BOTANICAL NAME: Pilea peperomioides
COMMON NAME: Chinese money plant, coin plant, UFO plant, friendship plant, pancake plant
ORIGIN: China
GOOD FOR: Beginner plant parents
WINDOW PREFERENCE: East or West facing window.
LIGHT: Medium to bright, indirect light. Rotate the plant to keep it symmetrical. Harsh direct sun will burn the leaves, and too little light will allow the plant to become leggy and the leaves will be smaller.
WATER: Wait until the top two inches of soil is dry and then water around the base of the plant until you see water draining from the bottom of the pot. At this point you can stop. They do not like to be waterlogged. The Pilea is well adapted to drier growing conditions due to their thick, succulent type leaves.
HUMIDITY: Basic household humidity
TEMPERATURE: Prefers to be between 60 and 75 degrees. Keep away from drafts and heat vents.
SOIL / REPOTTING: Well-draining, peat-based potting soil. You can add perlite to the soil mix, to increase drainage. As the pilia increases in size, you can repot yearly in the spring and summer. Only repot one size up to keep the plant root bound. If you prefer to keep the plant the same size, repot in the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming the roots and some foliage.
PLANT FOOD: Feed once in the spring and once in the summer growing season. We recommend using Joyful Dirt Houseplant Plant Food. Stop feeding in fall and winter due to slower growth and dormancy.
PRUNING: Prune off dead, brown or yellow leaves. This will encourage new growth and help keep the plant full.
PESTS: Mealybugs and spider mites
TOXICITY: Non-toxic
ANGRY PLANT PROBLEMS: Leaves wilting – Water me. Yellow leaves, or black stems – I am waterlogged. Aerate my soil and let it dry out before watering again. White spots under my leaves – This might be mineral residue from water vapors being released through the pores.
