Growing Pilea Peperomioides - Your Ultimate Guide To This Popular Houseplant

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It's commonplace for houseplant trends to change every year. However, only certain specimens manage to hog the limelight and retain it. Case in point: Pilea peperomioides gained a massive following on Instagram in 2017. Its avant-garde looks even earned it fun monikers like the UFO or pancake plant. Truly, though, it's best known as Chinese money plant. Hailing from China's Yunnan province, it has coin-shaped leaves that symbolize abundance and are considered a good omen.

Pilea peperomioides' unpredictable commercial availability further drove its popularity — you had to be a part of the plant world's "it circle" to get your hands on the expensive cuttings. But with homeowners finally ditching high-maintenance houseplants for easier alternatives and plant sellers trying to stay on-trend, it has started showing up at big box stores and even online. Considering this beauty is easy to grow, thrives in typical home conditions, and happens to be a safe houseplant for your pets, its place on our window sills or bookshelves seems unshakeable. Feel like bringing the missionary plant (another one of its nicknmes) home? Here's all you need to know about successfully growing Pilea peperomioides.

​​In its native habitat, Pilea peperomioides grows in cool, shaded, mountainous areas and isn't a big fan of sunlight. In fact, direct contact with the sun's rays can result in discolored or burnt leaves. So, pop the containers in an area receiving bright, indirect light — say, a west or an east-facing window. To make a south-facing window work, put up a sheer curtain or house the plant about 3 feet away, so its foliage doesn't face the rays directly.

That being said, you don't want to locate your Chinese money plant in too dark a spot, or it'll stretch out in search of sunlight. Plus, the new leaves will be smaller and far more spaced out than usual, making for a poor appearance. If you find that happening, fit the spot with the best grow lights for indoor plants, like Aokrean's Plant Grow Light, to encourage your houseplant to get back in shape. Also, rotate the plant every other day or so, or when you water it, by about 45 degrees to keep the growth balanced. Since it grows fast, Pilea peperomioides tends to sprout leaves in the same direction, leading to asymmetrical growth. This can be inconvenient unless you want the plant cascading down its container.

Pilea peperomioides' growing medium is key to determining whether it will thrive or fail. To help its roots breathe unimpeded and not rot away, water shouldn't pool in the pot after you've given it a good soak. In other words, the potting mix should offer good drainage.

Ideally, try to offer them a succulent or a cacti mix, like Hoffman's Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix. But if you have soilless mixes handy, amend them when you're planting Pilea cuttings or repotting them. Consider mixing perlite, like Espoma Organic Perlite, into the potting mix, so it accounts for about ⅓ of the total blend. These white fluffy balls made of volcanic minerals allow fast drainage, yet hold on well to oxygen, and are especially useful for homeowners who tend to overwater their plants. But if you have coarse sand or pumice on hand, you can use that instead of perlite. Peat-based compost mixes are another excellent option.

Whichever option you opt for, avoid growing your Chinese money plant in garden soil, or it will turn into one of the biggest mistakes you're making with your container garden. Since bacteria, weed seeds, or harmful insects harbor in garden soils, you risk introducing them to your prized money plants.

Since Pilea peperomioides has a fine root system, don't risk placing it in a large pot. Otherwise, it'll spend its resources on growing its root system, instead of developing its lily pad-shaped leaves. So, go with a 3 to 4-inch-wide, shallow pot. Even when you need to change the pot, only go one size up to keep the growth proportionate.

As mentioned, Chinese money plant enjoys good drainage, so opt for pots that come with a drainage hole or drill one before planting. Also, pay attention to the pot's material. Although terracotta pots look spectacular, your plants may require frequent watering when paired with a perlite-amended potting mix. Otherwise, the material's moisture-wicking tendencies may become dominant, leaving your pancake plants dry. One way to make this material work is to keep your plants in a nursery pot and then pop it in an ornate terracotta container.

Unlike tropical plants, you don't have to constantly mist Chinese money plants to maintain high humidity levels. They'll survive just fine in typical home conditions. But you need to be cautious about their position. Don't locate them in front of any heat sources, including dry vents, as they're one of the worst spots in your home for indoor plants. This hot air will parch the foliage, causing browning and curling around the edges. Such stressed plants can also become susceptible to spider mites.

