
Growing a Chinese Money Plant, or Pilea peperomioides, is a rewarding experience for any plant enthusiast. Known for its unique coin-shaped leaves, this plant adds a touch of greenery and modern aesthetic to your space.
It’s a popular choice for indoor gardens due to its low maintenance nature and its ability to bring a sense of calm into the home.
Caring for your Chinese Money Plant starts with understanding its basic needs.
This plant thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and requires well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Regular watering is key, but it’s important to let the soil dry out between waterings to ensure the health of the plant.
When it comes to propagation, the Chinese Money Plant is quite generous. It often produces pups, or small baby plants, that you can easily separate and pot to create new plants.
This makes it not just a decorative piece in your home but also a lovely gift to share with friends and family.
With just a little bit of care, you can enjoy the lush, vibrant growth of your very own Chinese Money Plant.
Understanding the Chinese Money Plant
The Chinese Money Plant, with its easy care and appealing aesthetics, quickly becomes a favorite in your home plant collection.

Botanical Profile
Scientific Name: Pilea peperomioides
Family: Urticaceae
Origins: Southwest China
The Chinese Money Plant is distinguishable by its round, glossy green leaves, which grow on long petioles, giving it a distinctive, playful appearance.
It’s a small, evergreen perennial that thrives indoors under the right conditions.
Symbolism and Popularity
The plant is also known as the “UFO plant,” referencing its saucer-shaped leaves.
It carries a sense of joy and positive energy and is often associated with prosperity and good fortune.
This association with wealth comes from its coin-like leaves, leading to it being considered a good luck charm in Feng Shui.
Its popularity spikes from its supposed ability to bring financial luck, as well as its modern and minimalistic look that fits well in various interior design themes.
Caring for Your Chinese Money Plant
Proper care for your Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) includes providing optimal light, water, soil, and nutrients.
Each aspect of care is essential for a healthy, thriving plant.
Light and Placement
Your Chinese Money Plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight.
Direct sun can scorch the leaves, so place it near a window with sheer curtains to diffuse the light. A north or east-facing window typically offers the ideal light conditions.
Watering Requirements
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, approximately once a week, depending on environmental conditions.
Over-watering can lead to root rot, so ensure your pot has drainage holes to avoid water accumulation.
- Watering Schedule:
- Spring/Summer: Weekly
- Fall/Winter: Less frequently, as growth slows

Soil and Repotting
Use a well-draining, peat moss-based potting mix for your Chinese Money Plant.
Repot only when the plant becomes root-bound or the soil seems exhausted, generally every two years.
- Repotting Steps:
- Choose a pot 2–3 inches larger in diameter than the current one.
- Gently tease the roots apart if they are circling the root ball.
- Add fresh potting mix and position the plant at the same depth it was previously.
Fertilization Schedule
Feed your plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Fertilize every month during the growing season (spring and summer), but not in the fall and winter.
- Ideal Fertilizer Ratio: 10-10-10 (N-P-K)
- Application: Once a month during the active growth period.
Propagating Chinese Money Plant

Propagating your Chinese Money Plant can be a delightful experience. Here’s how you can do it using the leaf cutting method or division technique.
Leaf Cutting Method
Step 1: Select a healthy leaf.
- Choose a leaf that is fully grown and free of any damage or disease.
Step 2: Cut the leaf with a stem.
- Use a clean, sharp knife or pair of scissors to snip the leaf, including a small portion of the stem.
Step 3: Prepare the cutting.
- Let the cutting dry for a few hours to allow the cut end to callous over.
Step 4: Rooting the cutting.
- Place the cutting in water or directly into potting soil.
- If using water, wait for roots to appear before potting.
Division Technique
Step 1: Water the plant.
- One or two days before dividing, thoroughly water your plant.
- This ensures the soil will be moist, making the division process easier.
Step 2: Remove the plant from the pot.
- Gently take the plant out of the pot.
- Be careful not to damage the root system.
Step 3: Identify division points.
- Look for natural separations in the root system where the plant can be divided into smaller sections.
Step 4: Divide the plant.
- Using your hands, tease the roots apart at the selected division points.
- If roots are dense, you may use a clean and sharp knife to cut through them.
Step 5: Pot the divisions.
- Plant each division in its own pot with fresh potting mix.
- Then, water the new plantings to help settle the soil around the roots.