Pilea peperomioides care: Growing the chinese money plant

Houseplants can bring greenery and beauty to indoor spaces. However, many of these plants can be challenging for gardeners, as they require specific light conditions, temperature changes, and humidity levels. On the other hand, Pilea peperomioides offers vibrant foliage and requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

This popular houseplant can produce perfect round leaves and bright green, pad-like foliage, giving it a unique look. It grows upright and produces pale green flowers indoors, making it aesthetic for indoor spaces. However, its fast growth and ability to produce many new plants make it ideal for sharing with friends. 

Pilea peperomioides has become a favorite among plant lovers due to its beautiful, round leaves on the long stems. Growcycle provides gardeners with useful tips to ensure healthy and thriving plant growth. 

Origin and History

George Forrest first founded the Chinese money plant in Yunnan, China, in the early 1900s. In 1945, Agnar Espegren brought it to Norway, where it spread to Scandinavia and other countries. It became popular in the 1940s for its modern look and was officially named Pilea peperomioides in the 1980s.

It became even more popular in the 2010s, especially after trending on Instagram in 2017. Its unique look, easy care, and adaptability have made it a favorite worldwide, including in Europe, Australia, and the Philippines. However, it originates from the damp, rocky regions of southern China's Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.

Botany of Pilea Peperomioides

Pilea peperomioides, commonly known as the Chinese money plant, is a perennial houseplant that can double in size within a year. It is also famous for other names, such as Pancake, coin, UFO, and Friendship.

• Size: It usually grows to about 8-12 inches tall and wide, but it can grow up to 18 inches in ideal indoor conditions. 
• Stems: This plant's stems are mostly long, unbranched, and upright. They are attached at the center of the plant’s round leaves, giving them a floating look. The stems can range from greenish to dark brown, and as the plant matures, they become woody at the base.
• Leaves: This plant has glossy, round, dark green palette leaves attached at the center with too-long stems. However, these leaves have unique patterned veins with a waxy texture of around 4 inches in width. 
• Flowers: It produces small clusters of white, pink, or green flowers that bloom in spring or summer. Mostly, these flowers are on spikes and last about a month with no scent. 
• Growth Habit: Pilea Peperomioides is a favorite houseplant among busy gardeners due to its compact, bushy growth and unique coin-shaped leaves. 

Benefits of Growing Pilea Peperomioides

Growing this plant has several benefits, ranging from aesthetic appeal to health advantages. Here are some key benefits:

• Improves Air Quality: It helps remove toxins and pollutants from the air, improving indoor air quality. Hence, this air purifying quality helps clean the environment. 
• Low Maintenance: This plant is usually easy to care for and requires bright, indirect light with minimal watering, making it a great choice for new plant owners.
• Fast Growth: The Chinese money plant grows quickly and can double in size each year when provided with the right conditions. Hence, it is a perfect plant for beginners who need quick growth with low care efforts. 
• Stress Buster: This plant helps reduce stress with its calming, round leaves that look like coins, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Even when gardeners care for this plant, it provides a therapeutic and positive connection. 
• Maintain Blood Pressure: This plant's vibrant and calming leaves may help lower blood pressure indirectly by promoting relaxation and reducing stress, especially for older adults.
• Non-Toxicity: This plant's leaves, stems, and sap do not contain harmful substances, making it safe for pets and humans. Even if a small amount is accidentally eaten, it does not cause harm. 
• Aesthetic Appeal: The coin-shaped leaves with unique flowering habits make it an aesthetically appeal plant for indoor spaces, especially bedrooms.
• Symbol of Prosperity and Abundance: The coin-shaped leaves of the cactus are thought to represent wealth and abundance, making them a popular gift for housewarmings or new beginnings. Many people believe that having this plant in the home brings prosperity and financial success.

