Chinese Money Plant Care (Pilea peperomioides): Light, Watering and Propagation

The Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is a compact houseplant with round, glossy, coin-like leaves on long stalks. It’s easy to grow and produces plenty of pups, which is why grower Costa Farms sells it as a “sharing plant”: the babies are easy to pass on to friends. The RHS calls it by far the most popular pilea sold as a houseplant.

How to identify a Chinese money plant

Pilea belongs to the nettle family (Urticaceae). Kew’s Plants of the World Online gives its native range as China, in southwestern Sichuan and western Yunnan. NC State Extension notes it grows there in shady, cool mountain areas.

The leaves are round, fleshy and mid to dark green, up to 4 inches across according to the RHS. The stalk attaches to the center of the leaf’s underside, so each leaf looks like a small umbrella or pancake. NC State Extension gives a typical size of 8–12 inches tall, while the RHS says it can reach 12 inches or more, with the stem turning woody at the base over time. Costa Farms says it rarely gets much bigger than 18 inches tall and wide, which makes it a good desk or windowsill plant. Pups appear around the base as the plant matures.

It goes by many common names: Chinese money plant, pancake plant, UFO plant and missionary plant, which is the name the RHS uses.

Light

The RHS recommends bright but indirect light in a warm room, ideally near a north-, east- or west-facing window. In a south-facing room, keep it back from the glass, especially in summer. Costa Farms notes that direct sun can cause bleached patches, and the RHS says too much sun gives the leaves a red-brown flush.

In low light the leaves turn pale and the plant stretches. NC State Extension lists leggy growth as the typical sign of not enough light. The leaves also turn toward the window, so the RHS suggests rotating the pot regularly to keep your pilea growing straight and symmetrical.

Watering

The RHS advises watering once the top few centimeters of compost start to dry out, and discarding any excess so the roots don’t sit in water. Rainwater or filtered water is best, but pilea tolerates tap water.

Costa Farms calls it a relatively thirsty houseplant, so in a bright spot in summer it may need water once a week or more. NC State Extension warns that overwatering leads to root rot, so check the soil rather than following a schedule. Try to keep water off the leaves: NC State Extension notes that wet foliage can develop leaf spots.

Soil and repotting

The RHS recommends peat-free multipurpose compost and a pot only a couple of centimeters wider than the root ball. Check the roots each spring and repot when they’re crowded, usually every couple of years. NC State Extension suggests a well-draining mix with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Repotting is also a good time to separate any pups.

Humidity and temperature

According to the RHS, pilea tolerates the relatively dry air found in most homes and doesn’t need extra humidity. NC State Extension adds that it thrives in moderate to high humidity but handles average household levels.

The RHS says to keep it above 50°F (10°C) at all times and away from cold drafts. NC State Extension also recommends keeping it away from heat sources like radiators.

Fertilizer

The RHS recommends a balanced liquid fertilizer every month or two from April to September, diluted as the label directs. Costa Farms suggests an even simpler option: a sprinkle of time-release fertilizer once a year in spring.

How to propagate a Chinese money plant

Pilea is easy to propagate. NC State Extension recommends doing it in spring or early summer while the plant is actively growing.

Pups (the easiest method):

1. Wait until a pup at the base of the plant has grown a few leaves of its own.
2. Gently move the soil aside and cut the pup away with a clean knife, keeping its roots.
3. Pot it in a small container of moist potting mix.
4. Keep it in bright light out of direct sun, and water when the top layer dries.

If a pup comes away without roots, stand it in a glass of water and pot it up once roots develop.

Stem cuttings: NC State Extension lists stem cuttings as another propagation method.

Leaf cuttings: The RHS notes that single leaves of P. peperomioides will root in water or in pots of moist compost.

Common problems

Symptom	Cause	Fix
Plant leaning toward the window	leaves follow the light	rotate the pot regularly
Long stalks, leggy growth, pale leaves	not enough light	brighter spot out of direct sun
Red-brown leaves, bleached patches	too much direct sun	move back from the window
Curling leaves	poor conditions (light, water, temperature)	check watering, light and drafts
Spots on leaves	water on the foliage	water at the soil line
Wilting, soft base	overwatering, root rot	let it dry out, use a smaller pot and free-draining mix
Webbing, white fluff, tiny flies	spider mites, mealybugs, fungus gnats	see spider mites, mealybugs, fungus gnats

NC State Extension also lists scale insects as a possible pest.

Toxicity

The ASPCA lists the Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) among non-toxic succulents, and NC State Extension describes it as safe for pets and children. That makes it a good choice for homes with cats or dogs. Still, the ASPCA points out that eating any plant can cause vomiting or stomach upset, and Costa Farms recommends keeping it out of reach of pets and kids who like to nibble. See our list of houseplants toxic to cats and dogs.