Chinese Money Plant

Overview

The Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides), also known as the Pancake Plant or UFO Plant, is beloved for its distinctive round, flat leaves that grow on long petioles. Native to the southwestern Yunnan province of China, this charming plant has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its unique appearance and ease of care.

The plant gets its common name from the coin-shaped leaves and the Chinese belief that it brings good fortune and prosperity to its owner. Its compact growth habit and ability to produce numerous "pups" or baby plants make it both an attractive houseplant and one that's easy to share with friends and family.

With its bright green, perfectly circular leaves that seem to float above the soil, the Chinese Money Plant adds a distinctive modern touch to any indoor space. It typically grows to about 12 inches tall and wide, making it perfect for tabletops, shelves, and small spaces.

Care Guide

Light Requirements

The Chinese Money Plant thrives in bright, indirect light but is adaptable to medium light conditions. Finding the right light balance is key to maintaining its distinctive appearance:

• Bright indirect light: Ideal for healthy growth and maintaining the plant's compact shape
• Medium light: Will survive but may become leggy with longer stems between leaves
• Low light: Not recommended as it leads to stretched growth and smaller leaves
• Direct sunlight: Avoid as it can scorch the delicate leaves and cause them to curl

For optimal growth, place your Chinese Money Plant near an east or north-facing window where it will receive gentle morning sun or consistent bright indirect light throughout the day. If only a south or west-facing window is available, place the plant a few feet away from the window or use a sheer curtain to filter the intense afternoon sun.

Rotate your plant regularly (about once a week) to ensure even growth, as it will naturally grow toward the light source.

Watering

Chinese Money Plants prefer their soil to dry out slightly between waterings. They are sensitive to both overwatering and underwatering, so finding the right balance is important:

Watering Schedule:

• Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch
• Typically this means watering once every 7-10 days, depending on your home's conditions
• Reduce watering frequency in winter when growth slows
• Increase slightly during active growth in spring and summer

Watering Technique:

• Water thoroughly until it flows from the drainage holes
• Empty the saucer to prevent the plant from sitting in water
• Use room temperature water to avoid shocking the roots
• Water the soil directly, avoiding the center of the plant where water can collect and cause rot

Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves and soft, mushy stems, while underwatering typically manifests as drooping, curling leaves. The Chinese Money Plant will also tell you when it's thirsty by slightly drooping its leaves, which will perk up again after watering.

Soil

Chinese Money Plants thrive in well-draining, lightweight soil that provides adequate aeration for the roots while still retaining some moisture:

Ideal Soil Mix:

• 2 parts standard potting soil
• 1 part perlite or pumice
• 1 part coco coir or peat moss

This combination creates a light, airy mix that drains well but still holds enough moisture for the plant's needs. Alternatively, a good quality indoor plant potting mix with added perlite works well.

The Chinese Money Plant doesn't like to be root-bound for too long, so repot every 12-18 months or when you notice roots growing through the drainage holes. Choose a pot that's only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one to avoid overwatering issues.

Temperature & Humidity

The Chinese Money Plant is adaptable to normal household conditions but does have some preferences for optimal growth:

Temperature:

• Ideal range: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
• Can tolerate temperatures as low as 55°F (13°C)
• Avoid temperatures above 86°F (30°C)
• Keep away from cold drafts, heating vents, and air conditioners

Humidity:

• Tolerates normal household humidity (40-60%)
• Prefers slightly higher humidity if possible
• No need for special humidity measures in most homes
• If air is very dry, consider placing on a pebble tray with water or near other plants

While the Chinese Money Plant isn't particularly fussy about humidity, extremely dry air can cause leaf edges to brown. In very dry environments, occasional misting can be beneficial, but it's not necessary in most homes.

Fertilizing

Chinese Money Plants are light feeders and don't require heavy fertilization. A balanced approach will support healthy growth without causing fertilizer burn:

Fertilizing Schedule:

• Apply a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength
• Fertilize once a month during spring and summer (growing season)
• Reduce or eliminate fertilizing in fall and winter when growth naturally slows
• Resume regular fertilizing when new growth appears in spring

Over-fertilizing can lead to salt buildup in the soil, which can damage the roots and cause leaf burn. If you notice white crust forming on the soil surface, flush the pot thoroughly with water to remove excess salts.

