Chinese Money Plant Care Guide

Common Name: Pilea or Chinese Money Plant

Family: Urticaceae

Genus: Pilea

Botanical name: Pilea peperomioides

Difficulty: Very low-maintenance

Light

Keep them in bright areas, but don’t let them stay in direct sunlight.

Water

Water your Pilea once the top 2”-3” of the soil is dry. Generally, it will need to be watered once a week, but this can vary depending on lighting and air quality.

Climate

Your Pilea will be so happy with your household temperatures (65°-75°F). Just make sure they are not by a heating or air conditioning source. Your Pilea will not need any extra humidity, and will actually do pretty well in drier environments.

Soil

They need a rich, well-draining potting mix that will keep the roots healthy and prevent root rot.

Pests and diseases

Your cute little plant may attract mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats if over watered.

Tips

• Rotate your Pilea frequently to promote even, balanced growth.

• Dust the leaves to help it get the most out of its photosynthesis, and always check on the undersides for pests.

• Use a self-watering pot if you’re scared of over watering.

Signs your plant isn’t feeling so money

• Fading color: not enough light

• Droopy leaves: needs water

• Lower leaves falling off (if soil is wet) : over watered

• Droopy leaves (with proper watering and soil): not enough sunlight

• Brown spots: over watered

Propagation

Unlike most plants, chinese money plants are not easy to propagate from stem cuttings because they take a long time to root. You’ll have the most success by taking the little shoots from the parent plant once they start to pop up. A healthy Pilea will grow babies from its roots. Once they have leaves of their own, you just have to separate them and then pot them into soil! You will need to keep the soil slightly damp.

Fun Facts

• Pilea are native to Southern China.

• Cooler temperatures encourage the flowering of tiny pink stems with tiny white flowers.

• Pilea have been extremely popular in Scandinavia since it was brought over from China by a Norwegian missionary.

• Another nickname for this plant is the Friendship Plant, how cute!

• They have stomata, which are pores on the undersides of the leaves.

Hardiness Zones

Before you move your plant outside, be sure to check the hardiness zone to save yourself some grief and the loss of a beloved plant.

The hardiness zone for Chinese Money Plants is: 10

 If you live in Tennessee, here’s a hardiness map to help you decide if your plant can survive outside!