Pilea Peperomioides Care Guide

Here is the care guide to ensure the Chinese money plant stays healthy and vibrant:

1. Light

The Chinese money plant grows well in bright, indirect light, especially near an east or west-facing window. However, direct sunlight can burn its leaves, so keeping the plant away from it is best. 

While this plant can survive in lower light, it can become leggy and have smaller leaves. If it is placed in a spot with low light, like a dining room table, it may grow long, spindly stems with only a few branches. Hence, gardeners need to place it in a bright window for optimal growth. 

2. Water

This plant requires only a moderate amount of water to grow healthier. Water it only when the soil almost dries out. To check this soil condition, gardeners can tamp their fingers into the soil an inch deep to ensure it needs water. 

Removing the plant from its decorative pot before watering is important to prevent root rot. However, gardeners can also use filtered water or rainwater to address root issues. Larger plants need to let the soil dry out more, and younger ones can be watered when it is 90% dry.

3. Temperature

A temperature range between 65–75°F (16–24°C) is essential for this plant to grow well. However, keeping it away from drafts and sudden temperature changes, such as near windows or doors, is important. 

This plant can tolerate some cold in winter, but gardeners need to avoid placing it under temperatures below 50°F indoors. Although a short period of cold can help it bloom, it should not be kept in cold conditions for long.

4. Humidity 

Although the Chinese money plant prefers a 50-60% humidity range, it can still grow well in standard indoor conditions. Hence, it does not need extra humidity and can grow well without special care. However, keeping it away from dry areas like heating vents is best. 

To increase the humidity, gardeners can use multiple ways, such as

• Make a group of several plants to create a microclimate with higher humidity.
• Place the plant near a room humidifier to improve the surrounding air moisture.
• Set a tray of water and pebbles under the pot to increase humidity around the plant.
• Mist the leaves gently, but don't overdo it to avoid fungal issues. 

5. Potting Mix

Pilea peperomioides needs to be planted in well-draining soil. Regular potting soil with cactus soil works well, but gardeners can also add perlite or pumice to improve drainage. 

It is best to use peat-based or coir-based organic potting mix with a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Adding a mix of houseplant compost or orchid bark can also help keep the plant from wetting. 

6. Fertilizers

The Pilea peperomioides plant grows best when fertilized during the spring and summer. Even if the plant is actively growing leaves, gardeners can fertilize it. However, in the fall and winter, the growth of plants slows down, so there is no need to fertilize. 

It is best to fertilize the plant for 2-3 weeks with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. However, using a liquid fertilizer at half-strength is ideal. In warmer areas, it is best if gardeners increase the quantity of regular fertilization process for the yearly growth. 

How to Prune Pilea Peperomioides 

Although pruning is unnecessary for this plant to maintain its shape and healthy growth, gardeners can remove damaged leaves by following this simple guide:

Best Time to Prune

The best time to prune this plant is in early spring or during the spring and summer months when it is actively growing. Pruning at this time helps encourage healthy growth and maintains the plant's shape. 

However, if the plant becomes too large, leggy, or droopy, gardeners can prune it to give it a clean look. 

What to Prune

• Dead, yellow leaves or branches
• Disease-infected leaves
• Leggy stems
• Upper main stem
• Damaged branches and leaves

Essential Tips about Pruning Chinese Money Plant

• Spring is the best time to prune, but summer is also fine.
• Avoid cutting healthy green leaves, as this can slow down growth.
• Do not cut more than one-third of the plant at once.
• Do not remove more than 20% of the leaves at a time to keep the plant healthy.
• Wait a few weeks before pruning again if needed.

