The pilea peperomioides, also known as the Chinese money plant, is a true gem. It’s playful, very pleasing to the eye, and fairly easy to care for.
Pilea plants grows like crazy and then grows little babies so you can share it with friends! Each time I look at mine, I can’t help but smile. Their quirky form is like no other plant.
Pilea plants, or Chinese money plants, slowly spread through people sharing its “pups,” and within the last several years, it has made its way here to the States. I love learning/reading the history about this plant. You can literally track it back to its exact location and the person who brought it and shared it.
Besides being an aesthetically pleasing plant, it’s also very easy to care for, and it’s quite hardy! Here are some tips for caring for the pilea:
I find that repotting a pilea can really encourage growth—giving it some wiggle room will encourage the pups to spread out. To help prevent root rot, use a pot with a drainage hole.
If you have a pot that you love and it doesn’t have a hole, these drill bits are great for drilling a hole on the bottom of an earthenware pot.
I love the trusty terracotta pot since they are utilitarian and simple. The terracotta is excellent because it is a natural clay and will let the soil breathe a bit (unlike a plastic pot).
Don’t get me wrong, you can use a plastic pot or a heavily glazed pot that has a drainage hole, but if you accidentally overwater your pilea, the terracotta will be more forgiving since it dries out a bit faster.
If you have a decorative pot that you love, simply stick your terracotta pot inside your decorative one.
I will take the terracotta pot out of the decorative one for waterings, let it drain completely, and then stick it back in the decorative pot.
To repot your pilea, pour some small stones on the bottom about 1-inch deep. The rocks aid with drainage and will help your plant not succumb to root rot. For soil, I use a quality, well draining potting mix.
Your local greenhouse should have this, or you can pick some up at your local hardware store. My mix has a bit of fine sand in it. We have some pretty humid months where I live (in southern Missouri), so the sand helps dry the plant out a bit faster.
The Chinese money plant also known as Pilea peperomioides, is a popular houseplant renowned for its coin-shaped leaves and easy care. This hardy plant is native to the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China where it grows on shady forest floors and rocks. In recent years the Chinese money plant has become a coveted houseplant thanks to its unique appearance and low maintenance needs. With the right care, these plants can grow quite large and produce many babies that can be propagated. Read on to learn everything you need to know about caring for this whimsical plant.
Getting to Know the Chinese Money Plant
The Chinese money plant is an evergreen perennial that can grow up to 15 inches tall and wide. Its leaves are smooth, shiny, and bright green, usually round or oval in shape. The leaves stack closely together on short petioles emerging from a central stem. Mature plants may lose their lower leaves, taking on a more shrub-like appearance.
This plant is nicknamed the “money plant” because its shape resembles stacks of coins. Other common names include UFO plant, pancake plant, and missionary plant. The latter refers to Norwegian missionaries who first brought the plant to Europe from China in the 1940s. Since then, it has spread through enthusiasts sharing cuttings.
There are a few variegated cultivars of Chinese money plant to choose from such as ‘Mojito’ ‘Sugar’, and ‘White Splash’, featuring splashes of white on the leaves.
Providing the Right Growing Conditions
Caring for a Chinese money plant is easy since it thrives in most home environments. Here are its basic needs:
Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal, such as an east or west-facing window. Direct sun will scorch the leaves. Rotate the plant periodically for even growth.
Temperature: Average room temperature between 60-80°F is fine. Can withstand temps down to 50°F. Avoid drafty areas.
Water: Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Water thoroughly until it drains from the pot. Take care not to overwater.
Humidity: Prefers 40-50% humidity but can tolerate average home humidity. Mist leaves occasionally or use a humidifier.
Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix amended with perlite or orchid bark. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
Fertilizer: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer. Dilute to half strength.
With the proper care, the Chinese money plant will reward you with fast, lush growth! It can double in size within a year. Read on for more detailed growing tips.
Choosing the Right Pot for Your Money Plant
Pick a pot that is one to two inches larger in diameter than the current pot when it’s time to repot. Make sure the new container has adequate drainage holes. Plastic, ceramic, and terra cotta pots all work well. If using terra cotta, you may need to water more often as terra cotta absorbs moisture from the soil.
Create good drainage by placing 1 inch of small rocks or pebbles at the bottom of the pot. Then fill the remainder of the pot with a quality potting mix amended with perlite or orchid bark at a ratio of 5:1. The gritty amendments help aerate the soil and prevent sogginess.
