Pilea Peperomioides, also known as Chinese Money Plant, UFO Plant, Missionary Plant, Pancake Plant, or just Pilea (the shorter version of its scientific name), is an Asiatic evergreen perennial, succulent, and flowering plant. It belongs to the nettle family Urticaceae, native to Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in southern China.
Having a relatively fast-growing habit during its growing season (from spring to fall) and reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) in height, it is a rather erect plant, with round, dark green leaves, measuring up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter on a long petiole. Due to its almost perfectly rounded, coin-shaped leaves, Pilea makes a great decorative plant for any home. It is said that this plant can bring the energy of good fortune into your home, and it is also good for meditating on financial abundance.
Samples of Pilea Peperomioides had been collected by George Forrest in 1910 from China, in the area of Cangshan mountain at altitudes from 5000 to 10,000 feet (1500-3000 m), not far from the ancient city of Dali. Later, in 1912, the German botanist Friedrich Diels officially named and described the plant to the botanical world.
For a very long time, the Pilea Peperomioides plants had been in local cultivation in their native area as an ornamental plant. However, like many other Pilea, this flowering plant has an insignificant value, and it did not attract much attention.
About Pilea Peperomioides
- The species was found by Agnar Espegren, a Norwegian missionary, in Yunnan Province; he took cuttings with him back to Norway from where it started to spread throughout Scandinavia, and eventually worldwide, as people used to pass cuttings between friends.
- It thrives in a bright spot near a window, but too much direct sun can cause the leaves to burn so, it is recommended to keep the plant out of direct sunlight. At the same time, too little light can affect the plant’s overall health, so you might take some time to find a spot in your household that is just right.
- Because Pilea Peperomioides plants grow quickly and orient towards the light it is best to rotate the succulent frequently.
- Mature, healthy Chinese Money plants will grow little pups at the same time, which can be cut to create new plants when they are at least 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) tall or left alone to grow where they are. The best period to take baby cuttings of your Pilea is spring when the plant is actively growing and has the most energy.
- Pilea plants prefer well-drained potting soil, so instead of buying the cheapest potting soil or using garden soil to plant this houseplant, you should consider a high-quality organic potting soil.
- Houseplants are usually purchased in plastic pots, but occasionally they can be found in terracotta pots, which can dry out very quickly, and will let the soil breathe more than a plastic pot does. If you want to give your Pilea plant the time of its life it is better to place it in terracotta or glazed ceramic pots.
- If the plant is healthy and happy, it could produce small white flowers with pink-tinged stems in periods with low temperatures.
Pilea Peperomioides Features: An Overview
- Pilea Peperomioides is an enduring plant that once grew on the rocks of the Cangshan Mountains, in the shade, in the southwestern Yunnan province of China. Having great horticultural value, this plant is now rare in its native habitat, but it can be found everywhere in homes.
- The Pilea Peperomioides, commonly named Chinese Money Plant, is known to grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and it can also expand its width. It is an erect, succulent, evergreen perennial plant that has been graced with round, dark green leaves. Its stem axis color is green to dark brown, often standing upright.
- Some people believe it has a superficial similarity to pennyworts, a plant having low-growing habit and round leaves.
- The large, coin-shaped, shiny leaves growing on this plant species are what keeps it one of the most popular houseplants.
- While Pilea Peperomioides is known as a flowering species, the flowers remain unnoticeable in most cases.
- Pilea plants can be found in tropical and temperate regions around the globe, containing about 600-715 species of flowering plants in the nettle family Urticaceae, many of them being available as indoor pot plants.
- The Pilea genus contains one species used in Chinese traditional medicine known as P. Plataniflora.
Growing Pilea Peperomioides
Any plant requires proper natural light to grow at its fullest potential and our Pilea is no different. As this plant has succulent-like features, light-wise, the best placement for a Chinese Money Plant is in a place with bright light, but with no direct sunlight. This plant will suffer a lot if it receives insufficient light, making its leaves bend and curl rather than remaining flat and shaped like a coin. You can switch from bright to low light areas from time to time, gradually.
The ideal temperatures required for healthy growth should not rise above 85 °F (30 °C), and you should keep it away from places with low temperatures that drop below 55 °F (13 °C). In order to ensure optimum growth results, it is better to place Pilea in your bathroom or kitchen, as they provide warmer conditions and a decent level of humidity.
Although Pilea Peperomioides plants are friendly, easy, and quick growing, they still need a lot of attention and care, so make sure you feed them a standard half-diluted houseplant or cacti based fertilizer, once a month, to help them grow in their best possible way. Also, they are known for having a great time in standard all-purpose potting mix to experience proper drainage.
