The brilliantly green leaves of the Chinese money plant (or Pilea) in the shape of a pancake are widely highlighted in Scandinavian designs, where they create an appealing and welcome pop of colour against white walls.
The Chinese Money Plant, also identified as Pilea Peperomioides, is an eye-catching green gem that is recognized as one of the most popular plants across the globe. This species belongs to the stinging nettle family and is extremely easy to care for. This amazing tiny plant is a thing of beauty. With its spherical dark green leaves, the Chinese money tree plant is wonderfully suited to give character to any indoor jungle.
Here’s a guide introducing you to the tiny green friendly-plant and with tips on Chinese money plant care and propagation.
Introduction to Chinese Money Plant
The Chinese money plant is also quite famous with the names like missionary plant, pancake plant, UFO plant, lefse plant, or simply pilea (short for Pilea peperomioides, its scientific name), is native to China’s southern Yunnan region. According to history, in the 1940s, a Norwegian missionary named Agnar Espegren brought cuttings along with him and shared them amongst family and friends.
People traded cuttings among companions, and the plants spread over Scandinavia and eventually across the world. The Chinese money tree plant gets its name from its round flat coin-shaped foliage.
As the wind blows through a screened light window, its slender stems dance. A yellow dot forms on the upper side of the leaf at which the stem links to the underside of the leaf, making it more distinctive to appreciate. It may be used as a focal point or as part of a cluster. It will undoubtedly attract focus and appreciation.
Bloom of the Chinese Money Tree Plant
If taken proper care of and placed in a room with a cool temperature, a mature Chinese money plant may bloom with little flowers white in colour growing out of pink stems.
Levels of Toxicity
Despite the fact that the money tree plant isn’t dangerous to cats, it is advised to prevent your cat from gnawing on it. If enough of a non-toxic herb is taken, it might induce stomach distress in dogs.
Air Purifier
Interestingly, formaldehyde and xylene, which are prevalent in paints, varnishes, and paper goods, are removed from the air by this indoor plant.
Benefits for People and Space
These plants are great for people who’re just beginning to adopt a green thumb. These go well with spaces that receive exposure to bright light in a small space. Chinese money plant make a great decoration piece drawing attention when placed on desks, tables, or shelves.
Spaces that receive bright sunlight or medium daylight are perfect for nurturing these plants. These grow excellently if placed near a window allowing filtered light to enter the room and catch a light breeze on hot summer days.
Chinese Money Plant Care Tips
It’s critical to provide these plants with proper maintenance in order to maintain those magnificent circular leaves looking healthiest.
Lighting Conditions for Chinese Money Plant Care
In a south or west exposure, place the Chinese Money Plant in clear, indirect light to screened daylight. This location will provide it with plenty of warmth and light all through the day, allowing its leaves to absorb the sun’s rays and perform photosynthesis.
Once a week, rotate the plant a quarter circle to keep it from reaching for the sunlight in one position.
Water or Humidity Levels
Once you get the plant, make sure to water it. Between watering cycles, the planter mix should be fully dry. Before pouring additional water, assess the soil for moisture weekly. If the plant begins to sag, check the soil moisture and make any necessary adjustments.
Symptoms of overwatering or underwatering include stem losing vitality and flop. This plant does not require spritzing. When watered in a regular manner, it flourishes. The Chinese Money Plant doesn’t have any specific humidity requirements. However, it, like other plants, will not thrive in an extremely dry climate.
When this plant becomes too dry, its leaves turn crispy, which is undesirable. You may prevent this by misting the plant. If you have a lot of indoor plants, arrange them together to keep them humid.
Optimum Temperature
Temperatures of 55°F to 86°F (13°C to 30°C) would be ideal for proper growth of a Chinese money plant.
Frequency of Repotting
If you keep it in ideal circumstances, it may ultimately overflow from the pot. When it generates offsets and the pot is saturated, either propagate them or repot it in a larger container to allow for additional growth.
The mother plant will seem larger if the offsets are kept on it. Choose an indoor plant mixture that has adequate drainage while yet holding a fair quantity of moisture to avoid drying out too quickly.
Fertilizers
Fertilize once a month to ensure maximum plant growth and vitality.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Place your indoor plant in a bathtub or washbasin and gently shower it to remove any dirt from the foliage. Allow the plant to drain water and dry naturally.
Chinese money plant do not demand much attention, but it’s advisable to keep a check on them regularly for proper nourishment and growth of the beautiful plant.
The Chinese Money Plant’s General Issues
The leaves of this indoor plant will start curling inwards if it doesn’t receive adequate light or water. On the other hand, if it is exposed to extreme light and water, it will roll outwards.
If the plant’s fresher leaves turn yellow, it’s possible that you’ve overwatered it. If that isn’t the situation, fertilize it if it hasn’t been fertilized in a long time. Otherwise, trim aged leaves near the plant’s base, which tend to yellow as they become older.
How to Propagate Chinese Money Plant
The easy Chinese money plant propagation is one of the reasons it has traveled so far without being extensively marketed commercially. As the plant matures, you’ll notice small baby plants with their distinctive round leaves appear. You may either leave them on to make a fuller plant or cut them off to make a new Chinese money plant.
A healthy plant will ultimately send up plantlets that you may detach from the main plant via soil. Cut the tiny plant free by tracking the stem about an inch into the earth with a clear, sharp knife. Plant in a fresh container with wet soil until the plant is well-anchored and producing new leaves.
New plantlets sprout directly from the stem, which you may cut free, keep in water for a week or so until roots form, and then continue the same instructions as before.
Plants Complementing Chinese Money Plant
If you desire to give your Chinese Money Plant a unique shape, consider the Alocasia ‘Polly,’ also known as the Elephant Ear plant. It has a distinctive dark green colour and arrow-shaped leaves with a wavy border and white veins flowing through them. Arrange the Money Plant in a smart manner alongside it. It may also flourish under strong light.
Echeverias, the wonderful succulents making people drool, may be a low-maintenance component to the home plant collection. They’re a sturdy plant that won’t mind if you forget to water them. Their subdued tones will bring a sense of calm to your home. And, as an added benefit, they’re pet-friendly.
The Chinese Money Plant: Where to place it?
It’s critical to place your houseplant in the best possible location. You’ll want to ensure they’re getting enough indirect sunlight and that they’re visible throughout the day. Those coin-shaped leaves are so lovely that they have to be the focal point! This plant can be placed in almond stoneware or grey ceramic. When coupled with those luscious green foliage, both appear picture-perfect.
Because the plant prefers bright, light environments, placing it near a window in a kitchen, washroom, or living area is recommended. Pair this lovely small plant with something a bit bigger. To wow your relatives and friends, you may simply get the desired urban jungle image.
Enhance the Greenery with a Gorgeous Chinese Money Plant
You could have guessed that homeowners like this plant a lot. It isn’t a secret! People adore it because of the leaf form, plus it has a lot of witty nicknames, so what’s not to like? Another plus point is that it doesn’t take up much room. Those lovely green spherical leaves will add interest and flair to any light space in your house interior. It can also assist in the purification of the air around you.
So, whether you want to call it by its most well-known name or Pancake Plant, this small green jewel is a genuinely wonderful houseplant for everybody to appreciate.
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