Propagation

One of the most delightful characteristics of the Chinese Money Plant is how readily it produces offspring, making it incredibly easy to propagate:

Propagating Pups (Offshoots):

1. Wait until the baby plants (pups) that emerge from the soil around the mother plant are at least 2-3 inches tall
2. Carefully remove the plant from its pot to expose the root system
3. Gently separate the pups from the mother plant, ensuring each has some roots attached
4. If the pup is connected by a runner (stolon), cut it with clean scissors close to the mother plant
5. Plant each pup in a small pot with fresh, well-draining soil
6. Keep the soil lightly moist until new growth appears, indicating successful establishment

Propagating Stem Cuttings:

1. Identify a healthy stem with at least one leaf
2. Using clean scissors, cut the stem just below a node
3. Place the cutting in a small container of water, ensuring the node is submerged but the leaf remains above water
4. Change the water every few days to prevent bacteria growth
5. After 2-4 weeks, roots should develop from the node
6. Once roots are about 1-2 inches long, plant in well-draining soil
7. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) for the first few weeks

The Chinese Money Plant is known for its generous production of pups, often creating enough new plants to share with friends and family. This tradition of sharing has contributed to its popularity, as it was primarily spread through plant enthusiasts long before it became commercially available.

Common Problems

While generally easy to care for, Chinese Money Plants can experience a few common issues:

Yellowing Leaves:

• Cause: Usually indicates overwatering or poor drainage
• Solution: Allow soil to dry out more between waterings, ensure pot has drainage holes, and check that the soil isn't compacted

Brown Leaf Edges:

• Cause: Low humidity, underwatering, or fertilizer burn
• Solution: Increase humidity slightly, adjust watering schedule, or flush soil to remove excess fertilizer salts

Curling Leaves:

• Cause: Too much direct sunlight or underwatering
• Solution: Move to a location with bright indirect light and adjust watering as needed

Leggy Growth:

• Cause: Insufficient light causing the plant to stretch toward light sources
• Solution: Move to a brighter location and rotate regularly for even growth

Pests:

• Spider Mites: Tiny pests that cause stippling on leaves and fine webbing
• Mealybugs: White, cotton-like insects that cluster in leaf joints
• Solution: Wipe leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil, isolate affected plants

Drooping Leaves:

• Cause: Underwatering is the most common cause, but extreme temperatures can also cause drooping
• Solution: Check soil moisture and water if dry; ensure plant is kept in appropriate temperature range

Most issues with Chinese Money Plants can be resolved by adjusting care routines. These plants are quite resilient and typically bounce back quickly once the proper conditions are restored.

Popular Varieties

While the standard Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) is by far the most common, there are a few interesting variations that plant enthusiasts might encounter:

Pilea peperomioides 'White Splash'

• Features small white speckles or variegation on the leaves
• Requires slightly more light than the standard variety to maintain variegation
• Growth rate is typically slower than the solid green form

Pilea peperomioides 'Sugar'

• Has smaller, more compact leaves with a slightly crinkled texture
• Grows in a denser pattern than the standard variety
• Often produces more pups than the standard form

Pilea peperomioides 'Silver Tree'

• Displays a subtle silvery sheen on the leaf surface
• Leaf undersides have a more pronounced reddish hue
• Slightly more compact growth habit

Pilea peperomioides 'Mojito'

• Features random light green to cream-colored speckles
• Pattern varies from leaf to leaf, creating an interesting mosaic effect
• Requires bright indirect light to maintain its distinctive coloration

While these varieties exist, they can be difficult to find commercially. Most Chinese Money Plants available for purchase are the standard green form, which remains popular due to its distinctive appearance and ease of care.

With its unique coin-shaped leaves, easy propagation, and manageable care requirements, the Chinese Money Plant makes an excellent addition to any houseplant collection. Its compact size and architectural form make it perfect for modern interiors, while its reputation for bringing good fortune adds a touch of positive energy to your home.