If you notice any symptoms or feel the indoor air is quite dry, consider upping the humidity levels around the plant through daily misting. This should also help the leaves maintain an even, lean look rather than appearing cupped or vaulted. Another option is to set down your pot over a water-filled pebble tray. However, make sure the roots aren't in direct contact with the water, or they'll drown and rot.

If you're guilty of killing your houseplants through overwatering, Pilea peperomioides has your back. Its leaves naturally droop down when they're feeling thirsty and perk right up once given the desired soak. So, just keep an eye on your pancake plants to know when you should water them. But if you are new to gardening or still feel unsure, dip your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil and feel it. If it's dry, that's your cue to water. If you aren't too keen on getting dirt on your hands, use the General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter to determine your potting medium's moisture levels.

Overall, unless your home is super dry and warm, you'll only need to water your Chinese money plant every week or two. But when the plant stops putting active growth during winter, reduce watering, or the roots may become waterlogged. Overwatered plants bear yellow foliage atop black stalks.

Moreover, give Pilea peperomioides distilled water only. Tap water typically contains salts and chemicals that may accumulate on the plant as white deposits, giving you some grief. But if you insist on using it, leave it out in a container overnight. Perch your pots in this container for 30 minutes to bottom water your houseplants. Avoid splashing water on the foliage, or they may develop leaf spots.

To keep your Chinese money plant happy and thriving, you must fertilize it. This will also encourage it to produce new babies (or "pups," per scientific convention), which you can later harvest for more Pilea peperomioides.

Regarding feeding, any balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer, such as Bonide Houseplant Liquid Plant Food, diluted by half would do. Pour the fertilizer at ½ the prescribed dose once a month when the indoor plant is actively growing. Give fertilization a rest when the cold months roll in or when you notice the plant isn't producing any more green leaves (this indicates dormancy). That being said, if you've recently repotted your plant or recently planted any new cuttings, avoid applying any fertilizer for three months. This will give the delicate, new roots sufficient time to make themselves comfy in the new pot without undergoing fertilizer burn.

Like most houseplants, Pilea peperomioides can't escape the clutches of a few nasty pests, especially spider mites. Since these arachnids are tiny, it's difficult to identify them. However, you'll know they're in action if you spot any white webs on the foliage. Signs of speckling or yellowing should further indicate that they're sucking the plants dry of nutrients, stressing them. If in doubt, slide a white paper underneath an affected leaf and flick it. If you notice any dust (that moves!) on the paper, know spider mites are active. Get rid of spider mites by spraying water down the foliage and wiping it dry afterward. But if the infestation persists, use neem oil or horticultural sprays weekly. This is also your cue to start misting your plant because these nuisance pests are more active in dry conditions.

Additionally, monitor the plant growth for mealybugs and scales. Mealybugs are tiny insects coated in a white fuzzy covering, with a penchant to hide between leafy folds. They also gravitate toward plants over-fertilized with nitrogen. So, take stock of your fertilization regime when you detect their presence. On the other hand, scales will riddle your leaves with a sticky substance, "honeydew," that may leak through on the floor. Dip a cotton swab in 35% isopropyl alcohol to treat these insects. Overwatered or poorly-draining soils may become breeding grounds for fungus gnats — you can catch them through sticky traps.

Although Pilea peperomioides is mostly celebrated for its foliage, it has the capacity to bloom. Around spring, it produces thin flower spikes covered in whitish-pink petals that aren't highly ornamental, but have a distinctive form. But because indoor conditions are regulated, they generally don't receive the cold exposure necessary to produce flower buds.

If you'd like to induce flowering in your Chinese money plants, consider moving them to a colder area during the winter, preferably a space that's unheated. You should strive to provide them temperatures approximating 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but don't go below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or the plant will perish. Also, ensure that the potting soil is fully dry before you move it to minimize the risk of dieback. This should stress the plant enough to produce flowers to secure its legacy. Note that Chinese money plants can self-pollinate, and you may notice puffs of pollen flying about during this time. Basically, this can worsen allergies. Also, the male flowers may not open at times, despite budding out. Hold them gently in your palm to encourage unfurling, but be prepared for a pollen spray.

