Pilea peperomioides, the plant that can make you rich

Pilea peperomioides was discovered in the Yunnan region of China by a Norwegian missionary. History doesn't say whether this succulent member of the Urticaceae family made him a millionaire on his return to Europe. But one thing's for sure: the Chinese money plant flourished. Easy to take cuttings from, it is exchanged between gardeners looking for a graphic, undemanding ornamental plant.

How to recognize Pilea peperomioides, the Chinese coin plant?

Pilea peperomioides is an upright, bushy perennial. It measures between 30 and 60 centimetres in all directions. Its thick stem is covered with persistent stipules. Over time, it turns brown and lignifies.

Pilea peperomioides' elliptical, almost round leaves have inspired a number of nicknames: Chinese coin plant, UFO plant, pancake plant... In addition to their shape, the light-green blades are umbilicated: they are attached to the petiole from the center, not the base. They are arranged in a spiral around the stem.

In the wild, small white or pink flowers appear in spring. When held in the hand, they release a cloud of pollen. Pilea peperomioides is cultivated in our latitudes for its evergreen foliage. Its flowering is rare among houseplants. If you'd like to see your Pilea bloom, it's best to opt for the Plant of Friendship.

Pilea peperomioides, like pilea depressa, is not toxic to humans or animals, even when ingested. Although this green plant has no medicinal virtues, the Chinese believe it brings prosperity to those who nurture it. Indeed, the roundness of its leaves is reminiscent of coins. If you want to make your fortune, bury a euro at the foot of your specimen. It's believed that it won't be long before you're rich. And if that doesn't work, you can always resell the many cuttings that the Chinese coin plant is sure to offer you.

Our maintenance tips

Easy to care for, chinese coin plant needs light and regular watering.

It appreciates the sun so much that it turns towards it. To keep your plant's stem upright, rotate your pot a quarter turn every month.

From May onwards, take your Pilea peperomioides out onto your balcony or windowsill. Just be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight or temperatures below 12 degrees.

Watering

Keep the soil in your Chinese coin plant always fresh. When the substrate is one to two centimeters dry, you can water.

Use room-temperature, non-calcareous water. What's best? Recovered rainwater. If you don't have any, you can use filtered water. You can also use tap water, provided you let it stand for a while.

After watering, empty the water stagnating at the bottom of the dish. It may rot the roots.

Spray

In addition to regular watering, misting prevents the plant from drying out due to heat in summer and heating in winter.

Chinese currency plants do not like hard water. Preferrainwater or filtered water.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Pilea peperomioides to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

In a pierced terracotta pot, pour a layer of clay balls for drainage. Then add a substrate for houseplants. Add sand or perlite to the substrate.

Place your Pilea peperomioides in the center of the pot and top up with potting soil to within two centimeters of the rim. Pack gently and water for the first time.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

During the growing season, feed your Pilea peperomioides with a green plant fertilizer.

Pinch

Pinch your Pilea peperomioides during its growing season.

Chinese currency plants are not plants to be pruned. If yours grows beyond the size of your living room, you can pinch off the end of the stem. The plant will stop growing vertically and produce new leaves at the base.

Don't forget that sap and leaves can cause irritation! Remember to wear gloves when handling your plant.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Remove the shoots that form at the base of the plant with their roots. Proceed delicately, with your hands or a clean knife, to avoid damaging the root system.

Pour a drainage layer (gravel, clay balls, pozzolan, etc.) of one to two centimeters into a bucket or small pierced pot. Add a draining substrate, such as universal potting soil mixed with sand.

Make a pilot hole and plant the cutting. Do not bury the leaves. Press lightly and water.

Disease / Threat

Red spiders

Information

Family	Urticaceae - Urticaceae
Type	Pilea - Pilea
Species	Chinese coin plant - Pilea peperomioides
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Herbaceous Succulent
Tag	Beginner
Origin	East Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	11a
Leaf color
Flower colors