The circular leaves are probably the most impressive feature of the Pilea. But what if the plant loses this of all things? We will explain possible causes and care errors and provide helpful tips for treatment and prevention.
Why is my UFO plant losing leaves?
If a UFO plant loses leaves, the causes can be the wrong location, too dry substrate or incorrect watering behavior. Check the site conditions and adjust care accordingly to get the plant back to he alth.
Causes
Although the UFO plant is one of the easy-care houseplants, certain care errors lead to leaf loss. We present the three most common grievances to you below.
Wrong location
UFO plants love sunny, warm locations. If you choose a place that is too dark, the plants will produce too little energy due to the lack of light, which is important for photosynthesis. The undersupply of glucose causes leaf loss.
Dry substrate
Initially the leaves take on a yellow color, gradually wither or hang limply on the shoots. A short time later the leaves fall off completely. These symptoms indicate a substrate that is too dry. Fortunately, the cause is quickly remedied: pot your Pilea in fresh potting soil (€10.00 on Amazon) and make sure you water it regularly.
Incorrect watering behavior
But be careful, don't be too generous when watering. Waterlogging also causes leaf loss. Curling leaves are a clear sign that the soil is too wet. The leaves don't even turn yellow or brown, but fall off even when green. Waterlogging causes root rot on the pilea. If the underground part of the plant dies, the leaves can no longer be adequately supplied with nutrients. Dropping the leaves is the plant's only way to keep at least the shoots alive.
Illnesses as a cause?
If the UFO plant loses its leaves, there is no need to worry. The plant is considered extremely resistant to disease. Only spider mites or the red spider like to settle on the houseplant. However, they do not cause much damage to the Pilea, which results in leaf loss. It is better to check whether you are caring for your houseplant appropriately.
Tip
If your UFO plant has lost a lot of leaves due to a care error, it is worth cutting back the long shoots. Although the Pilea initially loses its visual appeal, a rejuvenating cut stimulates its growth. Look forward to densely branched growth in the coming months.
