Hi Rita

Thank you for reaching out to the UVM Extension Master Gardener Program with your question! I am really sorry to hear your Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) appears to be in a state of dormancy (which is typical for wintertime) but not for the past three years. Let’s hope I can provide you with some useful tips to put this plant into hyperdrive and get it in a growth spurt this spring.

And thank you so very much for providing very useful photographs for me to use as a starting place!

When I see a leggy Pilea, it tells me insufficient lighting is the first place to start. I realize you have the plant near a window, but I’m not certain which direction that window is facing. These plants prefer to be set back from a South facing window (so they don’t get sunburn during the hottest part of the day) or set in a West window with just a little bit of set back or placed directly in an East facing window for maximum exposure. They need that sunshine to grow and thrive! 

The other thing I noticed was the white growth on the soil (please correct me if I am wrong), which could indicate a type of fungi (saprophytic) growth. The fungi itself is not harmful, but it is an indicator of overwatering. We can correct this by allowing the soil to dry out and improve ventilation around the plant (I use ceiling and floor fans because I have an excess of houseplants). The goal here is to prevent root rot. Allow the soil to dry completely and then you might want to wait another day, or two. 

Once spring comes around, I would repot the plant with fresh “chunky” soil mix. A houseplant potting mix that has really good drainage (2 parts potting soil mixed with 1 part perlite) to lighten the soil. This is a great easy recipe to start with. You can add some orchid mix or plant charcoal if you have it handy (but don’t make it more than ¼ of your mix). This will all add up to lots of good soil aeration and less compaction. 

When repotting, check the root system. Pilea don’t prefer large pots as their root systems are relatively small. You may opt for a smaller pot to replant it in. 

Next you can start fertilizing again in spring through fall (and stop for the winter months) as this will surely kick your Pilea into hyper growth! 

What to do right now -

Since winter is upon us and this is the dormancy time for Pilea, be very careful not to overwater. If anything, underwatering would be a good thing. But I would find a brighter window for the plant now. And you may find when the plant has more sunshine you may have to water more often as it perks up. 

And if you can – get out of the weekly watering habit and only water when it’s absolutely necessary. I have over 120 houseplants and I don’t have a plant watering schedule. I have cactus that get watering every 3-4 weeks and orchids and coffee trees that get watered every 2-1/2 week. Listen to the plant – it will tell you when it’s time to be watered. Pilea leaves will start to droop. Then water away! 

And lastly, don’t forget to keep your Pilea warm and out of cold drafts. These plants prefer to growing in 60-75 degrees F. 

For now, patience and some additional green thumb love will get this Pilea going again! 

I do hope this information is useful.

Amazing fast response, thank you!