Known as the Chinese money plant, Pilea peperomioides is one of the easiest and most beneficial houseplants to grow. Although Chinese money plants can handle some neglect, getting their care spot on really helps them to thrive. One of the primary care considerations for any houseplant is providing the best environmental conditions for the plant to thrive in your home. This article will cover everything you need to know about the temperature and humidity tolerances for Pilea peperomioides plants grown indoors.
- Pilea peperomioides Temperature & Humidity Requirements – The Essentials
- Typical Temperature & Humidity Ranges Pilea peperomioides Plants Receive in Their Native Habitats
- Signs Your Pilea peperomioides Plant is Exposed to the Wrong Temperature & Humidity Levels
- Ideal Temperature & Humidity Considerations for Pilea peperomioides Plants
- How to Boost Humidity in Your Home
- Caring for Pilea peperomioides in Spring & Summer
- Caring for Pilea peperomioides Over Winter
- Pilea peperomioides Temperature & Humidity Tolerances FAQs
- Chinese Money Plant Temperature & Humidity Requirements
Pilea peperomioides Temperature & Humidity Requirements – The Essentials
Pilea peperomioides plants can handle temperatures ranging from 60 to 85ºF (15 to 30ºC) and can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 to 55ºF (10 to 13ºC). Indoor temperatures lower than these levels will cause problems. Chinese money plants need humidity levels between 50 and 75%. Small plant humidifiers can help to provide sufficient supplemental moisture for those living in particularly dry climates.
Typical Temperature & Humidity Ranges Pilea peperomioides Plants Receive in Their Native Habitats
Pilea peperomioides plants are originally endemic to southwestern China. Chinese money plants are mainly found in southwestern areas of Sichuan province and western regions of Yunnan province. In their native range, these plants grow at altitudes ranging from 1500 to 3000 meters.
Chinese money plants grow in dry, shady temperate conditions in their native habitat. These plants seem hardy enough to survive temperatures of 32ºF (0ºC) in the wild. Sadly, wild Pilea peperomioides plants are considered to be endangered.
Because the symbolic Chinese money plants grow in temperate areas, they are well-suited to being kept as houseplants. Average household temperatures will be sufficient. Although Pilea peperomioides plants survive in dry climates, high humidity levels are beneficial when growing indoors.
Signs Your Pilea peperomioides Plant is Exposed to the Wrong Temperature & Humidity Levels
If your Pilea peperomioides plant isn’t getting the proper temperature or humidity levels, it could start having problems. Here are the main issues to look out for and how to fix them:
Brown spots on foliage
It may be too cold if you see brown spots or lesions on the leaves of your Pilea peperomioides plant. This problem occurs more in the winter if the plant is placed near a drafty window or air vent. The cold, dry air can shock the plant, resulting in brown marks. Move the Chinese money plant away from the drafty area to provide more consistent temperatures.
Curling leaves
If the round, green leaves of your Chinese money plant have started curling or evening dropping off entirely, the plant could be exposed to the wrong temperatures. Pilea peperomioides may curl their leaves in response to sudden temperature changes or drafts.
Look at where your Chinese money plant is located. If it’s near a drafty window, air vent, or radiator, move it away from the source of the draft. Pilea peperomioides plants require consistent temperatures, and drafts can cause the temperature to fluctuate.
Depressions on the foliage
If the foliage of your Pilea peperomioides plant has noticeable depressions in the middle, temperatures could be too high. Temperatures that are too hot or too cold can stress Chinese money plants.
Avoid temperatures above 85ºF (30ºC) and move the plant away from areas that are too hot. Excessively high temperatures can occur if your Chinese money plant gets bright, direct sunlight on a south-facing windowsill. Transfer the plant to east or north-facing windowsill to remedy this.
Ideal Temperature & Humidity Considerations for Pilea peperomioides Plants
The best temperature range for Pilea peperomioides plants indoors ranges from 60 to 85ºF (15 to 30ºC). Depending on your climate, these temperatures are usually found in the average home. Chinese money plants require temperatures no lower than 50 to 55ºF (10 to 13ºC).
If the temperature is cooler than this, the plant will start suffering from problems like curling leaves. Protect your Pilea peperomioides plant from temperature fluctuations as much as possible. Temperature fluctuations are often caused by hot or cold drafts from air vents, open windows, and radiators.
Chinese money plants grow best with higher humidity levels ranging from 50 to 75%. This helps encourage new growth and a healthy environment for the plant. One of the best ways to provide the required humidity for Pilea peperomioides plants is to place them in a humid bathroom.
Placing a Chinese money plant on a south-facing windowsill could expose it to excessively high temperatures in the summer. The best location for your Pilea peperomioides plant will be an east-facing window. This will provide bright, indirect morning light while protecting the plant from the intense direct afternoon sun and high temperatures.
