Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides)

The Chinese money plant, also known as the missionary plant, lefse plant, pancake plant, UFO plant, or just pilea (short for its scientific name of Pilea peperomioides) is originally from the southwestern Yunnan province of China.

Alternative names of the Chinese money plant

Scientific name: Pilea peperomioides
Common names: Chinese money plant, pancake plant, UFO plant, lefse
plant, missionary plant, Bender Plant or mirror grass,

Classification

Class	Dicotyledonae
Order	Rosales
Family	Urticaceae
Genus	Pilea
Species	Pilea peperomioides
Kingdom	Plantae

Flowering data

Flower	Tiny whitish or pale green flowers sometimes tinged pink, on pinkish stems, born in spring
Domain	Eukaryota
Bloom Time	4-6 weeks,
Flower color	White flowers on pink-tinged stems
Stem	Unbranching up to 30cm or more.
Phylum	Spermatophyta
Fruit	Green
Subphylum	Angiospermae
Plant type	Asiatic perennial herb
Evergreen	Yes

Leaf data

Shape	Nearly round, fleshy
Color	Dark green or bright green
Length	10cm diameter or long petiole
Attracts	Bees, butterflies, birds

Chinese money plant Care

Water	Watering this plant once a week will be sufficient
Sun	Indirect sunlight
Maintenance	Low
Soil pH	6.0 to 7.0
Drainage	Well-drainage
Growth	Fast-growing plant
Moisture	Moist
Type	Moist, well drained
Origin/native	South China.

How to care for the Chinese money plant?

Sunlight:
This plant needs Medium indirect light to dappled sun.

Watering:
Water weekly is sufficient. Allow soil to dry out before watering. Soil should be dry about 2 inches down from the surface.

Soil:
The Chinese money plant prefers well-draining potting soil, and a pot with drainage holes is necessary. The soil needs to mostly dry out between watering, with more watering required in warmer, sunnier weather.

Fertilizer:
Treat monthly with an all-purpose plant fertilizer during the spring and summer growing seasons. 

Humidity:
Normal room humidity is fine, but if the edges burn or crisp, raise the humidity levels.

Temperature:
It needs 55°F-85°F (13°C-30°C). It’s best not to let it go below 50°F (10°C).

Pilea peperomioides growth:
It is a fast-growing plant. If this plant gets adequate sunlight then it gives double size every year.

Pruning:
Pruning can keep the plant healthy but does not remove the healthy and greenleaves from the plant.

Where can I read more about evergreen plants?

We have written blogs about a lot of evergreen plants. Here are some examples:

• Jade plant
• Hyssopus plant
• What is the Laceleaf Plant?
• Bonsai metasequoia in a brief description
• Mandevilla sanderi: Brazilian jasmine
• Begonia luxurians plant facts
• Chinese money plant