Chinese Money Plant Care: Easy Tips for a Thriving Pilea

Gardeners face a challenge in maintaining the health of their houseplants because many of them are hard to care for. For example, orchids need the right mix of water and light, while ferns require high humidity, which can frustrate most gardeners. However, the Chinese money plant is an easy-to-care-for option. Gardeners who prefer low-maintenance plants can choose the Chinese money plant because it grows quickly, requires little care, and spreads easily.

The Chinese money plant is known for its round leaves and simple care needs, making it a great choice for indoor gardening. It grows fast and produces many baby plants, called "pups," which can be shared with others. This is why it is often called the "friendship plant." Gardeners can also place several plants in one pot to create a decorative "bowlful" look that increases its beauty.

Additionally, the Chinese money plant is pet-safe and helps purify the air, improving indoor air quality by removing toxins. Growcycle provides useful tips to help gardeners choose healthy Chinese money plants and care for them effectively.

Botany of Chinese Money Plant

The Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides), known as the friendship plant, pancake plant, or UFO plant, is a popular houseplant from the Urticaceae family. It is native to the Yunnan Province in southern China and grows naturally on shady, rocky slopes. 

• Leaves: The plant is known for its unique, round, coin-shaped leaves that grow on long, slender stalks. The leaves are green and glossy, giving the plant a striking and tidy appearance.
• Growth Habit: A herbaceous perennial with a compact, upright growth form. Mature plants can reach about 30–50 cm (12–20 inches) in height.
• Stems: The stems are thick and fleshy, storing water and nutrients, which helps the plant tolerate brief periods of neglect.
• Flowers: While rarely blooming indoors, the Chinese money plant can produce tiny, insignificant white or pale pink flowers on thin stems in optimal conditions.
• Reproduction: The plant is well-known for its ability to propagate through pups or offshoots that grow from the base of the mother plant. These pups can be easily separated and replanted.
• Adaptations: It thrives in well-draining soil and prefers indirect light. Its succulent-like stems and leaves help it store moisture, making it somewhat drought-tolerant.

Ecological Importance

In its native environment, the Chinese money plant grows in shaded areas, stabilizing rocky soils. Indoors, it is valued for its air-purifying properties, improving the air quality of living spaces.

The plant's easy care and rapid propagation have made it a favorite among houseplant enthusiasts worldwide.

Benefits of Using Chinese Money Plant

The Chinese money plant is a popular houseplant with several benefits, such as:

• Air Purification: It can help purify the air by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen, making it a great addition to offices and homes with improved air condition.
• Rapid Growth: It has a fast-growing nature, which helps it reach its maximum size in a few years. 
• Adaptability: It thrives well in moderate light and humidity conditions, making it suitable for both bright, indirect sunlit spaces and dimly lit rooms.
• Easy Propagation: It produces offshoots that are easy to propagate, allowing gardeners to grow new plants for themselves or friends.
• Compact Size: This houseplant's typical size of 8-12 inches makes it suitable for spaces such as small apartments or terrariums. 
• Non-Toxic to Pets: It is a non-toxic pet plant, making it easy for homes with pets.
• Symbol of Prosperity: It is known for bringing luck and wealth. Hence, a healthy plant helps to make a good fortune in Chinese culture. 
• Reduce Stress: The vibrant green leaves of the Chinese money plant help reduce stress and anxiety, creating a peaceful and soothing environment that is good for mental well-being.

How to Repot Chinese Money Plant?

Repotting a Chinese money plant is an important part of its care routine. Here is a simple guide to help repot it effectively:

When to Repot?

The best time to repot a Chinese money plant is in early spring or summer when the plant is actively growing or shows signs such as roots growing out of the drainage holes, slow growth, or wilting leaves. 

However, gardeners should avoid repotting during the winter season. If water drains too quickly through the pot, the plant needs more space to thrive, so repotting is necessary. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Repotting

Here is the guide on repotting Chinese money plants. 

1. Repot the plant when roots grow through the drainage holes or emerge from the pot. 
2. Spring is the best time to repot the plant as it grows.
3. Terracotta pots are ideal because they allow the soil to breathe and dry out faster, helping reduce the risk of overwatering.
4. Plastic pots can also work if they have drainage holes.
5. Choose a new pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the previous pot. 
6. Make sure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
7. Use a well-draining potting mix and add perlite to improve drainage.
8. A mixture of perlite and plant compost also works best. 
9. Remove the plant from the current pot without causing any damage to the roots. 
10. If there are pests inside it, make sure to clean it before removing the plant. 
11. Inspect the roots for any signs of rot or damage. 
12. If they are root-bounded, make sure to tear them apart. 
13. Add some potting mix to the bottom of the new pot. 
14. Place the plant in the center and fill the sides with soil, ensuring it is at the same depth as before.
15. After repotting, water the plant well to help settle the soil around the roots.
16. Ensure the water drains out through the drainage hole.
17. After repotting, be careful not to overwater.

