How to Care for a Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides)

Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides), often called the friendship plant, coin plant, or UFO plant, is popular thanks to its attractive coin-shaped foliage and ease of care. It is grown primarily for its unique foliage and does not often flower indoors.

This perennial is a low-maintenance, air-purifying option that's also pet-safe. Chinese money plants are easy to propagate and share with friends, hence the name "friendship plant." With proper lighting, it can double in size within a year.

Common Name	Pancake plant, Chinese money plant, coin plant, UFO plant, friendship plant
Botanical Name	Pilea peperomioides
Family	Urticaceae
Plant Type	Perennial
Mature Size	12 in tall, 8 to 12 in. wide
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Well-draining
Soil pH	Acidic, neutral
Bloom Time	Spring
Flower Color	White
Native Area	China

Chinese Money Plant Care

Although this popular houseplant may be difficult to get your hands on, once you have one it is surprisingly easy to care for.

• Place Chinese money plant in a spot where it will get a lot of bright, indirect light.
• Prepare moist but well-draining soil.
• Water thoroughly once the soil has dried out.
• Maintain room temperature and average humidity.
• Rotate the plant occasionally so that it does not become lopsided.
• Fertilize lightly in spring and summer.

Dropping Leaves

It's normal for plants to drop one or two older leaves as they put their energy into new growth. However, if you start to notice lots of your Chinese money plant's leaves dropping, it's most commonly a sign of overwatering and root rot. Be sure to address this immediately to prevent any more leaves from dropping.

Light

Provide medium-to-bright, indirect light for your Chinese money plant. An east- or west-facing window may be ideal. Rotate your plant regularly to keep it looking symmetrical. Avoid locations that receive harsh, direct light as it will burn the delicate leaves.

While this plant can adapt to lower light conditions; it will become leggy, grow fewer offshoots, and the coin-shaped leaves may become smaller. Overall, this plant is the healthiest and most attractive when grown in bright light conditions.

Soil

Plant Chinese money plant in rich, well-draining soil, and amend the soil with perlite to increase drainage and ensure the soil does not become waterlogged. A high-quality organic potting mix that is peat-based or coir-based is best. A soil pH between 6.0-7.0 is ideal for this plant.

Water

Chinese money plant is considered to have medium water needs. Allow the plant to nearly dry out between waterings and then water well. The leaves will begin to droop when it dries out, which is a good indication that it’s time for watering.

Watering Tip

Want to be sure your Chinese money plant is getting the water it needs? Our favorite moisture meters take the guesswork out of watering your houseplants.

Temperature and Humidity

The average household temperature and humidity are fine for this plant. Where possible, avoid overly dry conditions, which usually means keeping the plant away from heating vents or baseboards.

The Chinese money plant is hardy to freezing temperatures, but when kept indoors avoid exposing it to temperatures below 50°F. However, a short period of cold exposure in the winter months may help to encourage blooming.

Fertilizer

Chinese money plant benefits from monthly fertilization in the spring and summer months. Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer for best results. Follow product label instructions. Avoid fertilizing during the fall and winter months when the plant has gone into dormancy.

Get What Your Chinese Money Plant Needs

• A plant mister can help keep your plant healthy if your home is dry.
• If you don't have a bright enough spot for your Chinese money plant, a grow light can help it thrive all year long.
• Houseplants benefit from a good fertilizer once a year, preferably in fall to help it stay healthy through winter.

Potting and Repotting Chinese Money Plant

When properly cared for, Chinese money plant is fast-growing and can quickly fill its pot with roots and offshoots. Repot your plant in early spring or summer months if it's outgrown its current pot. You will know it's time to repot when roots are growing out of the drainage hole.

When choosing a pot for your Chinese money plant, select a pot that is one size larger than its current vessel. You want a pot that is about one or two inches wider. Drainage is also critical; only select a pot that has a drainage hole.

The plant adapts well to plastic, ceramic, and terra-cotta pots, although, if you choose a terra-cotta pot, be aware that you may need to water your Pilea more frequently as terra-cotta absorbs water from the soil.

Get Your Repotting Gear

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Propagating Chinese Money Plant

Chinese money plant is very easy to propagate as it readily grows offshoots. Once the offshoots are a couple of inches tall, it is safe to separate them from the mother plant. They can be propagated in water or in soil and will be most successful when placed in bright light and in high humidity.

Here's how to propagate offshoots in soil.

1. Locate an offshoot and move some soil away from its base.
2. Sever the offshoot from the host plant with clean pruners.
3. Immediately move the cutting into some moist soil in its own small pot.
4. Keep the soil moist (but not waterlogged) until the plant grows roots.
5. Once the plant is established, resume regular care.

Common Pests

Chinese money plant is not prone to any particular pests or diseases, but when grown indoors it is susceptible to a variety of common houseplant pests. Keep an eye out for mealybugs, scale, fungus gnats, and spider mites, and treat accordingly if you notice an infestation.

Pest to Watch

Pilea peperomioides are very prone to spider mites, which spin webs underneath the leaves and will suck nutrients from the leaves, resulting in browning edges on the leaves or visible spots. If you turn a leaf over and notice webbing or tiny insects crawling about, you likely have spider mites, which can be treated with rubbing alcohol, insecticidal soap, or neem oil.

How to Get Chinese Money Plant to Bloom

Mature Chinese money plants sometimes bloom with very tiny flowers on stalks that emerge from the base of the plant. Should you want your Chinese money plant to bloom, try moving it to a colder room for the winter months. This slight shock to the system sometimes causes a plant to send forth flowers as a means of propagating itself.

Common Problems With Chinese Money Plant

Chinese money plant is typically a fast-growing, easy-to-grow plant that is ideal for growers who don't have the time or interest in babying temperamental houseplants. Problems can be traced to deficits in light exposure or an irregular watering routine and manifest in the leaves.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves that eventually fall off indicate the plant is getting too much water. Use a moisture meter to confirm that the soil is dry before watering.

Curling Leaves

When the leaves of a Chinese money plant curl up along the edges, it can be because the plant is not getting enough bright indirect light, because room temperatures are too high, or because the room humidity is too dry. Watering too much or too little can also cause this problem.

Browning Leaves

It's quite common for the leaves on a Chinese money plant to signal their displeasure over environmental problems by showing discoloration. Browning leaves may result if your plant is getting too much direct sunlight. Remember that this plant likes bright indirect light.

Browning Leaf Tips

Yellow or brown edges on leaves are often a sign that the room humidity is too low. Leaves may also fall off.

From: thespruce