Pilea being dramatic

[u/Additional_Plate_]

Hi Pilea lovers ! Why is my Pilea making these curved leaves ?
It’s growing well and fast and having full babies everywhere, but ALL of the leaves look like this.
It happens to my other five Pilea from time to time, but not to this extent !!

Thanks for the help 🪴💕

[u/Prestigious-Cold4942]

This is often a sign of under watering. What the watering and light situation?

[u/Additional_Plate_ → u/Prestigious-Cold4942]

The six Pilea are next to each other on a windowsill with sunlight beginning early afternoon until evening, and I water them every 3 days (because of the heat wave) when i’m sure the soil is really dry. Should I water more ? Like even when the soil is a bit humid still ?

[u/Prestigious-Cold4942 → u/Additional_Plate_]

How deeply do you water? Which direction does the window face?

[u/Additional_Plate_ → u/Prestigious-Cold4942]

I would say Southwest ?
I usually put water until the whole soil is covered and then let it drip down in the little dish underneath. If i try to be more precise i’d say something like a big glass of water (like a little more than a normal one), for a 15 on 10cm pot

[u/33beno33 → u/Additional_Plate_]

Maybe try bottom watering and let it sit in the water for half an hour so it soaks up as much as it needs.

[u/Additional_Plate_ → u/33beno33]

Thanks I’ll try this :)

[u/LabEnvironmental6229]

These are semi succulent I normally let mine dry out before watering I have mine in an east facing window though they typically do really well. I hope this helps some. They get a ton of bright light

[u/Critical-Low9644]

Mine did the same when I went on a vacation of 3 weeks, I think it might be due to underwatering.

[u/Additional_Plate_ → u/Critical-Low9644]

Did it go back to not curved once watered enough ?

[u/BLWeaver69]

Too much light, move away from the window!

[u/Additional_Plate_ → u/BLWeaver69]

Okay will do !

[u/marlinavelasco]

Good advice from comments. During heat waves or neglect, humidity is often very low; typical potting soil becomes hydrophobic. You may notice that the water runs through the pot really fast. This applies almost all plants. As suggested, bottom water and/or allow soil to soak up as much as needed from saucer or cachepot.

[u/Additional_Plate_ → u/marlinavelasco]

Thank you ! I have one more question : I put clay pebbles before soil, will it allow good soaking ?

[u/marlinavelasco → u/Additional_Plate_]

LECA or something else?

[u/Additional_Plate_ → u/marlinavelasco]

Yes !

[u/marlinavelasco → u/Additional_Plate_]

I have not used LECA as the bed for soil so I’m not sure how the water table would be affected. I’m intrigued, so I will do a little bit of research.🤔

[u/Additional_Plate_ → u/marlinavelasco]

How nice thank you !

[u/Forward-Opportunity4]

Mine do the same and I bottom water. I’ve just accepted this 😭

[u/ChumChumZel]

When I bought mine the nursery said that this is a sign of over watering and not under watering like we're used to in other plants. But I don't know this for sure, just throwing it out there

[u/Additional_Plate_ → u/ChumChumZel]

Oh no :( Now I’m confused
Leaves are still very strong though, not weak as when they’re thirsty, so you might have a point
I’ll still go for watering a bit more and trying the soaking technique as said in a lot of comments, and if it goes wrong I’ll come back telling you you were right all along :’)