Chinese Money Plant Care Guide (with Photos)

The Chinese Money Plant has risen in popularity over the past few years, and it’s easy to see why – those cute, coin-shaped leaves are irresistible! As one of the easiest houseplants to care for, it’s no wonder the Pilea peperomioides has become one of my favorite low-maintenance greens. Their effortless nature and bubbly look brighten up any home.

• Pros
  • Very low maintenance
  • Cute succulent-like leaves
  • Fast-growing
  • Non-toxic
• Cons
  • Can get leggy without proper pruning and training

Appearance of the Chinese Money Plant

Chinese Money Plants form bushy clumps of perfectly round, flat leaves that resemble coins stacked neatly on top of each other. The leaves emerge bright green with contrasting red undersides, providing striking color. They grow rapidly in optimum conditions, forming dense mounds 6-10″ tall. Their unique foliage adds an eccentric touch to any decor.

• Leaves: Round, flat, coin-like appearance up to 1″ wide
• Color: Bright green topside, deep red underside
• Size: Dense mounds 6-10″ tall

Great for People who:

Love low-effort plants like succulents but want something less spiky. Their forgiving nature makes them ideal for busy schedules too.

Great for these Spaces:

Brightly lit kitchens, bathrooms, or offices where their playful look adds levity. Works well on desks or shelves.

Caring for the Chinese Money Plant

Chinese Money Plants are incredibly easy to care for. I find they’re happiest when the soil dries slightly between waterings. Be sure drainage holes allow excess water to pass through. Pileas also love sunlight but tolerate low light well. Their needs are simple – just don’t overwater!

• Water when top 1” is dry
• Tolerates low light but thrives in sunlight

Toxicity Level of the Chinese Money Plant

All parts of the Chinese Money Plant are considered non-toxic. However, like most houseplants, it’s better to keep them out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion.

Light Requirements for the Chinese Money Plant

While Chinese Money Plants thrive on a sunny windowsill, receiving at least 4-6 hours of direct or indirect light, they are also very tolerant of lower light conditions. Their leaves may become loose and leggy without sufficient light but won’t die. East or west facing exposures suit them perfectly. They grow well under fluorescent office lighting too.

Light Conditions	Effect on Chinese Money Plant
Bright Indirect Light	Ideal – produces dense foliage
Low Light	Tolerates but may become leggy
Direct Sunlight	Can tolerate a few hours but prefers bright filtered sunlight

Watering the Chinese Money Plant

Chinese Money Plants like to dry out slightly between waterings. I find checking every 5-7 days by poking my finger an inch into the soil works well. Water thoroughly when the top inch feels dry. Be sure to dump any excess water from the outer pot or saucer. Avoid soggy soil which causes droopy leaves. Consistency is key for thriving Pileas.

1. Check soil every 5-7 days
2. Water thoroughly when top inch feels dry
3. Remove any standing water

Fertilizing the Chinese Money Plant

These fast growers enjoy an occasional boost, but don’t require heavy feeding. In the spring and summer, I use a diluted liquid fertilizer monthly. In the fall and winter, switch to every 6-8 weeks. Flush out any fertilizer residue from the drainage holes. Refeeding encourages continued dense growth.

Month	Recommended Dosage
Spring/Summer	Dilute liquid monthly
Fall/Winter	Dilute liquid every 6-8 weeks

Potting the Chinese Money Plant

Pileas enjoy being slightly root bound and do well in containers. Repot in spring every 1-2 years using a well-draining potting mix. Disturb the root ball minimally and replant so the top of roots is level with the soil surface. A 4-6″ pot allows ample room for growth. Refresh topsoil annually to optimize vigor.

1. Repot every 1-2 years in spring
2. Use potting mix with drainage
3. Top of roots level with soil
4. 4-6″ pot provides room to grow

Propagation of the Chinese Money Plant

Chinese Money plants are easily propagated through stem cuttings. In spring or summer, cut 4-6” sections below a set of leaves and remove leaves from the bottom half to dry. Place cuttings in water until roots form from the nodes in 1-4 weeks. Pot rooted cuttings to create more full Pileas.

1. Take 4-6″ stem cuttings in spring/summer
2. Remove bottom leaves, place in water
3. Pot when roots emerge 1-4 weeks later

Growth and Development of the Chinese Money Plant

Pileas grow rapidly when conditions are optimal. They flourish with medium to bright indirect sunlight, consistent moisture, and room to spread out. The ideal temperature range is 65-80°F. To encourage bushiness, regularly pinch or prune the stem tips back to the node above a set of leaves. This promotes branching for fuller containers.

• Bright indirect light
• 65-80°F temperature
• Moisture-retentive soil
• Pinch stems for bushiness

Managing Pests and Diseases for the Chinese Money Plant

These resilient plants are generally quite sturdy and resistant to issues if underlying needs are met. Watch for signs of pests like spider mites under magnification. Yellow leaves could indicate overwatering. Keep plants in mesh baskets to prevent soil-borne diseases if repotting. Contact me if you need assistance troubleshooting any problems!

Complimentary Plants with your Chinese Money Plant

• Pothos
• Philodendron
• Spider Plant
• Snake Plant
• ZZ Plant

With their charismatic round leaves and lenient nature, Chinese Money Plants add visual interest to any space. Their willingness to thrive in various conditions makes them ideal for novice or forgetful plant parents too. Give them occasional pruning and fertilizer for continued compact growth. I hope you’ll enjoy this playful addition!

Happy gardening!