The Pilea Peperomioides: care tips and some facts

The Chinese money plant or also known as pilea peperomioides... No, it is not an Italian pizza. It is one of the most popular houseplants at the moment. In China, the plant is the symbol of fortune and they say that if you put a gold coin in the ground next to the plant, gold coins will grow on the plant.
Why is it such a popular plant, when is the flowering period of the pilea and what diseases can this fabulous plant get?
In this blog we will tell you all about it!

information about the pilea peperomioides

Pilea peperomioides, Chinese money plant or missionary plant was first found by George Forrest. He found this beautiful plant in the Cang Shan mountains in the Yunnan province of China. This was in the year 1906. Later, the pilea was officially described for the first time by the German Friedrich Diels in 1912. He took cuttings and thus the plant spread all over the world. First he took them to sell them. He took the money he earned to his church. Now it is easy to guess why this precious plant is called the Chinese money plant.

Another story is about a Swedish missionary who brought the plant to Europe in 1946. Hence we also call the plant the missionary plant.

its properties

The Chinese money plant reaches a maximum height of about 50 centimetres. It is a herbaceous plant that grows from a rosette with side shoots. The round, succulent leaves grow on brown stems ten to thirty centimetres long. The leaves more or less 'hang' from the stems. These leaves are about 5 to 9 centimetres in diameter. Young leaves are glossy, but as they get older, you will see them become slightly duller. The flowering period for this plant is in late spring in the months of May and June.

The generic name 'pilea' is derived from the Latin 'pileus', meaning: a Roman felt hat or cap", and originates from the Greek word 'pilos'. It is a reference to the calyx enclosing the fruit. The species name 'peperomioides' refers to the inflorescence, which resembles that of plants of the genus 'peperomia'.

a spectacular houseplant

Pilea peperomioides is back and not for nothing. This houseplant was very popular in the 1970s, and has been making a comeback in many homes for a few years now.

tips for caring for your pilea peperomioides

Now we come to the point of explaining the care of the pilea peperomioides. This cultivar stands out for its round, green leaves with its famous stems. How can we keep it with such a vivid green colour for years and how can we keep it growing happily to the satisfaction of its owner? We explain it to you, let's go!

location

Pilea peperomioides is known in Europe as a house plant. Although it certainly deserves a place in the centre of attention in your home, it prefers not to be placed in full sun. So you can also put it in a pot in your garden or on your patio, but be very careful with it, it is a lady. It doesn't like the wind, it hates the summer heat and it doesn't like the cold of winter either.

light

It is best to choose a bright spot where the leaves are not burnt by the sun's rays. A site next to a north-facing window or next to an east-facing window is the perfect location.

temperature

The ideal temperature for the pilea peperomioides is between 15 and 25ºC. It is therefore a perfect indoor plant. It does not like sweltering heat in summer.

watering

Your Pilea peperomioides also needs water, of course. In summer it should be watered twice a week. Make sure that the substrate does not dry out completely, the soil should not be too wet. If the soil at the edges of the pot loosens up, then you know that your plant is lacking water. Keep in mind that in small pots the soil dries out faster than in larger pots.

In winter you can reduce the frequency of watering. Water the plant every 7 to 10 days. Always check that the substrate is not too dry or too wet before you start watering. If you are in full heat every day from December to March, it is quite logical that you will have to water your plants more often.

fertilising

Do you have to fertilise your Pilea? It is not really necessary, but your Ufo plant will love it if you give it in spring and summer a good splash of water with a little liquid fertilizer for green plants. The ideal frequency for this plant would be once every two months. In autumn and winter it is not necessary to feed it, because it is resting for a while.

transplanting

It is also a very suitable plant for plant killers, as it is one of the easiest plants to care for. If you are one of those people who let your plants die or simply don't remember to water them from time to time.

propagation

Is it possible to propagate the Chinese money plant easily? Yes, it is very easy to propagate. In fact it is super easy. Here's how to do it.

chinese money plant cuttings

It is very common to see new mini pileas growing right next to the 'pancake plant'. You can cut them at the stem. The advantage is that these seedlings already have roots, they are the easiest to take a cutting or cuttings from.

Now it is time to give the little trunks their roots. To do this, put the stem with the leaves in a glass or small container. Make sure that the leaves hang above the water. Keep the cutting in the water for about two weeks and change the water every other day, because the fresher the water, the faster the roots will appear. Below you can see what the stem looks like after 2 weeks in water.

transplanting the chinese money plant

Has the cutting taken root? Then it is time to transplant the pilea peperomioides cutting. Take a pot, put some potting soil (or advanced potting soil, which I don't know much about), dig the cutting in a bit and give it some water. It's that easy, it just takes a little bit of patience. How did it work out for you?

buy pilea peperomioides

We love to search for and find the most beautiful houseplants at the best nurseries. We also care about the environment and are committed to finding sustainable options. Plants and trees are the lungs of our planet. They need to be cared for, pampered and kept happy, so that we can all take advantage and enjoy this green joy. In our online shop we have 3 options for you to get your favourite peperomioides pilea and create that much desired green space.

pilea peperomioides 50cm

• colour: green leaves
• height: 45-50cm ↕
• pot: 24cm Ø
• amount: 1
• easy plant
• pet friendly
• from eco grower

¡Discover this big Chinese money plant! Order it now in our online shop, fresh from the nursery, carefully packed and delivered without any fees to your front door within a week!

duo pilea peperomioides 20cm

• colour: green leaves
• height: 20cm ↕
• pot: 12cm Ø
• amount: 2
• easy plants
• pet friendly
• from eco grower

¡Or take a look at this duo of Pilea Peperomioides! Order online on our website and pay securely by credit card and we will send them to your home!

trio of plants including a pilea

• colour: green leaves
• height: 20cm ↕
• pot: 12cm Ø
• amount: 3 plants in 3 pots
• easy plants
• la pilea es pet friendly
• from eco grower

¡Enjoy these wonderful mix, a trio of plants including the Pilea Peperomioides! Buy it online in comfort and with our quality assurance!