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Chinese Money Plant - Plant

How to Grow a Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

Indoor plants make my house a home, period. The Chinese money plant, scientific name Pilea peperomioides, is a flowering flat disc-shaped plant that belongs to the nettle family Urticaceae. It is native to Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China – and I simply adore them. They have a sculptural yet striking, presence. 

Even better? They are super easy to take care of (even if you raise them from baby plants). In fact, they’re almost as easy as the Ficus-Audrey. I recently added a few to my indoor plant collection and wanted to share a few tips to keep them looking great.

Flowerpot

But first, I bet you have a few questions about how this gorgeous plant got its name, and why they are so popular. Let’s dive in…

The Chinese money plant’s name meaning

Over the years, I have collected numerous names such as Lefse Plant, Bender Plant, Missionary Plant, Pancake Plant, Coin Plant, Friendship plant, and even my favorite the UFO Plant. Here’s another favorite house plant of mine that might surprise you.

As mentioned, the Chinese money plant has rounded, coin-shaped, flat leaves. When these circular leaves are kept on top of each other, it looks like a stack of coins. This earned the plant its common name, money plant. Do you see it now? It totally makes sense to me.

The spiritual significance

Feng shui experts believe that the Chinese money plant brings its owners prosperity, wealth, and good luck. The legend goes that a poor man gained immeasurable riches by growing it. Money plants are a favored gift in East Asian countries but also in the US. 

I love them because they look good with all interior decor and look great on a bookcase or a shelf while bringing some good luck to the space! Why wouldn’t you want one?

This plant is a constant reminder to stay positive with regard to your financial status. People say looking at their leaves will also provide you with positive energy and remind the person to be judicious with their finances. Maybe having this plant in your home will be a positive reminder for you along the way. 

Grab a Chinese money, plant one now, and make your dreams a reality. Here’s what you need to know to grow these from baby plants (and here’s how to grow plants in a small greenhouse!).

Chinese money plant grow

The Chinese money plant benefits

  • The money plant is believed to reduce marital problems. So if you want some zen in your married life, look no farther than our dear old Chinese money plant. Keep the plant in the southeast direction and enjoy peace and fortune with your spouse.
  • As I said earlier, the Chinese money plant really brightens up a room and creates a positive and happier environment. They are great focal points too. Keep the chemise money plant in a place where you can see it often and feel the positive vibes thrumming into you.
  • People believe that the Chinese money plant reduces stress and has a positive effect on health. Some hospitals even keep money plants in their patient’s hotel rooms to improve their recovery.
  • The next benefit I am going to tell you is not a superstition but a fact. The Chinese money plant is a good air purifier, like a lot of plants. It is a low-maintenance solution to your home’s air quality issues. With a Chinese money plant in your home, you can now breathe easily.
  • You can always take offsets or plantlets from your Chinese money plant and gift them to friends and family, or grow new ones in a propagation station. I love how quickly they grow and look on the wall.

How to take care of your Chinese money plant

The Chinese money plant terracotta pot

If you want your plant beauty to look its best, you have to give the Chinese money plant the best care possible. It’s actually quite easy to take care of and they grow quickly.

SUNLIGHT

The Chinese money plant loves sunshine. So let it soak in the sun for some time. But, be a bit careful during hot summer days. You don’t want to scorch all that beautiful greenery with too much natural light. There is no need to place it in direct sunlight. 

In fact, a little bright indirect light will do for the Chinese money plant. Place it near a window or a balcony and let it enjoy the warm sunshine as indirect light. If your plant is not getting enough sunlight, it won’t grow very tall. 

Also, remember to regularly clean the dust from the leaves so that they can take all the sunlight they need.

If your house does not receive enough sunlight, it is a good idea to invest in a good tabletop grow light to help your Chinese money plant get enough supplemental light.

WATERING

Chinese money plant care tips

Watering is essential for the healthy growth of your Chinese money plant. It can get thirsty just like a human. It is ideal to water your money plant 2–3 times a week. But do not pour an entire jug of water on it. 

The Chinese money plant is not a hydrophilic plant. This means it can’t be waterlogged so you don’t want excess water. Always check the soil dryness before watering and pour only a sufficient amount of water. If the soil feels soggy, it is better to leave watering for another day. 

Overwatered plants can be identified by their yellowing leaves. If your plant’s leaves are turning yellow, adjust the watering schedule to avoid root rot. You can also snip off the yellow leaves so that the plant can concentrate on the healthy ones.

