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Chinese Money Plant Pilea peperomioides

Phonetic Spelling
py-LEE-uh pep-er-oh-mee-OY-dees
Description

The Chinese Money Plant is a popular evergreen perennial houseplant that is native to the Yunnan Province of Southern China where it grows in the shady and cool mountain areas. It is a member of the nettle or Urticaceae family. The plant is compact, erect, and has a clumping habit. The fleshy, circular, dark green leaves are distinctive. The leaves are peltate and the long stems attach at the center of the leaf which makes them resemble a lily pad or as if they were floating on air. The plant can produce small, tall, white to pinkish, spike-like flowers; however, houseplants rarely flower. The plant usually grows about 8 to 12 inches tall and equally as wide. 

The Chinese Money Plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight, and moist, well-drained potting mix. It also thrives in moderate to high humidity, but it is tolerant of the average home's humidity levels. Cold drafts and sources of heat need to be avoided. The plant can be propagated by offsets or pups and by stem cuttings. Propagation is best done in the spring or early summer during the plant's active growth. 

The Chinese Money Plant is used primarily as an ornamental indoor houseplant. Its visual appeal and easy care make it the perfect plant for the home and office with the bonus of being safe for pets and children.

Quick ID Hints:

  • perennial with a compact, bushy, clumping habit, 8 to 12 inches tall
  • stems attach at the center of the leaf
  • glossy, circular, dark green, peltate leaves, 4 inches in diameter
  • small, whitish-pink spike-like blooms

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for spider mites, mealybugs, fungus gnats, and scale insects. They are susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Avoid wetting the foliage which can result in leaf spots. Leggy growth results from inadequate light.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#easy to grow#low maintenance#pet friendly#interesting leaves#ornamentals#container plant#perennial#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#easy to grow#low maintenance#pet friendly#interesting leaves#ornamentals#container plant#perennial#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pilea
    Species:
    peperomioides
    Family:
    Urticaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China South-Central
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are small, white to pinkish, and appear on a tall spike. Houseplants rarely flower.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Peltate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are round, peltate, fleshy, dark green, and measure 4 inches in diameter.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The long stems attach at the center of the leaf.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio