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Check these first
- Inspect the leaves for fuzzy growth or dark rings.
- Check if the spots are crusty or soft.
- Verify your water source.
Likely causes
Fungal Leaf Spot
PossibleHow to tell: You will see small brown or black circles with yellow halos on the foliage. This happens when leaves stay wet for too long.
What to do: Remove the affected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid misting the leaves directly.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Small white or crusty spots appear on the leaf surface. This is caused by salts or minerals in your tap water.
What to do: Switch to filtered or distilled water for your next few waterings. Gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove existing mineral deposits.
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Worry if the spots are spreading rapidly or turning into mushy patches. A single small spot is often just a minor reaction to a splash of water.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the leaves dry when watering and ensure your plant sits in a spot with good airflow.
Chinese Money Plant: spots? 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I use tap water for my Pilea?
- Most Pileas handle tap water fine, but if you see white spots, your water might be too hard. Try letting the water sit out overnight or use filtered water.
- Should I cut off spotted leaves?
- Yes, it is best to remove them to keep the plant looking tidy and prevent potential fungal issues from spreading. Use clean scissors to snip the stem near the main stalk.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Chinese Money Plant
- Why is my Chinese Money Plant rotting at the base?
- Why is my Chinese Money Plant dropping its leaves?
- Why is my Chinese Money Plant growing so tall and leggy?
- Why are my Pilea's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Pilea drooping?
- Why are my Pilea's leaf tips turning brown?
- Are there bugs on my Pilea?
- Why are my Pilea leaves curling?
Back to the Chinese Money Plant guide
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.