Chinese money plant Pilea peperomioides

We have many names for the things we love – and this distinctive plant, in recent years the IT star of the plant world, is known as the Chinese money plant, pancake plant, UFO plant and missionary plant. With its long stems and beautiful round, dark-green leaves, the elegant Chinese money plant is the epitome of urban chic. It has long been popular in Scandinavia, thanks to its introduction from China by the Norwegian Agnar Espegren.

Image LIGHT

The Chinese money plant needs lots of light, so it can be placed directly in the window. Avoid direct sunlight during the summer, as this may damage the leaves.

Image WATERING

It likes high humidity and weekly watering during the warmer months. Go easy during the winter, when you should allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Image SOIL

Use ordinary potting compost, but it will also do OK in seed or cactus and succulent compost. Give it good drainage, with holes in the bottom of the container, perhaps with some leca balls as a bottom layer.

Image FEEDING

Feed with a liquid organic plant food two to three times a month during the spring and summer. It needs little or no food during the winter months.

Image ORIGIN

Originally from Yunnan province in southern China, the Chinese money plant grows wild in damp forests at heights of 1,500–3,000m (5,000–10,000ft).

Image MISCELLANEOUS

In warmer months, it can flower in the form of large clusters of tiny yellow-green flowers. It is easy to propagate from suckers.

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Who hasn’t dreamed of money growing on trees? A Chinese money plant won’t make you rich, but perhaps, like Agnar Espegren, you will find out how you can make other people happy by giving them a baby pilea or two.