You’ll also want to consider repotting your Pilea peperomioides every 18 months to 2 years.
How to Boost Humidity in Your Home
If your average household humidity is below the required levels for Chinese money plants, don’t panic. There are several ways to increase the humidity around your Pilea peperomioides plant.
Misting the foliage of your Chinese money plant regularly can provide a slight humidity boost. However, it’s not a perfect solution because the water evaporates pretty quickly. If you do choose to mist your Pilea peperomioides, use a spray bottle to mist the foliage every few days.
One of the most efficient ways to boost humidity around your Chinese money plant is to use a humidifier. These devices are relatively cheap and can provide extra moisture to several plants at once. Group plants with similar humidity requirements close together near a humidifier to get maximum coverage.
This helps create a microclimate around the plants. When water evaporates from the leaves, all of the plants in the group will be able to use the moisture. Place your Pilea peperomioides plant next to other humidity-loving houseplants like calatheas, monsteras, or fiddle leaf figs.
Pebble trays are another way of increasing the humidity around your Chinese money plant. As the water evaporates, it’ll help improve the humidity. However, like misting, pebble trays aren’t as effective at boosting humidity as humidifiers.
Certain areas of your home are more suitable for your Pilea peperomioides plant. Bathrooms are normally one of the more humid areas of your home, making them ideal for Chinese money plants. Whenever someone has a shower or bath, it generates steam and heat that can benefit your plant.
Use devices like thermometers or hygrometers to ensure that you’re providing the right temperature and humidity for your Chinese money plant. This will help you keep track of temperature and humidity levels and allow you to adjust to seasonal changes.
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Caring for Pilea peperomioides in Spring & Summer
It’s essential to keep a close eye on the humidity of your Chinese money plant during the spring and summer. The hotter summer temperatures should be monitored carefully to ensure it doesn’t get too hot for your Pilea peperomioides. Anything over 85ºF (30ºC) will be too hot for your plant.
Depending on your local climate, you may experience humid summers. However, for those in a more arid climate, it’ll be harder to provide high humidity for your Chinese money plant. If you aren’t using a humidifier, you’ll have to mist more frequently or keep pebble trays topped up with water.
You’ll also want to fertilize your Pilea peperomioides once per month during the spring and summer months.
For more, see our in-depth guide to watering Chinese Money Plants at home.
Caring for Pilea peperomioides Over Winter
The colder, drier winter conditions can be a problem for Pilea peperomioides plants. Drafts may also become more of a problem if you have open air vents or active radiators near your plant. Thankfully, you can take some steps to keep your Chinese money plant warm and humid during the winter.
The temperature inside your home will probably still be high enough for your Pilea peperomioides during the winter. Make sure to use a humidifier to maintain the proper humidity levels. Keep the plant somewhere safe from hot and cold drafts and keep an eye out for common pests and diseases.
Pilea peperomioides Temperature & Humidity Tolerances FAQs
What temperature is too cold for Pilea peperomioides?
Temperatures that are below 50 to 55ºF (10 to 13ºC) are too cold for Pilea peperomioides plants. Chinese money plants need warm, stable temperatures, ideally ranging from 60 to 85ºF (15 to 30ºC).
What temperature is too hot for Pilea peperomioides?
If the temperature rises above 85ºF (30ºC), it will be too hot for Pilea peperomioides plants. Although Chinese money plants like warm temperatures, excessive heat can cause problems like depressions in the foliage.
Are Pilea peperomioides heat-sensitive?
Pilea peperomioides plants can be sensitive to extreme temperature fluctuations. These houseplants require stable temperatures between 60 and 85ºF (15 to 30ºC). Drafts from windows, vents, or radiators are the most frequent cause of fluctuating temperatures.
Can I leave my Pilea peperomioides outside?
Pilea peperomioides plants can be left outside in warm climates during spring and summer. Chinese money plants are not hardy to outdoor winter temperatures that drop below 32ºF (0ºC).
How do I know if my Pilea peperomioides is healthy?
A healthy Pilea peperomioides plant will have vibrant green leaves with no brown spots or depressions on the foliage. The leaves should not be curling, which can be a sign of temperature stress. Healthy Chinese money plants will produce plenty of pups – which are essentially baby plants.
Chinese Money Plant Temperature & Humidity Requirements
Pilea peperomioides plants are extremely popular thanks to their lovely leaves and easy care requirements. Providing the right temperature and humidity levels can really help your plants to thrive. Chinese money plants need temperatures ranging from 60 to 85ºF (15 to 30ºC) and humidity levels ranging from 50 to 75%.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
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