This beautiful plant has been widely popular around the world since 1970. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides) is a member of the nettle plant family. If you are in a pleasant area, you must have seen it on the sidewalks! This beautiful plant is very easy to maintain. Continue reading this article in TooPlant in order to learn more about how to grow and care for Chinese Money Plant.
Introduction of Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides)
Before addressing how to care for Chinese Money Plant, please allow us to give you a brief introduction about this houseplant.
Name | Chinese Money Plant |
Family | Urticaceae |
Botanical Name | Pilea Peperomioides |
Native | Southern China |
Common Name(s) | Chinese Money Plant, Missionary plant, Coin Plant, Pancake Plant, UFO plant |
It is interesting to know that Chinese Money Plant is an air purifier plant. In fact, contrary to its name, not only do you not need to pay for it, but it also cleans the air in your home completely free of charge! Although Pilea Peperomioides is not very strong in air purification, but if you have a lot of it in the environment, you can open a special account on this feature.
The easiest way to have a large number of Chinese Money Plant is to multiply it. Chinese Money Plant grows easily by planting cut stems.
Pilea Peperomioides grows to more than 40 cm in height, and over time, its main stem begins to twist. The reason this plant is called the “Chinese Money Plant” is because of its glossy coin-like leaves.
Chinese Money Plant does not require special care and is great for tables and shelves. Some people believe that if you put a coin in its soil, it will bring you luck and wealth. The test is harmless, so do not forget the coins! If you suddenly become very rich, buy a vase of gold for a Chinese Money Plant, it deserves it!
The Chinese Money Plant has thick green leaves and short stems. It is very similar to the spoon plant but more beautiful!
In this article, we want to provide you with information about how to care for Chinese Money Plant, so stay tuned with Tooplant.
Care for Chinese Money Plant
In this part, we will focus on the most important aspects which you need to take into consideration while treating this houseplant. The best methods of how to care for Chinese Money Plant include as follows:
Chinese Money Plant Light Requirements: What light is best for Pilea peperomioides?
Light is among the first important issues to care for Chinese Money Plant. Indirect sunlight and drained soil are all that Pilea peperomioides wants from you. The growth of this plant is almost rapid, especially in the growing seasons; That is spring and summer. The point to keep in mind is that Pilea Peperomioides is leaning towards the light source. For this reason, you must rotate it regularly so that the light reaches the main stem of the plant in the same amount so that its growth is vertical and without curvature.
So, as shown above, light plays a significant role to care for Chinese Money Plant.
Pilea Peperomioides Watering: How often should you water a Chinese Money Plant?
In the rest, concerning the tips of caring for a Chinese Money Plant, it is better to know that allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Therefore, watering is another important aspect in order to care for Chinese Money Plant. Do not water it too much, once a week in winter and twice in summer is enough. If the lower leaves of the plant (the leaves near the roots) turn yellow or start to fall off, it means that you have given too much water to the plant.
In this way, to care for Chinese Money Plant, watering is considered to be of great significance.
Chinese Money Plant Soil: What is the best soil for Pilea Peperomioides?
Intending to care for Chinese Money Plant, the other crucial matter is soil. Use potting soil for Pilea peperomioides houseplant and make sure it is properly drained. If the roots protrude from under the pot, it is time to move the plant to a larger pot. So it can be said that soil is another basic and important issue in caring for Pilea peperomioides. Thus, it can be said that, soil is another basic and important issue so as to care for Chinese Money Plant.
Chinese Money Plant Temperature and Humidity Tolerance
Now, we come to temperature and humidity which are assumed to be principal to care for Chinese Money Plant in addition to light, watering and soil that are mentioned above. The average temperature and humidity of the house are suitable for Chinese Money Plant. If possible, avoid overly dry conditions – which usually means keeping the plant away from the heater. Pilea peperomioides is resistant to freezing temperatures, but when stored indoors, do not place it below 10 °C. However, a short period of exposure to the cold during the winter months may help encourage flowering.
Chinese Money Plant Fertilizer: What is the best fertilizer for a Pilea peperomioides?
When you want to care for Chinese Money Plant, one of the important questions that may come to your mind is “what is the best fertilizer?” In what follows, we will address how to fertilize this plant:
During the growing season, give the plant a multi-purpose fertilizer for houseplants every month. The fertilizer dilution ratio should be one-half.