Similarly, if the soil is bone dry, the leaves will start to become droopy. The droopy leaves are the plant’s way of asking you to water them. Water the plant in such a way that the water runs all the way through, leaving moist soil behind.

HUMIDITY

The Chinese money plants love humidity. If your house is in a humid climate, then you are in luck. For people living in a dry climatic area, it is good to invest in a humidity tray that can be kept below the plant pot.

FERTILIZING

Chinese money plant care tips of roots

The Chinese money plant doesn’t require it, but if you want to give your baby a bit of a jolt, try a few drops of this plant concentrate fertilizer it helps! You can simply use an all-purpose plant fertilizer once a month to improve its growth and vigor, especially during summer and spring. 

Always remember to water the plant before fertilizing. It is better to feed your plant one day after you water it. But remember to not overfeed your plant out of love. Our kindness and blind love kill most of our houseplants. Overfeeding (or watering) can cause the leaves to go soft.

SOIL

The Chinese money plants like well-drained potting soil. It is best not to use garden soil for your plants. Also, try not to go for the cheapest potting mix available on the market. 

Using good-quality potting soil will make your plant happy and improve its growth. Some people also use DIY soils suitable for houseplants. If you are buying an already potted plant from a nursery or greenhouse, then you don’t have to worry about the soil type issue.

POTTING

Houseplants generally come in plastic pots. But some greenhouses and nurseries use terracotta pots for the Chinese money plants. This is a bit tricky since the terracotta can dry out fast. Use a glazed ceramic or plastic pot to combat this issue. 

If the plant you have is in a terracotta pot, you can always consider repotting it. If you are tempted to keep the terracotta pot because it looks beautiful, then remember to water the plant frequently.

You can also use a plastic pot for the plant and then put the plastic pot in a terracotta one to improve the aesthetics. 

Whichever container you choose, remember to put a drainage hole in it. The Chinese money plants hate to put their roots in water. Therefore, good drainage is essential. Otherwise, the plant roots will rot.

TEMPERATURE

Even though the temperature is not a big consideration while growing a Chinese money plant, the ideal temperature that you can maintain is 55°-86 °F.

REPOTTING

Pilea Chinese Money Plant

When you provide your Chinese money plant with the best possible conditions, it will surely outgrow its pot. When its container feels full, you can move it to a bigger pot, or you can propagate it. 

Repotting will give the plant a fuller, more beautiful look. So many people prefer to keep the offsets with the mother plant.

PROPAGATING

Chinese money plant care advice

Propagation should be done using a healthy plant. Look for plantlets or offsets coming up through the soil. I love using a propagation station to grow them easily. 

When they become about 3 inches tall, you can remove them from the mother plant using a clean and sharp knife. After stem cutting, your cut offset can be placed either in water or soil. If you choose to keep it in soil, make sure that the soil is watered amply.

FAQ

How do you take care of a Chinese Money Plant?

appropriately sizedTo properly take care of this popular houseplant, you’ll need to provide it with the right potting soil in an appropriately-sized pot with a drainage hole(s). Establish a consistent watering schedule, and then adjust as needed.

Where is the best place to put a Chinese Money Plant?

During the summer months, placing your Chinese Money plant near the window sill is perfect. Too much light exposure to bright light is bad for your plant, so make sure it’s only getting indirect light instead. 

If it needs to be placed directly in front of the window, using a sheer curtain is a great way to limit light levels. Avoid placing it on a windowsill in winter, as this plant is not tolerant of cold temperatures.

What are Chinese money plants good for?

These plants are known to purify air, like other plants. It’s great at creating a peaceful environment in your home. However, the plant is also thought to bring wealth, prosperity, and luck to its caretaker.

In other words, there are many benefits from a plant that you can easily find at most plant shops!

What does a Chinese Money Plant symbolize?

This plant is often associated with prosperity, luck, and wealth (due to its coin-shaped leaves!).

Is Chinese Money Plant toxic?

These plants aren’t toxic to animals or humans, so you won’t have to worry about potentially poisoning anyone as part of your Chinese Money Plant care.

Summary

As you can see, taking care of a Chinese money plant isn’t difficult at all. They also look amazing in your space. By giving it a little love and attention, you can have a gorgeous houseplant that makes your home look great. 

As your plant-caring skills increase, you can pass the little bundles of joy on to your friends and family after propagation. So, are you ready for your plant-growing adventure? I hope so. Grab one now.

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