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Chinese Money Plant · Pilea involucrata

Are there bugs on my Pilea?

It is less common for Pilea plants to get pests, but they can occasionally attract sap suckers if they are stressed or near other infested plants. Check the undersides of your leaves for tiny hitchhikers.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Look closely at the undersides of the leaves.
  2. Check the joints where leaves meet the main stem.
  3. Look for fine webbing.

Likely causes

  1. Spider Mites

    Possible

    How to tell: You might see tiny webbing between the leaf stems or small yellow stippling on the leaves. These pests thrive in dry, warm indoor air.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Increase humidity around the plant and spray with neem oil once a week for 3 weeks.

  2. Mealybugs

    Possible

    How to tell: Look for white, cottony masses hiding in the crevices where the leaf meets the stem. They suck sap and weaken the plant over time.

    What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly onto the white masses. Repeat this every few days until you no longer see any bugs.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your chinese money plant

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Take action as soon as you see a single bug, as they multiply quickly. If the plant is covered in webs or losing many leaves, it is a serious infestation.

Stopping it coming back

Inspect new plants before bringing them home and wipe your Pilea leaves clean every month.

Chinese Money Plant: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your chinese money plant and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Where did these bugs come from?
Pests often hitch a ride on new plants or enter through open windows. They are opportunistic and look for stressed plants to colonize.
Will my other plants get bugs too?
Yes, pests spread easily between plants that are touching. Isolate your Pilea immediately until the infestation is completely cleared.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Chinese Money Plant

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This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.