As a result, we could say that fertilizer is regarded as one of the fundamental issues when someone wants to care for Chinese Money Plant.
Chinese Money Plant Toxicity: Is Chinese Money Plant poisonous to humans and pets?
In order to care for Chinese Money Plant, toxicity is considered to be a major issue because it directly relates to your health, especially for children. The Chinese Money Plant is not poisonous to children and pets. Of course, if this plant is swallowed too much, it can cause problems in the digestive system.
Chinese Money Plant Propagating: How to propagate Pilea Peperomioides?
When you want to care for Chinese Money Plant, another important question that may come to your mind is “how to propagate it.” You can easily propagate the Chinese Money Plant. It is better to do this in early spring and cut the stem and take root in water. When the roots reach 4 cm, you can transfer them to a pot with moist soil.
Cuttings and propagation of this plant are very easy. Because it itself creates new small plants on the same soil. All you have to do is remove these plants from the mother pot with a clean knife and replant them in moist soil. Always keep the soil of the fresh plant moist until new leaves begin to grow.
Pilea Peperomioides Repotting: How to repot Chinese Money Plant?
Another thing to keep in mind when caring for a Chinese Money Plant is Repotting it. Properly covered, it will withstand many adverse conditions. It is recommended to change the pot annually in the early spring or summer months to refresh the soil, remove the branches (if desired) and increase the size of the pot.
When choosing a pot for your Pilea, the most important thing to consider is proper drainage. In short, make sure the pot has a drain hole!
This plant adapts well to plastic, ceramic and earthenware pots, however, if you choose earthenware pots, keep in mind that you may need to water your Chinese Money Plant more as the flower absorbs water from the soil.
Common Pests and Diseases
Chinese Money Plant is not susceptible to certain pests or diseases, but when grown indoors it is susceptible to a variety of common houseplant pests. Beware of mealybugs, aphids, fungi and spider mites, and if you notice infection, treat according to the type of pest.
Caring for Chinese Money Plant: Common Problems With Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides)
After a description of taking care of a Chinese Money Plant, we will explain the problems and their solutions:
Fallen branches of the plant:
The fall of the branches of this plant is usually a natural occurrence and it grows in the same way, especially in indoor plants. But abnormal and excessive sagging can be a sign of incorrect watering in this plant. Improper hydration can cause the plant to wither and fall off.
Why Are Pilea Peperomioides Leaves Turning Yellow?
As “leaves turning yellow” is one of the common problems that you may face when you want to care for Chinese Money Plant, we will try to describe the reasons and the ways to solve it in detail. One of the most important reasons for Chinese Money Plant yellowing leaves is improper watering, and overwatering usually causes this problem. Improper hydration can cause stress or damage to the roots of the plant, which in turn causes the leaves to turn yellow.
Thus, if you are faced with the Chinese Money Plant yellowing leaves, there is no need to worry because you can easily solve the problem by watering properly.
Why Are Chinese Money Plant Leaves Turning Red/Purple?
In some cases, the leaves may turn red or purple. This is especially true in the summer when the sun is more intense. This discoloration of the plant leaves is due to excessive and direct sunlight, which causes the plant’s leaves to burn and as a result change their color. Since “leaves turning Red/Purple” is another common problem that you may face when you want to care for Chinese Money Plant, we tried to describe the reasons and the ways to solve it in details.
Does The Chinese Money Plant Bring Luck?
In Feng Shui culture, the Chinese Money Plant is an important plant and is considered a symbol of luck. In this culture, keeping Pilea at home can lead to excellence in both personal and professional life. But on the other hand, if this plant is not well cared for and not given the necessary attention, it can cause bad luck.
Infographic Of How To Care For Chinese Money Plant
In this article, we tried to explain to you in an infographic the essential tips in the care of Chinese Money Plant, so that you can briefly and usefully learn the methods of caring for this plant.
In The End
In this article, we tried to provide you with the necessary information about the methods of caring for a Chinese Money Plant.

However, if you have any questions regarding this indoor plant or you need to get advice from our houseplant experts, please share your questions with us through the comments section below.