Challenges of Repotting

Repotting a Chinese money plant requires some care. Otherwise, it could create certain challenges:

• Transplant Shock

After repotting, the roots may get disturbed, resulting in transplant shock. To avoid this, gardeners can trim the leaves that have already declined and thoroughly water the plant. 

• Delicate Root Handling

Roots help to create water and nutrient flow into the plant, so they should be treated carefully. To do this, clean or sharp pruners are used to remove any dead or damaged roots without damaging the root system. 

• Quick Soil Dry Out

The soil of this houseplant gets dried out quickly, so it needs to be managed. For this, choose a suitable pot that is 2 inches wider in diameter. A larger or smaller pot can cause root congestion while repotting. 

How to Propagate Chinese Money Plant?

Chinese money plants are easy to propagate due to their ability to grow offshoots:

1. Remove the Mother Plant

The first step is to carefully remove the mother plant from its pot without damaging the roots or stems. 

2. Choose an Offshoot

Then, find a baby Pilea or offshoot plant growing at the base of the mother plant or edge of the pot.

3. Separate the Baby Plants or Offshoots

Next, gently pull and twist the baby plant to separate it from the mother. However, gardeners need to ensure that the roots are not damaged during this process. Hence, they can use clean pruners to cut the offshoot from the mother plant. When removing the baby Pilea, gardeners can use a clean knife and cut the stem about 3 cm below the surface.

4. Prepare a New Po

Use a small pot with a well-draining potting mix for the baby plant. Gardeners can also use a houseplant soil mix with added perlite for drainage. 

5. Plant the Baby: 

Next, Place the separated baby plant into the new pot, ensuring it is positioned at the same depth as in the original pot. This will help the cutting or separated baby plant establish roots.

6. Water the Baby Plant

Now, thoroughly Water the new plant, ensuring the soil is moist but not too wet. This will help improve plant root development. 

7. Monitor Soil Moisture

Since the smaller pot will dry out faster, check the soil regularly and water when it feels dry to the touch.

8. Continue Regular Care

Once the baby plant has rooted and established itself, proper care and attention will help it grow into a healthy, thriving plant.

Chinese Money Plant Care

Taking care of a Chinese money plant is simple, making it a favorite for beginners and experienced plant owners. Here Is a complete care guide:

Light 

The Chinese money plant thrives best in medium-to-bright or indirect light, which is easy to manage. Hence, an east or west window is best for these houseplants to grow. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves, so keeping the plant away from harsh sunlight is important. Gardeners need to rotate the plants regularly for smooth growth. 

Water 

This houseplant requires a moderate amount of water to grow well. Hence, it should be watered when the soil becomes dry. Gardeners can water the plants once a week after checking the soil condition by sticking a finger about an inch into the soil. It may need water weekly in the summer and every two weeks in the winter.

Soil 

The Chinese money plant thrives well in rich, well-draining soil. Gardeners can mix perlite into the soil to help with drainage and avoid waterlogging. For this, gardeners can consider the simple mix of 2/3 houseplant compost and 1/3 perlite, as the perlite helps the soil drain properly. Regarding pH, the soil should be between 6.0 and 7.0 to ensure optimal performance. 

Humidity

The Chinese money plant doesn't require extra humidity and can grow well in average room conditions. However, when there is dry indoor air in winter, high humidity can be required. For this, gardeners need to check the leaf edges; humidity is needed if they are in crisp shape. Gardeners can use the humidifier to increase the humidity, place the plant on a tray of pebbles with water, or mist the leaves.

Temperature 

The Chinese money plant doesn't grow well in freezing temperatures or temperatures below 33.8°F. Although a slight period of cold in winter can help it bloom, it still needs a temperature between 55.4°F and 86°F for smooth growth. It should be kept indoors at temperatures above 50°F. Gardeners need to avoid any sudden temperature changes for the plant’s health. 

Fertilizer

Proper and well balanced fertilizer is important for the growth of these money plants. Gardeners can fertilize them once a month during the spring and summer. It is better to avoid fertilizing the plant in fall and winter when it is resting. However, when the plant produces baby plants, it is also the best time to feed them. 

