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Grow a Chinese money plant, or Pilea peperomioides, in bright, indirect light, water when the top few centimetres of compost begin to dry, and let excess water drain away. Keep it warm, repot only when its roots are crowded, and feed modestly during spring and summer. These steps help prevent common problems such as leggy growth and root rot.
What is a Chinese money plant?
Pilea peperomioides is an evergreen perennial in the nettle family, Urticaceae. It is also known as a coin plant, pancake plant, missionary plant, or UFO plant. Its distinctive round leaves sit on long stalks that attach near the center of each leaf. North Carolina State Extension describes its native range as Yunnan Province in southern China, where it grows in shady, cool mountain areas. The extension’s approximate description for the plant is 8 to 12 inches tall and equally wide; an individual houseplant’s size can vary. North Carolina State Extension: Pilea peperomioides
How to grow pilea: the everyday care routine
Choose bright, indirect light
Place the plant near a bright window, but protect it from strong direct sunshine, particularly in a south-facing room during summer. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends a north-, east-, or west-facing window, or positioning the plant back from a south-facing window. As the RHS puts it, “Pileas prefer bright but indirect light, in a warm room.” Turn the pot by about a quarter turn when you water to encourage more even growth. Insufficient light can leave a pilea leggy. Royal Horticultural Society: How to grow pilea
Keep it warm and avoid draughts
Keep the plant above 10°C (50°F) and away from cold draughts. Avoid placing it beside heat sources, too, as recommended by North Carolina State Extension. RHS growing guide · North Carolina State Extension profile
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#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Check the compost before watering
Water when the top few centimetres of compost begin to dry. Check with a finger or lift the pot: a lighter pot generally indicates that the compost has dried. Water thoroughly, then let excess drain away and empty any saucer or outer pot. Compost that stays waterlogged can damage roots and lead to root rot. There is no dependable fixed interval between waterings; drying time changes with season, light, temperature, pot size, and growing medium. Water less often in winter, when growth slows. Pileas tolerate tap water, though rainwater or filtered water is also suitable if convenient. RHS growing guide
Feed lightly in the growing season
The RHS recommends a balanced liquid fertilizer every month or two from April to September. Follow the product’s dilution directions and avoid overfeeding; fertilizer is not a cure-all for discolored leaves. RHS growing guide
When and how to repot a Chinese money plant
A newly purchased plant can usually remain in its pot for about a year unless the roots are already congested. Check in spring and repot when roots are crowded, often every couple of years. Choose peat-free multi-purpose compost and a pot only a couple of centimetres wider than the current one. A much larger pot holds more compost around the roots, which can stay wet too long and increase the risk of root rot. RHS growing guide
Rank #2
- UNIQUE APPEARANCE: Features distinctive round, coin-shaped leaves on slender stems, adding a playful and modern touch to any indoor space.
- EASY CARE: Thrives in bright, indirect light and requires only moderate watering, making it an ideal choice for both beginner and experienced plant owners.
- COMPACT SIZE: Arrives in a 4-inch nursery pot, perfectly sized for desktops, shelves, windowsills, or any small space needing a touch of greenery.
- LIVE PLANT: Each Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides) is grown and shipped as a healthy, established live plant ready to brighten your home or office.
- PROPAGATION FRIENDLY: Regularly produces offshoots, known as pups, that can be easily separated and repotted to grow new plants or share with friends.
How to propagate a UFO plant
The simplest approach is to separate the baby offsets that appear around the base of a mature plant. Spring or early summer, while the plant is actively growing, is a suitable time.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Wait until an offset is large enough to handle and pot on its own.
- Carefully detach it from the parent plant, taking care not to damage either plant unnecessarily.
- Pot the offset individually in suitable compost and care for it as you would a mature pilea.
The RHS also notes that individual leaves can root in water or moist compost, but this should not be treated as a guarantee that every leaf will establish. North Carolina State Extension lists stem cuttings as another propagation option. RHS growing guide · North Carolina State Extension profile
Pruning and keeping the plant upright
Rotate the pot regularly to limit one-sided growth as the plant reaches toward the light. In spring or summer, you can cut back tall stems to encourage new growth from the base. If an older plant has become woody and lacks vigor, the RHS suggests that replacing it with a propagated offset may be a better option. RHS growing guide
Rank #3
- Thrives in bright, indirect light and requires minimal watering, making it perfect for beginners.
- This plant helps improve indoor air quality by removing toxins and increasing oxygen levels.
- Cold Weather Protection Required (Winter): If temperatures are below 45°F anywhere along the delivery route (your location, transit states, or destination), our Cold Weather Protection add-on is required (insulation/heat pack as offered). If it’s not purchased, live arrival is not guaranteed for cold damage.
Chinese money plant problems: what the signs may mean
Leaf changes can have more than one cause, so check light, watering, and growing conditions before acting on a single symptom.
- Leggy growth: Inadequate light can cause the plant to stretch. Move it to a brighter spot with indirect light. North Carolina State Extension
- Red-brown flushing: This can indicate too much direct sun; move the plant out of harsh rays. RHS growing guide
- Curling or puckering: These signs can reflect poor growing conditions, including too much or too little water or insufficient light. Check the compost and placement rather than assuming one cause. RHS growing guide
- Yellowing between the veins: The RHS says this is usually associated with nutrient deficiency. Review the plant’s feeding routine and follow fertilizer label directions; yellowing alone does not establish a diagnosis. RHS growing guide
- Signs of root trouble: Persistently wet compost can damage roots and cause root rot. Check drainage and let the compost begin to dry before watering again. RHS growing guide
Inspect the plant periodically for sap-sucking pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, scale, and thrips. North Carolina State Extension also lists fungus gnats. RHS growing guide · North Carolina State Extension profile
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A humidifier or routine misting is not essential for this plant: the RHS says pileas grow in the relatively dry air found in homes, and North Carolina State Extension says the species tolerates average home humidity. North Carolina State Extension describes the plant as safe for pets and children; its profile does not provide an ingestion threshold or medical advice, so contact a qualified professional if a person or animal has eaten part of the plant and you are concerned. RHS growing guide · North Carolina State Extension profile
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