What have you heard about the Chinese money plant? Many people are familiar with this plant because they must have heard that it brings good luck for success or wealth, and this plant is purchased and kept in the home for this reason.
However, what many do not know is how to properly care for and keep this plant.
In this article, while we are not going to tell you if it works for wealth or not, we can tell you how to care for them and keep them for the longest of time in your home.
Table of Contents
The Chinese Money Plant Background
Common name
Chinese money plant, pancake plant, UFO plant
Botanical name
Pilea peperomioides
Size
12 inches tall
Light
Bright, indirect light
Origin
China
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Humidity
Moderate indoor humidity
Toxicity
Non toxic
The Chinese money plant is a beautiful flowering houseplant whose origin is southern china; Sichuan and Yunan provinces. The plant is mostly found in Scandinavia after it was brought by a Norwegian missionary from its origin. The plant leaves come in a round coin-like shape, with dark green color.
Although the money plant is beautiful to have around, it sure has other benefits like boosting your mood, brightening up its environment.
The Chinese money plant’s original name is Pliea peperomiodes, however, because of its uniqueness, it has earned so many names i.e. Chinese money plant, UFO plant, missionary plant, lefse plant, friendship plant, pancake plant, etc. the Chinese money plant is small, it only grows to about 8-12 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
Although it is a flowering plant, they rarely bloom when they are grown indoors, and when they do, the flowers are usually tiny and white. We affirm that this unique plant is quite easy to grow; you only need the basic knowledge to keep them living and healthy.
If you are making plans to buy this beauty or you already have it in your home, then you should read on to find out all you need to put in place before its arrival and to care for them.
[Quick Tip]
Although you should not keep the Pilea peperomioides in temperatures below 50 degrees, you can expose them to a little bit of cold temperature, this will encourage them to bloom.
Chinese Money Plant Propagation Requirements
Here are the simple requirements to grow Chinese money plant at home.
1. Light
Similar to most plants, light is an important part of their growth. The Pilea peperomioides enjoy indirect light. Although the money plant can grow in lower light, it will not grow to its full potential, it might produce fewer leaves, small shaped leaves, etc.
You should rotate the plant, so the light touches all the parts of the plant. Placing the plant in direct, harsh light can lead to burns on the leaves. Placing it in indirect sunlight keeps it attractive and healthy.
A soil pH of 6.0-7.0 is best for the Chinese money plant. the plant requires rich, well-drained soil. You can get a quality potting mix with peat-based; you can add perlite, to increase the drainage. The soil must be kept moisturized and not waterlogged at all times.
3. Humidity
To keep this plant alive in your home, then you need to provide a humid environment for the plant. Most times, our homes are considered too dry for these plants; you should then look for alternatives to create humidity for the plant. You can either mist the plant daily, or you get a humidity tray.
A humidity tray includes peddles with water, you then place your plant on it. You can as well purchase a humidifier if you cannot go through with the other options.
4. Water
Watering the soil is as important as every other requirement for growth. The Chinese money plant does not require lots of water, they have medium water needs, so before you water them the next time, make sure they are almost dried out. The plants will give you signs of drooping when it needs water.
5. Temperature
The average home temperature is good for the Chinese money plant, although the plant can survive freezing temperatures, it should not be exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Potting
You can grow your Chinese money plant in plastic, ceramic pots. They can also do well in terracotta pots; however, you will be required to water them more often than before. The most important thing in choosing a pot is that it must have good drainage holes. Depending on how healthy your plant is, you might need to re-pot it yearly.
Chinese Money Plant Propagation
Propagating the Chinese money plant is quite easy. Bearing in mind that this plant is quite scarce in some parts of the world, in most places, the only way to have some is to get some cuttings from friends who have them and propagate. The Pilea peperomioides can be propagated via root plantlets and stem plantlets.
This is the easiest way to propagate the Chinese money plant. all you have to do is make sure your plant is healthy. A healthy plant will grow offshoots from its root system, once the offshoots are a bit tall, you can separate them from the mother plant.
You can separate the offshoots by carefully digging around the soil so you can see the roots of the offshoots, with the use of pruning shears or a knife, cut the root from beneath the soil and move the plant to another pot filled with good, moist soil.
You must keep the soil moist until the plant is well-rooted, you can then resume your regular watering schedule. If you intend to keep your pot bushier and fuller, you can leave the plantlets to grow in the same pot, however, you may have to separate them to give space for more.
2. Stem Plantlets
The Chinese money plant also produces shoots from the stem, however, unlike the root plantlets, these do not have a root system of their own. With the use of a knife, remove the stem offshoot from the mother plant and gently place them in a vase of water.
Placing them in water helps you monitor how your baby plant’s root is doing.
After a while, your plant should grow its root system. The root system might take a while before it comes up, especially during the winter. You will need to be patient with your plant.
Chinese Money Plant: How To Care For Your Chinese Money Plant
Maintaining the growth requirement should keep your plant alive for the longest of time, however, the following are few other things you need to add to help them stay beautiful and healthy.
Fertilizing the plant is not so important, the Chinese money plant can survive without it, however, you can feed them once a month, especially during the growing season. You might want to avoid fertilizing during winter or when you notice the plant isn’t producing lots of leaves. Whatever fertilizer you are using, make sure it is diluted to half its strength.
As mentioned earlier, water is quite important to Chinese money plants, however, make sure you do not leave your plant soggy. You can work with a schedule that gets your plant almost dried before you water them again. Soggy soil can lead to root rot and eventually death. Watering should also change per season. You may not need to water so much during winter.
The Chinese money plant is not toxic! Yay! You can comfortable have pets and children around them. you may also want to keep them at a safe distance because you never can tell what could go wrong for either of the parties.
We cannot exactly say the Chinese money plant is susceptible to one type of plant. However, you might want to keep an eye on your plant for mealy- bugs, scale, fungus gnats, and spider mites. You should get your plant treated immediately after you notice they are infected.
Image: Envato Elements
Final Thoughts
You may not find the Chinese money plant at your florist or gardening store, however, you can get cuttings from people you know who have them in their home. or just buy from Amazon.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
You can also purchase them online. Unlike some other houseplants, the Chinese money plant is very easy to grow and keep. Who knows, they might bring good luck.
Jane is a Master Gardener with a degree in Horticulture. Majoring in floriculture, She's an expert in the production of bedding and garden plants alongside cut cultivated greens and other floriculture materials. In addition to that, she's been a writer for over five years providing her personal and professional insights to various magazines and blogs. At home, she's mum to two wonderful boys. Together with her husband and their four-legged furry reside in the countryside where she does what she loves doing the most.
