A Deep Dive into Pilea Peperomioides Care: Growing and Propagating the Chinese Money Plant
Hello Plant Enthusiasts! 🌿
Today, let's explore the fascinating world of Pilea peperomioides, commonly known as the Chinese Money Plant or Pancake Plant. This popular houseplant is cherished for its round, coin-shaped leaves and easy-going nature. With a little care and attention, your Pilea can become a statement piece in your indoor garden. In this newsletter, we'll take a deep dive into the care, growing, and propagation of this delightful plant.
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Light Requirements
Pilea peperomioides thrive in bright, indirect light. Place your plant near a north or east-facing window, where it will receive plenty of sunlight without the risk of scorching its leaves. Too much direct sunlight can cause leaf burn, while insufficient light may lead to leggy growth and smaller leaves.
These plants lean ALOT. Make sure to rotate your plant every week or so to ensure even growth on all sides or you will end up with a very lopsided plant.
Watering and Humidity
Chinese Money Plants prefer evenly moist soil but are quite forgiving if you occasionally forget to water them. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering and root rot. During the growing season, usually spring and summer, you may need to water more frequently. Just remember to feel the soil before watering. If it’s still damp, wait and try again in a few days.
To keep up with the watering requirements for this plant, I have been experimenting with a self-watering pot. More on that at the bottom of this newsletter!
Pilea peperomioides don't require high humidity, but it appreciates a little extra moisture in the air if possible. I don’t do anything extra for my plant when it comes to humidity. If you are comfortable in your home, this plant probably will be too. If you happen to live in a high-humidity location, that is just a little benefit for your plant!
Soil and Fertilization
Well-draining soil is crucial for Pilea peperomioides. Choose a potting mix that includes perlite or vermiculite to promote drainage and prevent waterlogging. You can also create your own mix by combining equal parts of potting soil, perlite, and peat moss.
During the growing season, fertilize your Chinese Money Plant every couple of weeks with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength or less. I prefer to fertilize more often with a very diluted mix because there is less of a chance of burning or shocking your plant AND it gives it a consistent stream of nutrients.
Propagation
One of the most exciting aspects of Pilea peperomioides care is propagating new plants from the "pups" or offsets that grow at the base of the mother plant. Here's how to do it:
Locate a healthy pup that has developed a few roots and leaves. Gently remove it from the soil with a clean, sharp knife or your fingers.
Allow the pup to air dry for a few hours to form a callus over the cut, which helps prevent rotting.
Plant the pup in a small pot filled with moist, well-draining soil.
Keep the new plant in a warm, bright spot with indirect light, and maintain consistent moisture.
After a few weeks, the pup should establish its root system and begin to grow.
Here is a picture of what a pup looks like after just popping out of the soil.
Common Pests and Problems
Pilea peperomioides are relatively pest-resistant, but it's essential to keep an eye out for common houseplant pests like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Check your plant regularly for signs of infestation and treat promptly with insecticidal soap if needed.
If you notice yellowing leaves or leaf drop, adjust your watering schedule and ensure that your plant is receiving adequate light. Remember that a bit of trial and error is normal when learning the specific needs of your Pilea peperomioides.
It is very common for some leaves to drop naturally from this plant. I pick a few dried-up leaves off of my plant every week or so. As the plant grows and produces new leaves, the older leaves lower on the stem dry up and fall off. It’s not a problem as long as only the oldest leaves are the ones dropping.
If you are worried about excessive leaf drop, you can move your plant to a slightly brighter location and fertilize it a little bit. This can give it the extra nutrients and energy it needs to produce new leaves AND hold on to the older ones.
Bonus: My Pilea Experiment
I have been growing a Pilea peperomioides in a potting medium called Pon and have it in a self-watering pot. This started off as an experiment but I think I’ll leave it like this long term. Below are my results.
When I first got this plant it was in whatever soil the nursery originally sold it in (I bought it at a big box store). I kept it in the same soil and pot for quite a while.
I eventually changed it to a self-watering pot, as shown below, but kept the same soil type. This worked for a while but issues can arise when using self-watering pots and normal soil. These pots keep the soil constantly damp, and all the organic material can start to mold if not cared for properly.
Based on pictures in my camera roll, somewhere around August of 2022 I changed the planting medium to Pon and moved it to a larger pot. This is the only picture I have, but I know when I moved it to this pot that the planting medium changed as well. I opted for a non-organic medium like Pon because there is nothing in it to mold or decay. It can handle being damp all the time with no issues and still allows oxygen to get to the plant’s roots.
So since August, this plant has grown from the picture above, to the picture below. You can see the crazy growth!
It is definitely outgrowing its current spot but I haven’t decided if I want to move it or just trim it way back. Maybe I will cut a pup off it like mentioned in the guide above and start over :)
If you are curious about Pon, read my newsletter on the topic below.
Final Notes
Now you're all set to grow and propagate your very own Chinese Money Plant! With proper care and attention, your Pilea peperomioides will reward you with its eye-catching, coin-shaped leaves and an abundance of pups to share with friends and fellow plant enthusiasts. We hope this deep dive into Pilea care has given you the confidence to embark on your own Chinese Money Plant journey.
Don't forget to share your Pilea peperomioides success stories and photos with our plant-loving community on social media. We'd love to see your thriving plants and hear about your propagation adventures!
Stay tuned for more plant care tips, tricks, and inspiration in upcoming newsletters. Until next time, happy growing, and may your indoor garden flourish! 🌱
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This Week’s Happy Planter Submission
My name is Tony Yost and my favorite plant is(very common) Monstera Deliciosa! Reason being is it’s the icon of houseplants mainly for its stunning leaves and fenestrations. I always recommend these to beginners being the are easy to take care of and propagate. These rapid growers will always have a special place in my heart and always have a home in my collections.
Thanks for sharing your plant with us, Tony! I really like the Monstera Deliciosa too but I have no idea what I’m going to do with mine when I eventually move. It’s getting HUGE! They are certainly rapid growers.
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