Chinese Money Plant, Pilea peperomioides

The Chinese Money is a popular houseplant known for its:

Round, coin-shaped leaves (hence the "money" name)

Fast growth under the right conditions

Ease of propagation through offshoots or “pups”

Basic Care Guide

🌞 Light

Prefers bright, indirect light

Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves

Can tolerate lower light but will grow slower

💧 Water

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry

Don’t let it sit in soggy soil—good drainage is essential

Reduce watering in winter

🌡️ Temperature & Humidity

Likes normal room temperatures (65–75°F / 18–24°C)

Doesn’t like cold drafts

Average humidity is fine, but it appreciates occasional misting

🌱 Soil

Use a well-draining potting mix—a general houseplant soil with perlite works well

🌿 Fertilizer

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring and summer)

🌼 Propagation

Easily propagated from baby plants (pups) that grow from the base

Gently remove and pot them once they have a few leaves and some roots

🚨 Common Issues

Drooping leaves: usually from overwatering or underwatering

Brown spots: possibly from sunburn or inconsistent watering

Leggy growth: not enough light

Here are step-by-step tips for propagating a Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides), which is known for producing lots of offshoots (aka "pups"):

🧪 Types of Pilea Pups You Can Propagate

Basal pups – grow from the roots at the base of the mother plant (most common).

Stem pups – grow on the stem or higher up (less common, but also propagatable).

🌱 How to Propagate from Basal Pups

✅ What You’ll Need:

• A clean, sharp knife or scissors
  
• Small pot(s) with drainage holes
  
• Well-draining potting mix (e.g., potting soil + perlite)
  
• Optional: rooting hormone (not required, but can help)
  

  🪴 Step-by-Step:
  

• Wait Until the Pup Is Ready
  
• Let pups grow to at least 2–3 inches tall with several leaves.
  
• Make sure they have their own root system (gently dig to check).
  
• Separate the Pup
  
• Use a clean knife or scissors to carefully cut the pup away, including some roots.
  
• If it has no roots yet, you can still propagate, but it may take longer to establish.
  
• Plant the Pup
  
• Place it in a small pot with moist (not soggy) well-draining soil.
  
• Press gently to stabilize the baby plant.
  
• Care After Planting
  
• Keep in a warm, bright spot with indirect light.
  
• Water lightly and keep the soil consistently moist (not wet) for the first few weeks.

  💧 Optional: Water Propagation (for rootless pups)
  

  If the pup has no roots:
  
  • Place it in a small glass of water (just the base, not the leaves).
    
  • Keep in bright, indirect light.
    
  • Change water every few days.
    
  • After 2–4 weeks, once roots appear, transfer it to soil.

    🌟 Extra Tips
    

  • Don’t remove too many pups at once—let the mother plant recover.
    
  • Propagate in spring or early summer for best results.
    
  • Be patient! Newly potted pups may take a few weeks to start growing.