Pilea: Chinese Money Plant and Other Types — Care Guide

Pilea peperomioides, with round coin-like leaves on long stalks, has become one of the most recognisable plants in modern interiors. It is called the Chinese money plant and is often passed on to friends, because it produces plenty of babies. Here is how to care for it so the leaves stay large and flat, how to propagate it and which other pileas are worth knowing.

Pilea peperomioides and other types

Pilea is a genus of the nettle family with hundreds of species. The most popular indoors are:

• Chinese money plant (P. peperomioides) — from the mountains of Yunnan, China; round leaves up to 10 cm on slender stalks attached near the centre of the blade.
• Aluminium plant (P. cadierei) — oval leaves splashed with silver.
• Moon Valley (P. involucrata) — puckered bronze-green leaves with raised veins.
• Grey artillery plant (P. glauca) — tiny blue-grey leaves on reddish trailing stems.

Despite its name, Pilea peperomioides is not related to peperomia — they just have similar leaves.

View full-size photoPilea peperomioides often produces baby plants at its base.

Light and turning the pot

Pilea needs bright indirect light: 1–2 m from a south window or near an east or west one. Midday sun scorches the leaves; in shade the stalks stretch and leaves shrink and dull. It leans towards the window quickly, so give the pot a quarter turn every few days to keep it symmetrical. Keep it at 18–24 °C, not below 12–14 °C in winter.

Watering and feeding

Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry — about weekly in summer, less in winter. Pilea copes with slight underwatering better than overwatering: thirsty leaves droop a little but perk up after a drink. Standing water rots the stem base. Feed every 2–3 weeks from spring to autumn at half strength.

Propagating pilea babies and cuttings

• Root babies — young shoots pop up from the soil beside the mother plant. Once a baby has 3–4 leaves, dig it out gently, cut it from the root with a clean knife, keeping its own roots, and pot it up.
• Stem babies — cut them off and stand them in water; roots appear in 1–2 weeks.
• Tip cuttings — if the stem has stretched, root the top in water; the stump will produce new shoots.

Passing babies to friends and linking the plant with money is a folk tradition — see more beliefs in our houseplant names and care hub.

View full-size photoPopular Pilea species differ in leaf shape and color.

Soil and repotting

Use light, airy foliage-plant compost with perlite in a pot with drainage that is not too deep. Repot young plants every spring and mature ones every 2 years or when babies fill the pot. See how to repot houseplants.

Why pilea leaves curl

• Leaves doming downwards — usually too little light or overwatering.
• Edges curling upwards — too much direct sun or heat.
• Yellow lower leaves — natural ageing, or overwatering if widespread.
• Black spots, soft stem — rot from too much water.
• Tiny white dots under the leaves — normal mineral deposits, not pests.

Is pilea safe

Pilea is considered non-toxic to people, cats and dogs, making it a good choice for children’s rooms, desks and pet owners. More compact plants: small houseplants; browse potted plants.

FAQ

Why is pilea called the Chinese money plant?

Because of its coin-shaped leaves and Chinese origin. The link with money is just folklore.

How often should I water pilea?

When the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry — about weekly in summer, less in winter.

Why is my pilea leaning?

It grows towards the light. Turn the pot a quarter turn every few days.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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