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Chinese Money Plant Care GuideĀ 

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If you need a beginner-friendly addition to your homemaking adventures, learning about Chinese Money Plant Care is a must. Native to Southern China, this plant is well-known for its distinct coin-shaped leaves that can surely elevate the touch of nature in any room. 

A close-up look at a Chinese money plant in a white clay pot.

Due to the unique appearance of the Pilea Peperomioides, it has many different names, including the coin plant, UFO plant, pancake plant, friendship plant, and more. 

Hand holding a Chinese money plant in a brown pot.

This popular houseplant easily thrives indoors, all thanks to its naturally small size and minimal needs, just like a bonsai plant.

The following care guide has everything you need to know about the Chinese Money Plant, including its optimal growing conditions and ease of propagation. Be one step closer to expertly raising this soon-to-be part of your foliage family! 

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Optimal Growing Conditions

Close-up look of a Chinese money plant in a brown pot.

Amount Of Light 

The Chinese Money Plant grows best with plenty of indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can cause unwanted burn marks on your plantā€™s leaves. If you’re following Vastu, make sure you place your plant in the southeast or east corners of the room.

Temperature 

As a general rule of thumb, as long as youā€™re comfortable with the house temperature, your plant will be too. If you want specifics, thatā€™s about 55Ā°F to 86Ā°F. 

Humidity

Humidity-wise, the Chinese Money Plant is not nitpicky either. As long as you keep it away from the vent and AC, this plant wonā€™t need specific humidity levels. 

Soil Needs 

As I’ll explain further below, the Pilea plant doesnā€™t need too much water, so using well-draining soil is necessary for it to grow healthy. Good drainage protects your plantā€™s root system by letting the soil quickly dry out between waterings. 

Watering And Fertilizing Tips 

a hand Watering plants on a white table.

Water Needs 

Water your Pilea once a week to keep it healthy. Always wait for the soil to dry before watering again, as overwatering can cause root rot on the Pilea plant. During colder months, feel free to adjust the watering to every other week to avoid excess water in your plantā€™s pot. 

Fertilizer Needs 

Ensure your plant gets all the nutrients it needs by giving it monthly houseplant fertilizer during the spring and summer. Follow the label instructions on your plant food to know exactly how much to give your plant. 

Propagating The Coin Plant

Two Chinese Money Plants in pots.

Itā€™s easy to propagate the Chinese Money Plant, and there are two main ways to do so. Oneā€™s by replanting the offshoots, or suckers, surrounding the mother plant. The other oneā€™s through cuttings you make from the long stems of the main plant. 

Propagating Using The Offshoots

Step 1: Find Offshoots.

First, check if there are offshoots or baby plants sprouting from the base of your plant. If you see some, gently separate them from the main stem using your fingers or with a sharp knife, pruning shears, or scissors.

Step 2: Let the roots develop. 

Place the now separated offshoots into a new pot filled with water. Ensure only the base of each stem is submerged, as the leaves may rot when directly exposed to the water. Keep your Pilea in a location that receives bright, indirect light. Within one to two weeks, the roots should grow, indicating that you can move on to the next step. 

Chinese money plant offshoots in a brown bottle filled with water and scissors on the side.

Step 3: Re-pot the new plant. 

Transfer the fully-rooted plant to a soil-filled container and return it to its bright location without direct sun exposure. For the first two weeks, keep the soil moist to the touch so the roots can get accustomed to the soil. After that, you can start caring for your Pilea just like a fully-grown plant. 

A close-up look at baby Chinese money plant being repotted.

Propagating Using Stem Cuttings 

Step 1: Cut a healthy stem from your mother plant. 

Use a sharp knife or blade to cut a healthy, mature stem from the mother plant. 

Step 2: Let it sit in water. 

Place your cuttings in a water-filled container. Once again, ensure that the leaves donā€™t touch the water directly. 

Step 3: Wait for roots to grow.

Place your plant in a location that receives bright but indirect sunlight. Then, wait for one to two weeks so its roots can develop. 

Step 4: Pot the cuttings.

Carefully place the new plant in a pot filled with well-draining soil. Always keep the soil moist, but not too wet, for the first two weeks. After that, you can water your Chinese Money Plant as recommended. 

Replanting a pilea plant in a pot.

Common Pests And Diseases 

Like many indoor plants, the Chinese Money Plant is prone to pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips. These pests suck nutrients or physically damage even the most healthy Pileas. So, check your plantā€™s leaves and stems regularly. 

Leaves of a Chinese Money Plant.

Fortunately, this plant isnā€™t at risk of many diseases, but one common disease you may encounter is Powdery Mildew. This disease is caused by environments that are too humid and will cover your plantā€™s leaves with a white powder-looking substance. The only way to stop this disease from spreading is to trim the affected leaves. 

Troubleshooting Common Issues 

pilea plant in a brown pot beside plant mister.

Leaves start to droop: This indicates that your plant needs water. Simply water your plant, and its leaves should regain their healthy look. 

Scorched leaves: These indicate that your plant is exposed to direct light. To fix this, reposition your plant so that it has access to plenty of indirect sunlight. 

Yellow/Black soft stems: Overwatering causes this problem. Take this as a sign that you should water your plant less often. As mentioned above, you should allow the soil to dry before watering. 

Curled leaves: These often appear when your plant needs more light. Ensure that you place your Chinese Money Plant in a well-lit area and rotate it regularly so that every part can receive enough light.

Stretching stems: If your Pileaā€™s stems are way longer than when you first got the plant, your Chinese Money Plant is most likely not getting enough light. The stems stretch to find better access to better lighting conditions. 

FAQs

Does the money plant have flowers?

Yes, the Chinese Money Plant does have flowers. However, those grown indoors rarely bloom as these flowers only appear once the plant feels the temperature gradually transition from summer to winter.Ā 

How long should the money plant roots be before planting in soil?Ā 

The stem cutting or offshoot roots should be at least two to four inches long before you plant them in soil.Ā 

Why is it called a money plant?

The money plant primarily got its name from its leaves that, with enough imagination, may look like coins.Ā 

Can Chinese money plants survive without sunlight?

This plant can survive with lower light levels; however, it wonā€™t look as healthy as youā€™d want it to be. With minimal lighting, the plantā€™s leaves will curl up.Ā 

Hands holding Chinese money plant in a white pot.

The Chinese Money Plant is an easy-to-care-for houseplant perfect for anyone who wants to add greenery to their space. As long as you water it weekly, fertilize it as recommended, and ensure it receives enough indirect light, youā€™ll always have a blooming crown of coin-shaped leaves elevating the aesthetics of your house. 

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