The pilea peperomioides, also known as the Chinese money plant, is an absolute delight. It’s playful, pleasing to the eye, and surprisingly easy to care for.
Pilea plants grow super fast and sprout little babies that you can share with friends! Every time I look at mine, it makes me smile. There’s just something so quirky and unique about their shape.
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Table of Contents:
- Potting Pilea Plants
- How Much Water Do Pilea Plants Need?
- How Much Sunlight Do Pilea Plants Need?
- Propagating
- Fertilizing
Pilea plants, or Chinese money plants, have made their way here thanks to people sharing their “pups.” It’s fascinating to track their journey back to their origins and the person who first shared them.
Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also super easy to care for and quite resilient! Here are some simple tips for caring for your pilea:
Potting Pilea Plants
Repotting a pilea can really encourage growth. Giving it more space lets the pups spread out. Always use a pot with a drainage hole to help prevent root rot.
If you have a pot you love without a drainage hole, you can easily drill one. I prefer terracotta pots because they allow the soil to breathe a bit more than plastic ones.
You can still use plastic or glazed pots with drainage holes. If you overwater your pilea, terracotta dries out faster, which is more forgiving.
If you love a decorative pot, just slip your terracotta one inside it. For watering, take the terracotta pot out, let it drain completely, then place it back in the decorative pot.
When repotting, pour about an inch of small stones at the bottom for good drainage, to help avoid root rot. I use a well-draining potting mix you can find at any greenhouse or hardware store. My mix has a bit of fine sand to help during humid months.
How Much Water Do Pilea Plants Need?
Water your pilea moderately and let it dry out between waterings; they don’t like to stay soggy. Stick your finger in the dirt to check if it feels dry before watering again. Generally, I water mine about once a week.
If it still feels moist, give it a few more days. A friend’s pilea was drooping, and we figured it needed watering—it had dried out too long!
The plant will show you when it needs water, just keep an eye on it. Never let it sit in water; drain the excess after watering to avoid root rot.
How Much Sunlight Do Pilea Plants Need?
Pilea loves bright, indirect sunlight. Putting it under direct sun will burn it. Keep it near a bright window, but not in direct sunlight.
My mom’s pilea started to get leggy in low light. She moved it to a spot with lots of indirect light and it started thriving again. If your pilea starts leaning towards the light, just rotate it each time you water to keep it balanced.
Keep the leaves dusted with a damp cloth to help them get more light too.
Propagating
One of the best things about pilea is how fast it reproduces baby plants! The babies, or “pups,” can be cut and shared or left to grow, making the plant fuller.
I usually wait until the pup is at least three inches tall before cutting it. Use a clean, sharp knife to cut the pup gently, then either place it in water or pot it directly in dirt.
I prefer the water method to watch the roots grow. Place the glass in indirect light, and once roots show, pot it.
Fertilizing
For an extra growth boost, fertilize in spring and summer. I use a simple 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer. Add a bit to your watering can as directed on the label.