Pest identification
What's eating my chinese money plant?
Fungus gnats
Signs: Tiny dark flies around the pot; larvae eat hair roots and disrupt water uptake; leaves may pale or droop unexpectedly.
Control: Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry between waterings; apply Bti drench (Mosquito Bits); use yellow sticky traps; consider adding perlite to improve drainage.
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy deposits where petioles meet the stem and in the centre of the rosette; sticky honeydew; leaves yellow.
Control: Swab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat the whole plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; repeat weekly for a month.
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale dots across leaf surfaces; fine webbing on undersides; leaves look dull and unhealthy — most common in dry, heated rooms.
Control: Increase humidity; wipe leaves with a damp cloth; apply neem oil or miticide spray every 5–7 days until clear.
Keep chinese money plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Chinese money plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my chinese money plant?
Chinese money plants are sturdy indoor houseplants but are susceptible to fungus gnats, mealybugs, and spider mites. Fungus gnats are the most common complaint because Pilea prefers moderately moist soil. Mealybugs hide at petiole bases. Spider mites appear in dry winter air. Overwatering invites most of these problems, so proper watering is the first line of defence.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on chinese money plant?
Tiny dark flies around the pot; larvae eat hair roots and disrupt water uptake; leaves may pale or droop unexpectedly. Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry between waterings; apply Bti drench (Mosquito Bits); use yellow sticky traps; consider adding perlite to improve drainage.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on chinese money plant?
White fluffy deposits where petioles meet the stem and in the centre of the rosette; sticky honeydew; leaves yellow. Swab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat the whole plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; repeat weekly for a month.
How do I get rid of spider mites on chinese money plant?
Tiny pale dots across leaf surfaces; fine webbing on undersides; leaves look dull and unhealthy — most common in dry, heated rooms. Increase humidity; wipe leaves with a damp cloth; apply neem oil or miticide spray every 5–7 days until clear.