The Chinese money plant, with its round, coin-like leaves, is as charming as it is easy to grow. If you’re looking for a plant that brings both style and good vibes into your home, here’s how to care for it.
Table of Contents
Light
Your Chinese Money Plant wants plenty of bright, indirect light. Direct sun? Not so much—it’ll scorch those leaves fast.
An east-facing window is usually perfect. If all you’ve got is a south-facing one, just pull the plant back a bit so it’s not in the line of fire. Filtered light helps keep the leaves looking their best.
When the plant starts stretching or looks leggy, it’s probably begging for more light. Rotate your Pilea every week or so; it’ll help keep things growing evenly instead of leaning to one side.
For darker corners, a table lamp with an LED grow bulb can be a lifesaver, especially in the winter when sunlight disappears. Watch for pale or crispy spots (too much light) or dropping leaves and slow growth (not enough). Move it around until it seems happy.
Soil
Well-draining, loose soil is the name of the game for Pilea. You want something that holds a bit of moisture but dries out reasonably quickly. Heavy, dense soil? That’s just asking for trouble.
Look for a houseplant potting mix with perlite or pumice mixed in. If your soil feels heavy, toss in more perlite. The ideal pH sits between 6.0 and 7.0—nothing too acidic or alkaline, or you’ll see yellow leaves and stunted growth.
Drainage holes in your pot are a must. Waterlogged roots are a nightmare for Pilea. Skip anything clay-heavy; it just holds too much water and never seems to dry out.
Refresh the top layer of soil each spring. It keeps things healthy and helps avoid a build-up of minerals over time.
Water
Chinese Money Plants like their soil lightly moist, but not soggy. Stick your finger in the top inch—if it’s dry, go ahead and water. Too much water is a common killer, so don’t let it sit in a puddle.
Always let extra water drain out. If there’s water in the saucer, dump it. In spring and summer, you’ll probably water more often since the plant’s growing faster. Come winter, cut back—growth slows, and overwatering gets risky.
Room temperature tap water usually works fine, but if your water’s super hard or treated, filtered water can help prevent leaf spots. When the plant gets too dry, the leaves droop (they usually perk up after a drink). But if they’re yellow and mushy, you might be overdoing it with the watering can.
Adjust your watering to your home and your plant’s mood. Dry air or lots of sun means more frequent watering. A pebble tray with water nearby can bump up humidity a bit if things get dry.
There’s no perfect schedule—just pay attention and you’ll figure out what it needs.
Temperature And Humidity
Keep your Pilea in a comfortable range—65°F to 85°F is ideal. Avoid cold drafts and don’t stick it right next to a heater or radiator.
Average home humidity is usually enough, but the plant does enjoy a little extra moisture in the air (above 50% is nice). If your place is super dry, a tray of water and pebbles under the pot can help. Sudden temperature swings aren’t great, so try to keep things steady.
Warmer rooms with a bit more humidity seem to keep the Chinese Money Plant happiest, at least in my experience.
Fertilizer
Feed your Chinese Money Plant during spring and summer, about once a month with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer. In the cooler months, slow down or even skip it—growth tapers off and the plant doesn’t need much.
Pick something labeled balanced (like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) and use it at half strength. Too much fertilizer is worse than too little; you’ll see yellow leaves or a crust on the soil if you overdo it. If that happens, flush the pot with water and let it drain out well.
Organic options like fish emulsion or seaweed extract work too, just keep them weak. Jot down when you feed your plant so you don’t forget and accidentally double up.
If the leaves start looking weird or unhappy, tweak your feeding routine. The plant will usually let you know if something’s off.
Propagation
Propagating Chinese Money Plant is honestly pretty fun. The plant sends up little “pups” or offshoots near the base. Once those pups have at least a couple of leaves and some height, you can snip them off with clean scissors or a knife—just go easy so you don’t disturb the main roots.
