Natural leaf aging
An occasional yellow lower leaf on a healthy Pilea is completely normal.
Diagnosis
Natural leaf aging
What's happening
The Chinese Money Plant constantly retires its oldest leaves as it pushes new coins from the crown. If only one or two of the lowest, oldest leaves are yellowing and the rest of the plant looks perky and green, nothing is wrong — it's just tidying house.
How to fix it
Pull or snip the spent leaf off at the base of its stalk if you prefer a cleaner look, and carry on with your normal care. Just keep an eye out that the yellowing stays confined to the oldest leaves and doesn't start spreading up through the newer growth.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Chinese Money Plant care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this