how do you water (pour over the top, bottom water?) How much water? Do you know if it’s wet or dry when you water?
How many hours per day is it under your grow light? Any other light besides your grow light? Any direct sun? What direction does the closest window face and how far is it from your plant?
I’m not too concerned about the temperature and humidity levels, as this plant, if it is indeed the pilea peperomioides, usually loves temperatures between 16-24°C and regular home humidity levels are normally sufficient. I hope all these questions aren’t overwhelming, but they would really help me to understand your plants conditions and give you some recommendations! ✨🤍
Is this a pilea peperomioides? Are the leaves yellowing and browning before dropping, and do they crisp at all beforehand or do they get mushy? Are they primarily the older leaves, or is it leaf drop all over? (Also, is this the same way your previous plants died?)
Is it possible to take some photos, in regular lighting or daylight, without the grow light on? If so, could you also take a pic zoomed in on a leaf, and a pic of your soil?
How long have you had this plant? Is it in a nursery pot within that cache pot or does it sit in a saucer?
Do you know what the soil is made up of? Does it seem to hold moisture? Pileas dont like to have “wet feet.” How does the soil feel when you touch it, right now, and did you last water 4ish days ago like your info card says?
When do you decide it’s time to water, and how do you water (pour over the top, bottom water?) How much water? Do you know if it’s wet or dry when you water?
How many hours per day is it under your grow light? Any other light besides your grow light? Any direct sun? What direction does the closest window face and how far is it from your plant?
I’m not too concerned about the temperature and humidity levels, as this plant, if it is indeed the pilea peperomioides, usually loves temperatures between 16-24°C and regular home humidity levels are normally sufficient. I hope all these questions aren’t overwhelming, but they would really help me to understand your plants conditions and give you some recommendations! ✨🤍