The Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

by Laurelynn Martin, Logee’s Co-Owner

Originating from Southwest China, The Chinese Money Plant, or Pilea pepermioides, is famous for its lure of bringing good fortune, money and abundance to its owner.

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

Pilea peperomioides has a bit of history at Logee’s. On one of Joy Logee Martin’s plant collecting trips in the 1980s, she brought back this unusual green plant which unfortunately had no name tag. These were the days before the internet so Joy went on a search to find out what new plant she had just acquired for the Logee collection. Finally, after a couple of years of sending out samples to different botanists, she found the name. The Milwaukee Botanic Garden was able to identify it as Pilea peperomioides, a tropical plant also known as The Chinese Money Plant. Although it was a wonderful houseplant with round, shiny leaves and performed well in low light environments, it drifted away from Logee’s attention and left the Logee Collection.

Most recently, one of our growers took an interest in the Chinese Money Plant and we brought it back into propagation. What we love most is its dwarf growth habit of mounding green peltate leaves. The leaves stack on top of each other and give the appearance of large green coins, making it aptly named as the Chinese Money Plant. It makes a wonderful windowsill plant that performs well in dry conditions and low light. Feed is only needed about once a month but can be increased during the long summer days. It does flower in the winter time under cool conditions, although the pink flowers are insignificant.

Place the Chinese Money Plant in any room with partial sunlight and enjoy its charming nature and attractive good looks. And, maybe you will notice an increase in the flow of abundance in your life with this little plant around.

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) – Highlights

Hardiness Zone: 10
Bloom Season: Winter
Sun Requirement: Partial Sun, Shade
Grows to: 8-12″
Minimum Temperature Indoors: 40°F