The illustrated growing guide
Pilea (Chinese Money Plant)
Pilea peperomioides
Family Urticaceae
Est. zones 10-12
The UFO-leaf plant that friends pass around because it makes so many babies — pluck a pup, gift it, repeat. Rotate the pot or it reaches for the window and goes one-sided.
Bright indirect — rotate weekly or it leans hard
Moderate water
Fast growth
None winter chill
From the print shop
Growing pilea (chinese money plant)? Hang it.
Our Houseplants Vol. 2 collection carries pilea (chinese money plant) — Pilea peperomioides, print Nº 1, “Pilea.”
16 designsfrom $21.99white or black groundmatte poster, unframed
I
Overview
Will pilea (chinese money plant) suit your garden, and what goes wrong.
Will it thrive where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what pilea (chinese money plant) actually needs.
Hardy inZones 10-12Pilea (Chinese Money Plant) at a glance
Common pilea (chinese money plant) problems
- Fungus Gnats
- Spider Mites
- Root Rot
II
Growing
Light, water, soil, propagation and the season’s jobs.
How to grow pilea (chinese money plant): light, water & soil
How to plant & propagate pilea (chinese money plant)
III
The year
What pilea (chinese money plant) asks for, month by month.
The pilea (chinese money plant) year, month by month
PruneWhat each band means
- Prune — shape it now — cuts heal cleanly and structure is visible.
The pilea (chinese money plant) year as text
- Jan pruning
- Feb pruning
- Mar pruning
- Apr pruning
- May pruning
- Jun pruning
- Jul pruning
- Aug pruning
- Sep pruning
- Oct pruning
- Nov pruning
- Dec pruning
These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.
IV
Ecology & uses
What it does for the garden, and what it is grown for.
Pilea (Chinese Money Plant) in the garden system
What pilea (chinese money plant) is grown for
✓ Not known to be toxicSafe for pets
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
V
Cultivars
Named varieties of pilea (chinese money plant), ruled as a catalogue.
Best pilea (chinese money plant) varieties & cultivars
Standard; 'Mojito' (splashed variegation)
VI
Sources & plant ID
Where the care distinctions come from, and how the plant is filed.
Research basis
Sources behind this profile
No extension citations are attached to pilea (chinese money plant)yet. The care figures below come from the library's own catalogue rather than a traced primary source.
Plant ID
VII
Where to buy
Third-party nurseries — not Story Thyme Farms.
Third-party nurseries, not Story Thyme Farms. Prices are theirs.
Story Thyme Farms may earn a small commission from these links, at no cost to you — it never changes what we recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
VIII
Questions
Pilea (Chinese Money Plant) questions, answered straight.
Is pilea (chinese money plant) safe for kids and pets?
Pilea (Chinese Money Plant) is commonly eaten and isn't considered toxic, but "commonly eaten" isn't a guarantee for any particular person or animal — allergies, quantity, and which part you eat all matter. One caveat on this one: Safe for pets. Never eat a plant you haven't positively identified, and check with a vet before letting pets or livestock graze anything new.
How do you propagate pilea (chinese money plant)?
Stem/leaf cuttings, division, or pups.
IX
Elsewhere
Where pilea (chinese money plant) sits in the library.
Monstera
Golden Pothos
Snake Plant
Heartleaf Philodendron