CHINESE MONEY PLANT

PILEA PEPEROMIOIDES

This plant, also known as the missionary plant, is grown for its round, coin-shaped foliage that resembles the leaves of a waterlily. It thrives in filtered sun and moderate humidity and is easy to place, but once you find the right spot, don’t move the plant, as it dislikes sudden changes in conditions.

HEIGHT 12in (30cm)

SPREAD 12in (30cm)

FLOWERS Insignificant

FOLIAGE Round

LIGHT Filtered sun

TEMPERATURE 59–75°F (15–24°C)

CARE Easy

PLACE OF ORIGIN Southwest China

CARE

Some indoor gardeners recommend a shady spot for the Chinese money plant, but for the best foliage, sunlight—but not direct sunlight—is required. Turn your plant a couple of times a week to prevent it from growing toward the window and spoiling its shape.

Plant the Chinese money plant in a commercial potting mix in a fairly large container as it’s a fast grower. Water when the potting mix starts to dry throughout spring and summer. Plants will quickly droop if they need water. In fall and winter, reduce the water but continue to mist the foliage. Apply a half-strength balanced fertilizer once a month in spring and summer to encourage a healthy plant.

This generous plant will produce a continuous supply of offsets that can be easily removed. Place your offset in a jar of water and watch the roots grow.

PROBLEM SOLVING The plant’s leaves sometimes curl at the edges. This isn’t overly worrying, but may be a sign it’s getting too much shade. Move to a slightly brighter position; if this doesn’t solve the issue, move again to an even brighter spot. The plant won’t respond well to a vastly different environment, so a gradual move is sensible.

DK

Find the right spot and stick to it and the Chinese money plant will produce a crop of strong, healthy leaves.

DISPLAY

The succulentlike leaves with their waxy and shiny finish will add life and interest to any room in the house. The Chinese money plant’s neat habit and polished appearance look particularly impressive in the center of a coffee table or at a breakfast bar in a room that has filtered light. You can either choose to grow it as a neatly rounded plant by turning the container frequently, or allow it to become more one-sided by positioning it in a corner of a room. Display it with plants that have dramatically contrasting foliage shapes such as the velvet plant and the Boston fern.

Houseplants A–Z | CHINESE MONEY PLANT

ALSO TRY

Houseplants with flat, circular leaves are extremely useful for introducing a change in pace, shape, and texture into a mixed display of foliage plants. If you like the idea of coin-shaped leaves, try the following option:

  • Button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia), height 12in (30cm). This plant enjoys the same conditions as the Chinese money plant and has small, button-shaped leaves and elegant, arching fronds that look good in a hanging basket.
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