Stick the pup in a small pot with moist, well-draining soil. Keep it just damp, not wet, and put it somewhere with bright, indirect light. Roots usually show up within a few weeks. Once it’s settled in, treat it like an adult plant. Spring or early summer is the best time to do this, since the plant’s already in growth mode.
Honestly, sharing Pilea pups with friends is half the fun. It’s quick, satisfying, and a nice way to grow your collection.
Pruning
Regular pruning keeps your Chinese Money Plant looking neat and balanced. Snip off dead or yellowing leaves as soon as you spot them, using clean, sharp scissors. Always cut at the base of the leaf stem—no need to go hacking away at healthy parts.
If your plant starts to look lopsided, trim a few leaves from the fuller side. Rotating the pot every few days helps too. Taking off small shoots at the base can help encourage larger leaves up top, and you can use those cuttings to grow new plants. Just pop them in water until they root, then move them to soil.
After winter, a little extra pruning helps your Pilea bounce back. But don’t get carried away—never remove more than a third of the leaves at once, or you’ll stress it out.
Potting And Repotting
Pick a pot with drainage holes—your Pilea hates soggy feet. Use a well-draining potting mix, something peat-based or just a good all-purpose houseplant soil. Repot when you see roots circling the bottom or poking out the drainage holes. Spring’s the best time, since the plant’s gearing up for new growth.
Go up just one or two inches in pot size—too big, and the soil stays wet too long. Fill the new pot with fresh soil, set the plant in, and fill around the sides. Water thoroughly after repotting and keep an eye out for any signs of stress in the first couple weeks. Hold off on fertilizer right after the move; let it settle in first.
If you spot any pups during repotting, gently separate them and pot them up on their own. Only repot when necessary—some plants are fine in the same pot for a few years. After repotting, keep the soil moist but don’t drown it.
Common Problems & Troubleshooting
If your Chinese Money Plant has yellowing leaves, there’s a good chance it’s getting too much water or sitting in soggy soil. Double-check that your pot has drainage holes—seriously, it’s amazing how often that’s the culprit. Let the soil dry out before you reach for the watering can again.
Leaves looking limp or droopy? That could mean either too much or too little water. Honestly, just stick your finger in the soil—if it’s bone dry, your plant’s thirsty. If it’s wet, hold off on watering. Adjusting your routine with the seasons can really help.
Brown or crispy leaf edges? That’s usually a sign your plant wants more humidity. You could try moving it closer to a humidifier, or just bunch it up with some other plants. Sometimes that little microclimate makes all the difference.
If the new leaves are coming in small or just not growing, it might not be getting enough light, or maybe it needs a nutrient boost. Try shifting it to a brighter spot (but not in direct sunlight), and feed it with a balanced fertilizer during its active growing months.
Pests like spider mites and aphids can sneak up on you. Flip a few leaves and look for tiny bugs or webs. If you spot anything, just wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and, if needed, go for some insecticidal soap. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
Plant Varieties
If you’re hunting for Chinese Money Plant varieties, you’ll mostly run into Pilea peperomioides—that’s the classic and the one everyone knows. It’s what you’ll see in most shops and plant swaps, honestly. Pretty much every houseplant labeled as a Chinese Money Plant comes from this one species.
Still, there are a few twists out there. Some growers manage to offer variegated versions, with creamy or white splashes on the leaves. These are a bit of a challenge to find and, from what I’ve seen, they can be picky about needing more light to keep those markings sharp.
There are actually over 200 species in the Pilea genus, but only a handful ever show up in people’s homes. Occasionally, you might spot Pilea involucrata (that’s the Friendship Plant) or Pilea cadierei, which people call the Aluminum Plant. They aren’t the same thing as the Chinese Money Plant, but they’re definitely in the same family and honestly, their care isn’t all that different.
The biggest differences? It’s all in the leaves. Some species have oval leaves, some are textured, a few even have a bit of color going on. The Chinese Money Plant is easy to spot with its round, coin-like leaves perched on those long stems.
Always check the label before you buy—some sellers just use “Pilea” for all sorts of different plants, which can get confusing if you’re after something specific.