Since the large leaves usually tend to accumulate dust, regular showering or wiping down of leaves will benefit your Chinese Money Plant. To ensure that the plant keeps a nice, balanced shape, rotate it at least once a week to prevent it from getting lopsided. In the process of dusting the leaves, also take some time to inspect the undersides and watch out for pests.
- CHINESE MONEY PLANT: Our rare and popular houseplant is native to China and is known for its thick round leaves, making it a great addition to any home or office.
- LOW LIGHT HOUSE PLANT: Pilea peperomioides are perfect for low-light environments and require little maintenance. Water once a week when the top 2" of soil is dry, and rotate 180 degrees after every watering for optimal growth.
- 4" POTS FOR PLANTS: Our California Tropicals come in 4" pots for the perfect size for any decoration or space. Whether you're looking for a hanging pot for plants indoors or outdoors, we have the perfect pot for you.
- GIFT PLANT: A Pilea peperomioides is the perfect gift for a plant-lover. It is easy to care for and can be easily propagated by cutting the new leaves off at the base of the stem and sticking them into fresh soil.
- FENG SHUI DECOR: Our California Tropicals are an excellent addition to any Feng Shui decor. Whether you're looking for a rare indoor plant, a money plant, or a gift, this houseplant is perfect.
- Pilea peperomioides in 2" Grower Pot
- Licensed to Ship to CA
- Easy-Care Plant
- Heat/Freezing Shipping: Please refrain from ordering into temperatures above 95F or below 35F.
- 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐓 It's beautiful, low-maintenance, and extremely easy-growing. Pileas are extremely easy to propagate and share with friends. Simply cut the new leaves off with a clean knife at the base of their stem and stick them into some fresh soil
- 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 Adaptable to medium to bright indirect light, this plant flourishes in a range of light conditions, making it a versatile and eye-catching addition to your indoor space
- 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐃𝐄 Water once every week, allowing the soil to dry approximately 2 inches down for optimal care and health
- 𝐏𝐄𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 Perfect for households with furry friends, this plant is very pet-friendly, ensuring a harmonious and worry-free environment
- 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 Perfect for beginners, these low-maintenance plants offer an ideal starting point for aspiring plant enthusiasts. Embrace the joy of nurturing greenery with ease
Last update on 2024-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Watering Pilea Peperomioides
This Pilea Peperomioides species likes to be watered thoroughly, every now and then. It’s best to wait for the top layer of the soil to dry out before watering it again. Typically, watering this plant once a week will be enough. In the summertime and warmer, sunnier weather, Pilea needs water quite a few times a week, whereas, in wintertime or low temperatures, less watering is required.
If your Chinese Money Plant tends to droop and to have an unusual aspect, starting to show a loss in its stem’s strength, it might be giving signs of getting over-watered or dried out. In order to make the difference between these two cases, you should always check the soil’s state. If the soil seems moist you should wait for things to dry out, if it is too dry, it needs immediate watering.
If you want to help the soil breathe and allow the moisture to evaporate, you should consider aerating the soil of your Chinese Money Plant, before the initial watering.
Propagating Pilea Peperomioides
Part of the reason that Pilea Peperomioides has spread around the world is that it is quite easy to propagate. A healthy plant will eventually make little Pilea babies, which can be separated from the mother plant. To cut the offsets safely, you need to use a clean and sharp knife, following the stem about an inch (2-3 cm) under the soil.
Once the process is done, plant it in a new pot and keep the soil moist until the plant is well-anchored and begins to produce new leaves. When new plantlets grow straight from the stem, you can remove these too, and place them in water for about a week or two until roots develop, and they are ready for the steps mentioned above.
Given the fact that its native habitat is among mountain rocks if you want to repot your Pilea Peperomioides plant, it is recommended that you place some stones at the bottom of the pot. In addition to offering better drainage, the stones will keep your plant intact in case the roots start to rot.
In Conclusion
With their easy and quick to grow attributes, the Pilea Peperomioides are the ideal choice as ornamental plants in every home or office. Their coin-shaped, dark green leaves bend together into a pleasing image, and the idea that these plants may make little flowers occasionally is more than rewarding in itself.
Finding a place with bright light, but with no direct sunlight, providing a well-draining potting soil, and watering it weekly based on their needs and signs will make your Chinese Money Plant a stable environment for growing healthy and happy.
Even if they are known as pet-friendly and not harmful for humans in case of consuming them, it is suggested that you keep these houseplants out of reach of cats, dogs, and small children.
