What You Need To Know Before You Buy A Pilea — Plant Care Tips and More

Could the Pilea Peperomiodes be right for you?

Pilea peperomioides, often shortened to simply “Pilea”, are popular houseplants due to their beauty, ease of care and propagation, and the belief that they bring good fortune into a home or family.

The Pilea is known by many names, such as “pancake plant,” “UFO plant,” and “friendship plant,” for its appearance and ease of propagation (pass it on to friends!), but perhaps its most common nickname is the “Chinese Money Plant.” Native to the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in Southern China, Pilea wasn’t a well-known cultivar in the West until the last few decades, when it exploded in popularity.

the Pilea makes a great gift

Over the years, the Chinese Money Plant has come to symbolize good luck and fortune, making it a well-loved housewarming gift. In fact, even The New York Times believes it to be the perfect housewarming gift to mark this special milestone in your recipient’s life! Anyone can care for and enjoy a thriving Pilea plant, so it’s a lovely gift option for plant-lovers of all skill levels and any aesthetic, from elegant neutrals to funky bohemian spaces.

THE FRIENDSHIP PLANT

In addition to its reputation of bringing luck and prosperity to its owner, these gorgeous plants represent friendship. The Pilea plant was first introduced into the West by Norwegian missionary Agnar Espegren (hence its additional nickname, “missionary plant”), who brought cuttings of Pilea to Scandinavia in the 1940s. Thanks to how easy it is to propagate, cuttings circulated throughout communities as gardeners gifted cuttings to one another. Today, we’re lucky to have Pilea readily available online and in local plant stores, but there’s still something special about gifting someone a baby Pilea plant grown from a specimen of your own!

Pileas Do Best WITH INDIRECT LIGHT

Pilea plants can grow in a variety of lighting conditions, but do best in bright, indirect light with brief periods of light shade. Too much sun can scorch the coin-shaped foliage, while dark corners can stunt the plant’s growth.

Pro tip: Pilea plants tend to grow in the direction of the sun, so be sure to rotate larger plants periodically to make sure it’s growing nice and evenly.

Where to place your Pilea

These hardy plants can handle most temperatures in the home -- cooler conditions can even encourage blooms, but it’s best not to put it in conditions that reach below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Put your new Pilea a few feet away from an East- or West-facing window, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere. Avoid extremely bright windows to avoid sunburn, or put up a sheer curtain to help filter the light. You may want to follow Feng Shui guidelines to determine where to place your plant, too, which may require supplementary grow lights.

water only when dry

Water your Chinese Money Plant when the top few inches of the soil are dry, with care not to overwater it. These plants are also a great candidate for bottom-watering -- placing the full plant pot in a shallow tub of water for several minutes and allowing it to absorb moisture through its root system.

As with the rest of the plants in your collection, Pilea do not like having “wet feet,” so ensure your plant is in well-draining soil and in a receptacle with adequate drainage holes.

fertilizing your pilea

These easy-going plants don’t require significant attention or fertilizing. If you choose to fertilize your Pilea, select a high-quality, natural fertilizer and use it sparingly, only during the growing season of spring and summer.

PILEAS CAN SOMETIMES BE TRICKY

Adorable and quirky, the Pilea is known to bring good luck and fortune to its home.

The most common challenges people experience with Pilea peperomioides care are related to watering or too much sunlight.

Browning stems, yellowing leaves, or loose petioles (the part of the stem that reaches the leaf), are likely due to overwatering or root rot. Make sure your plant is draining excess water whenever you water it, and if it seems like it is beginning to experience root rot, repot it in fresh, chunky soil and wait longer in between waterings.

Pilea plants aren’t pest magnets, but if insects start to make a home in your plant, it requires swift attention. Apply a natural insecticide, castile soap, or diluted horticultural oil to treat the issue and prevent future infestations.

Propagating This Plant is easy

The Pilea peperomioides plant practically propagates itself -- the process is incredibly simple, which is why it’s become a go-to green gift over the years.

These plants produce small offshoots off the base of the plant’s main stalk. To propagate your plant for a gift or for yourself, carefully cut off these “babies” once they’re a few inches tall, and place either directly in soil or in a shallow cup of water to root. Check out step-by-step instructions here -- happy Pilea gifting!

How to select a healthy Pilea

A healthy Pilea has vibrant, glossy, emerald green leaves that won’t wilt or droop. Petioles should be firm and not detach from the stalk when you give it a gentle tug. Extra-healthy plants might already have small baby offshoots and will be ready to propagate.

Pileas are non-toxic and safe for pets

These gorgeous plants are extra lucky because they are non-toxic, making them a good housewarming gift even for homes filled with pets and children.

Avoid purchasing your Pilea from a garden center

You should always purchase your plants from a trusted supplier to ensure you’re purchasing and gifting the highest-quality plants. Plants from garden centers often experience root rot due to being overwatered and watered in batches. To make sure you’re getting a healthy Pilea peperomioides plant, order one from a quality retailer or seller, or get a cutting from a friend!

Try your Pilea in a terrarium!

Pilea peperomioides are excellent candidates for terrarium planting. They like humidity (they are native to the base of the Himalayas, after all), and make for a lovely accent to an enclosed foliage arrangement.