Watering Your Chinese Money Plant
The Chinese money plant prefers lightly moist soil but takes well to drying out slightly between waterings. The biggest danger is overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out before watering again. The leaves will droop slightly when the plant needs water.
Water thoroughly until it drains from the drainage holes, then empty any water that collects in the saucer. This ensures the plant only absorbs the amount of water it needs. In summer, you may need to water 2-3 times per week. In winter, scale back to once a week or less. Get to know your plant’s needs!
How to Fertilize Your Money Plant
To keep your Chinese money plant growing vigorously, fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Avoid overfertilizing. When growth slows in fall and winter, stop fertilizing altogether until spring.
If repotting in fresh soil, hold off on fertilizer for 2-3 months until the plant adjusts. Slow release fertilizer pellets can be incorporated into the soil at repotting time for a steady feed over several months.
Propagating Your Chinese Money Plant
One of the charms of Pilea peperomioides is how easily it propagates! You can generate many new plants from just one by using its babies, cuttings, or leaves. Here are some propagation methods:
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Remove baby plants or “pups” growing next to the mother plant. Replant once they have a few leaves.
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Take stem cuttings from the main plant. Root in water or moist soil.
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Remove an entire leaf with a bit of stem and root in water.
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Plant a single leaf cutting in moist soil. Lower success rate.
Keeping the cuttings humid, either with a plastic bag or propagation dome, helps them root faster. Once rooted and growing, the babies can be repotted.
Troubleshooting Common Chinese Money Plant Problems
Here are some common issues you may encounter with your Pilea:
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Yellow leaves: Usually caused by overwatering. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Curling leaves: Not enough light or humidity. Increase light exposure and mist leaves.
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Leaf drop: Low humidity. Increase humidity levels with misting or a humidifier.
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Brown leaf tips: Low humidity. Try increasing humidity.
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Leggy growth: Insufficient light. Provide brighter, indirect light. Rotate plant periodically.
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Few new leaves: Time to fertilize. Apply balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
With the right care, the coin-shaped Chinese money plant will thrive indoors for years, producing numerous babies to share with friends and family! Its whimsical foliage and easygoing nature make it a delightful addition to any indoor plant collection.
How Much Water Do Pilea Plants Need?
You have to water your pilea moderately, but do not overwater it. They like to dry out in-between waterings and they don’t like to stay soggy. I stick my finger in the dirt and lift the pot to see if it still feels heavy from the last watering.
If it feels dry to the touch, then I water it again. Let it dry out between waterings but be sure that it doesn’t get bone dry (although it is quite hardy and can handle it). I water mine once a week.
If I check the plant and it still feels moist, I’ll wait a couple more days and check again. The other day, a friend texted me a picture of her pilea which was drooping quite a bit. We came to the conclusion that it needed to be watered. It had dried out a bit too long!
The plant will tell you what it needs and when it needs it, so just keep a watchful eye. I asked a local greenhouse about the pilea and watering and they said one of the only ways to kill it is by overwatering.
When you water your pilea, never let it sit in water. Once you’ve watered it, make sure that you empty the excess water that catches in your bottom dish. If the dirt stays wet/soggy for too long, then the roots actually rot, which can likely lead to the death of the plant.
I am prone to overwatering, and it has taken me a good bit to rein in my need to “nurture” (aka overwater) the plant.
Pilea peperomioides – Complete Care – Houseplant Basics – How to Grow Well (Chinese Money Plant)
FAQ
Should I put a coin in my Chinese Money Plant?
The symbolism behind the Chinese money plant is simple. Place a coin in the soil with your Chinese money plant. It will spontaneously start to attract wealth.
How to care for Pilea Chinese Money Plant?
- Place Chinese money plant in a spot where it will get a lot of bright, indirect light.
- Prepare moist but well-draining soil.
- Water thoroughly once the soil has dried out.
- Maintain room temperature and average humidity.
- Rotate the plant occasionally so that it does not become lopsided.
What does an unhealthy Chinese Money Plant look like?
While discolored, mushy roots are a sure sign your plant has developed this disease, they are other signs! Yellow leaves, wilting leaves, and generally unhealthy-looking plants may all indicate root rot. If you know your plant is infected, repot it in fresh potting soil and decrease the amount you water.