Propagate Pilea Peperomioides through Offshoots

Pilea peperomioides can produce offshoots, also known as "pups," which can be propagated to grow new plants. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to propagate Pilea through its offshoots:

• Find healthy offshoots (pups) at the base of the Chinese money plant. If there are none, wait for new ones to appear.
• Use a clean knife to cut the pup from the rhizome, the main plant.
• Prepare a small container with fresh potting soil and plant the offset.
• If propagating in water, place the offset's stem in a jar with water, ensuring only the stem is submerged, not the leaves.
• Place the water-filled jar in a bright area with indirect light.
• Change the water every few days to keep it fresh, and wait 1-2 weeks for roots to grow.
• Once the roots are about an inch long, carefully move the plant to a small pot with fresh soil.
• If there are other pups, repeat the process for each, making sure the leaves are about the size of a dime before cutting.

Problems and Solutions of Pilea Peperomioides

There are fewer problems with the Pilea Peperomioides plant, which can become a challenge for gardeners in its smooth growth. Here is the solution to these problems. 

1. Wilting Leaves 

Reason: Overwatering, improper light exposure, lack of nutrients, or poor drainage. 

Solution: 

• If people overwater the plant, stop watering it and only water it when 90% of the soil has dried out. 
• Check out the soil moisture and PH level with a PH meter.
• Move the plant to a bright, indirect light for proper sunlight exposure. 
• Fertilize the plant, if needed, to ensure the proper nutrients. 

2. Leaf Discoloration

Reason: Too much sunlight, improper watering (The reasons for this are overwatering or underwatering), low humidity, or a lack of nutrients. 

Solution: 

• Check the soil moisture and only water the plant when necessary. 
• Avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight, especially during midday.
• In case of dry weather, use a humidifier or pebble tray to increase the humidity level indoors. 
• Use a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer if the nutrient level is low.

3. Drooping Leaves 

Reason: Underwatering, root rot, low humidity, lack of proper light, and extreme temperature changes. 

Solution: 

• Do not place the plant above normal room temperature; maintain it. 
• In case of underwatering, water the plant regularly and increase the quantity for some weeks. 
• Move the plant to a bright window light spot for proper exposure to light. 

4. Root Rot 

Reason: Poor drainage and overwatering. 

Solution: 

• Remove the plant from its containers. 
• Check out the root level and other branches. 
• Now, use the clean and sharp scissors to cut out the damaged leaves and branches. 
• Then, the plant will be repotted into a new plant with good drainage holes. 

5. Brown Patches 

Reason: Overwatering

Solution: 

• Make sure that the soil between watering dries out before the next watering schedule. 
• Regularly check the soil moisture level by tamping the finger an inch deep.
• Avoid watering the plant until it dries out if the soil is soggy or wet. 

6. Stunted Growth

Reason: Lack of nutrients, improper pot size, poor drainage, or pest attack. 

Solution: 

• Check out the plant regularly for pest attacks and use anti-insecticidal soap or neem oil. 
• Use a general-purpose fertilizer regularly for proper nutrient uptake. 
• Change the pot and choose a new pot slightly larger than the previous pot with drainage holes. 

FAQs 

Can a Chinese Money Plant bloom?

Yes, a Chinese money plant can bloom, but it is relatively uncommon indoors. When conditions are just right, the plant can produce tiny, delicate flowers on thin stalks.

Can a Chinese Money Plant survive in low light?

A Chinese money plant can survive in low light but won't grow well. It may become leggy, have fewer offshoots, and have smaller leaves. Hence, it is best to keep the plant in bright, indirect light for optimal growth.

What is the impact of low humidity on the Chinese Money plant?

It prefers moderate humidity, around 40-60%. While it can handle average room humidity, low humidity can cause its leaves to dry and become crispy. Hence, gardeners can use a humidifier, pebble tray, or mist leaves to maintain the humidity level. 

The Bottom Line 

Pilea pperomioides is a unique friendship houseplant with bright green coin-shaped leaves, a wavy texture, and small pinkish flowers. It grows quickly and produces smaller new plants, making it a sharing plant; that's why it is known as a friendship plant. 

Proper propagation and pruning techniques are important for this Chinese money plant to grow well for years. Growcycle offers multiple plant varieties with essential tools to ensure the right propagation and healthier growth.

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.

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.