When a plant has nicknames like friendship plant or pass-it-along plant, you can rest assured it'll be easy to propagate. Indeed, Pilea peperomioides produces many pups or daughter plants along the main stem's base, effectively cloning itself. If you like a lush look, leave the pups be and allow them to grow heartily in the container. But if you'd like to pass this plant along or would like to build a collection of Pilea plants, you can harvest these babies.

To propagate Pilea peperomioides, simply tug the pups growing at the soil level when they are at least 2 inches tall, or cut their cord with a clean, sterilized pair of pruners. They'll come right off. Pop them in water to encourage rooting or directly pot them in moist soil. To maximize their chances of survival, always opt for the biggest pup and undertake this activity in early spring. This will give it ample time to develop before winter sets in.

Despite the best care and attention, your Pilea peperomioides may grow sparse in its lower regions with age, thanks to all the leaf shedding. Other times, it may grow too leggy if you haven't had the time to rotate it. Exposure to cold drafts may also cause the plant to drop its leaves, which may never grow back, save for at the top, even if the plant is rescued.

When in such a predicament, get a stem cutting. Depending on your plant's condition, you can splice off the top leafy section and place it in a water container. That way, you can keep track of the root growth (should happen within a week) and move the plants in the prepared pot when the roots are about 1 inch long. In case you're dealing with a leggy stem, sever it around the 6-inch mark, making sure it has a few nodes. Place it in water, ensuring there's direct contact only at the lowest node. It should be ready to be potted after two months. But if you want to directly plant it in soil, consider dipping the cutting in a rooting hormone to encourage faster growth. This technique can also work to propagate new plants if you don't want to share your pups just yet, but do so by late spring.

While Pilea peperomioides is undoubtedly low maintenance, there are two things you shouldn't neglect if you want it to remain healthy and vigorous: dusting and pinching. Even though indoors, plants can develop a layer of dirt, which can interfere with photosynthesis, due to poor light intake. In case you've been watering it with tap water, salt deposits may accumulate on the foliage, impeding its growth. If you're dealing with any pest infestation, they may choose to build their webs in these plants, too, which can be problematic.

The best way to deal with this situation is to clean your dusty houseplants with a damp cloth. Be sure to undertake this activity every month. Simultaneously, treat this monthly endeavor as an opportunity to spruce up your houseplant's looks. Pinch off any yellow, dried, or curled leaves that may be taking away from the overall appearance during the growing season. Despite what you see on social media, avoid coating the leaves in oils to bring about a more polished look — they would block out light, adversely affecting plant growth.

While Pilea peperomioides don't particularly mind being a tad overcrowded in the pot (blame all the babies), they benefit from repotting both below and above ground. Being in a bigger pot will allow the roots to develop farther, while the pups will have more space to grow (and you'll have more plants to pot or share). Ideally, you should repot every time you notice their roots growing out of the drainage hole or girdling inside the pot. Soils growing dry relatively sooner, even though the weather conditions or the soil mix have remained the same, can also indicate it's time to bring in new soil. Repotting annually or every couple of years should also bring in a fresh dose of nutrients, stimulating rapid growth.

When you're ready to repot your favorite plants — ideally, in spring, so there's sufficient growth window — start by clipping off old, droopy, or discolored leaves and stems. Ease the plant out of the container, rake away the old media from the roots, and cut out any damaged or rotted portions. In a new container (should be about 2 inches wider than the previous one), decant the new potting mix and balance the plant at the same previous depth. This will add sufficient room for growth without compromising the soil's drainage capacity. Remember, you don't need to repot a newly bought Pilea peperomioides. Give it at least six months before transplanting into new soil.

If you've recently added Pilea peperomioides to your houseplant collection, don't get worked up if it drops a few leaves. It's usually a response to the change in its environment. It'll bounce back in no time when given optimal conditions. Moreover, as the Chinese money plant ages, it'll drop old leaves (they appear pale or yellow) to create space for new growth. This is usually most common around fall when it's slowing down its growth.

However, if your plant is going through a serious defoliation, evaluate the growth conditions. Check whether the stems are mushy and soft. If so, hold back on water. In case you observe this phenomenon during fall, your plants may be exposed to cold drafts or the temperatures around the window might have dipped to near-freezing (due to microclimate). Move them to a more heated spot. Expect new leaves on the stems' tops during spring. You can also rejuvenate the plant by taking a stem cutting and repotting it.