Tips to Care Chinese Money Plant

The Chinese money plant is a low-maintenance houseplant that thrives with a little attention and care. Here are some tips to maintain it. 

• Place the plant in an area with plenty of bright, indirect light.
• Use well-draining, moist soil to help the plant thrive.
• Water thoroughly when the soil dries out.
• Keep the plant in a room with a stable temperature and average humidity.
• Rotate the plant occasionally to grow it smoothly.
• Apply a light and all-in-one purpose fertilizer during the spring and summer months while avoiding it in fall or winter. 

Pruning Chinese Money Plant

Pruning the Chinese money plant is important to remove dead or bushier leaves. Here are a few steps to ensure the smooth pruning process:

1. Choose the Right Tools

It is important to wear gardening gloves before pruning to protect the hands. Gardeners also need to collect tools such as pruning shears, such as bonsai shears or micro-tip snips, to cut stems, although only fingers will be used for most of the work. 

2. Inspect the Plant

Now, examine the Chinese money plant closely to identify areas that need trimming, such as dead leaves, dead stems, or excessive growth.

3. Target Leggy Stems

Look for any long, spindly, or curved stems that are grown out of the pot and trim them to keep the plant balanced.

4. Cut at a Leaf Node

It is better to always cut from above a leaf node so the new growth of a plant can be started. 

5. Remove Dead or Yellow Leaves

Remove any dead or brown leaves. For this, pinch above the leaf’s stem with the fingers and remove it gently.

6. Trim Long Stems

If the plant is too tall or messy, use pruning shears to cut back the long stems. Gardeners need to cut about one-third of the stem at a 45-degree angle that is close to the main stem.

7. Use Clean Tools

It is always essential to use clean and sharp tools, such as dull blades, which can crush stems and cause diseases. Hence, ensure that pruning shears are sharp and clean to avoid damaging the plant.

Common Problems with Growing Chinese Money Plant

The Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is easy to care for, but it can face some common problems:

• One of the most common issues is yellowing leaves, which is often caused by overwatering or poor drainage. To fix this, let the soil dry out between waterings and make sure the pot has good drainage.
• Drooping leaves can occur if the plant is underwater or exposed to sudden temperature changes. To prevent this, water the plant well and keep it in a stable environment away from drafts or heat.
• If the plant's stems become long and spindly, it means it isn't getting enough light. Move it to a brighter spot with indirect sunlight and rotate it occasionally for even growth.
• Brown tips or edges on the leaves may be caused by low humidity or underwatering. To fix this, increase humidity by misting the plant, placing it near a humidifier, and watering it regularly.
• Leaf curling or wilting can also happen due to overwatering or underwatering. Check the soil moisture and water accordingly.
• If the plant’s roots rot due to overwatering, trim the rotting roots and repot the plant in fresh soil with good drainage.
• Pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs can sometimes appear on the plant and damage the leaves. Check the plant regularly for pests and remove them with a damp cloth or insecticidal soap.
• If the leaves turn greenish and droop, it could be from too much direct sunlight. Move the plant to a place with bright, indirect light.
• The plant may stretch for light if it becomes too tall or unbalanced. Prune it back and make sure it’s in a well-lit spot.

FAQs

How does exposure to direct sunlight affect the Chinese money plant?

Direct sunlight can burn Chinese money plant leaves, resulting in dry, black patches or brown spots. As this plant thrives in bright, indirect light, it is important to avoid direct sun exposure and place it in an indirect light spot.

What causes Chinese money plant leaves to drop?

Chinese money plant leaves usually drop due to overwatering, underwatering, low light, or nutrient deficiencies. The lack of light and nutrients can impact plant growth. 

What soil is best for a Chinese money plant?

A well-draining and rich soil is best for Chinese money plants. However, a soil mixture of perlite and plant compost also works best. 

The Bottom Line 

Chinese money plants are bright and easy to care for. They grow best in indirect light, humid areas, and well-drained soil. While they don’t need much attention, they need regular water and sunlight to grow well. These plants are safe for pets, making them great for homes. With the right amount of light and water, they can help clean the air around them. Growycle provides many tools and expert advice for gardeners who want to grow Chinese money plants.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Sources:

1. Gardenersworld - How to grow Pilea peperomioides

2. Wiki - Pilea peperomioides

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, where he covers the latest news, trends, and innovations in sustainable agriculture. He has a deep passion for storytelling that emphasizes ecological balance and responsible farming practices.

Before joining Growcycle, Victor worked for several agricultural and environmental publications, reporting on significant environmental issues and interviewing key figures in the sustainability sector. His work has been featured in various industry journals and online platforms.