Pilea peperomioides, the plant that can make you rich
Pilea peperomioides
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Urticaceae
- Genus
- Pilea
- Species
- Chinese coin plant Pilea peperomioides
Pilea peperomioides was discovered in China's Yunnan region by a Norwegian missionary. History does not say whether this succulent from the Urticaceae family made him a millionaire upon his return to Europe. But one thing is certain: the Chinese money plant has thrived. Easy to propagate from cuttings, it is exchanged among gardeners looking for a striking, low-maintenance ornamental plant.
How can you recognize Pilea peperomioides, the Chinese money plant?
Pilea peperomioides is a perennial plant with an upright, bushy growth habit. It measures between 30 and 60 centimeters in all directions. Its thick stem is covered with evergreen stipules. Over time, it turns brown and becomes woody.
The elliptical, almost round leaves have inspired the nicknames given to Pilea peperomioides: Chinese money plant, UFO plant, pancake plant… In addition to their shape, the light-green leaf blades are distinctive for being umbilicate: they are attached to the petiole at the center rather than at the base. They are arranged in a spiral around the stem.
In the wild, small white or pinkish flowers appear in the spring. When held in the hand, they release a cloud of pollen. Pilea peperomioides is grown in our part of the world for its evergreen foliage. Flowering is rare among houseplants. If you'd like to see your Pilea bloom, you're better off choosing the Plant of Friendship.
Pilea peperomioides, like pilea depressa, is not toxic to humans or animals, even if ingested. While this houseplant has no medicinal properties, the Chinese believe it brings prosperity to those who care for it. In fact, the round shape of its leaves is a reminder of the shape of coins. If you want to make a fortune, bury a euro at the base of your plant. According to tradition, you shouldn't have to wait long to become rich. And if that doesn't work, you can always sell the many cuttings that the Chinese Money Plant is sure to produce.
Our care tips
Easy to care for, chinese money 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.
Misting
In addition to regular watering, misting prevents the plant from drying out due to heat in summer and heating in winter.
Chinese money plants do not like hard water. Prefer rainwater 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 fertilizer for green plants.
Pinch
Pinch your Pilea peperomioides during its growing season.
Chinese money plants These are not plants that are pruned. If your plant grows larger than your living room, you can pinch off the tip of the stem. The plant will stop growing upward and produce new leaves at its base.
Remember that the sap and leaves can cause irritation! Be sure to wear gloves when handling your plant.
Remember that the sap and leaves can cause irritation! Be sure to wear gloves when handling your plant.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings 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
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting method
- In pots
- Categories
- IndoorHerbaceousSucculent
- Tag
- Beginner
- Origin
- East Asia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower colors
- WhitePale pink
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