The Chinese money plant is the one with round, coin shaped leaves floating on slender stems, like a little crowd of lily pads tilting toward the window. People also call it the pancake plant, the UFO plant, or the friendship plant, because a happy pilea sends up baby plants you can pot up and pass along. It asks for bright light, a steady watering rhythm, and a turn of the pot now and then. Give it those and it grows into a full, cheerful dome.
Pilea care at a glance
| Light | Bright indirect light. A little gentle morning sun is fine. Keep out of hot afternoon sun. |
| Water | When the top inch or two of soil is dry. Often about weekly in summer, less in winter. |
| Soil | Quality indoor potting mix with perlite for drainage. |
| Pot | A drainage hole always. Snug is better than oversized. |
| Temperature | 60 to 80°F. Keep away from cold drafts and heater vents. |
| Humidity | Average home air is fine. |
| Feeding | Half strength balanced fertilizer monthly in spring and summer. |
| Pets | Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. |
| Care level | Easy going once you find its bright spot. |
Light and the weekly turn
Pilea grows wild on shaded, rocky slopes in southern China, and indoors it loves bright, filtered light. A spot near an east window, or a few feet back from a south or west window, keeps the leaves broad and flat. In lower light the stems stretch and the plant gets leggy, with smaller leaves spaced farther apart.
Every leaf turns to face the light, so a pilea left in one position starts leaning hard to one side. Give the pot a quarter turn each time you water and it stays round and balanced. Our houseplant light guide helps you read the light in each room.
Watering
Pilea stores a little water in its thick stems and prefers to dry out partway between drinks. Too much water is far more dangerous than too little.
The check: press a finger into the soil. Dry an inch or two down means water. Still damp means wait. Water slowly until it runs from the drainage hole, let it drain, and empty the saucer after fifteen minutes.
Your pilea will also tell you. When it needs a drink, the leaves soften and droop a little from their stems. Water then and they lift again within a day. Try not to wait for that droop every single time, but it is a useful signal while you learn its rhythm.
If you see small white spots on the leaves, that is usually mineral residue from tap water, not a pest. Wipe them gently, and filtered water or tap water left to sit overnight helps.
Reading the leaves
| What you see | Most likely cause | What to do |
| Leaves drooping, soil dry | Thirst | Water thoroughly. It perks up within a day |
| Leaves drooping, soil wet | Overwatering or poor drainage | Let it dry well, check the roots, use a pot with a hole |
| Leaves cupping or doming | Light coming from one direction, or very bright light | Turn the pot weekly and soften the light a little |
| Long bare stems, small leaves | Not enough light | Move it closer to a bright window |
| Lower leaves yellowing slowly | Natural aging | Normal. Remove them once fully yellow |
| Many leaves yellowing at once | Soil staying wet | Water less often, check for root rot |
| Brown, crispy patches | Direct hot sun or a long dry spell | Pull it back from the glass and keep watering steady |
| White spots on leaves | Minerals from tap water | Wipe gently and try filtered water |
Our root rot guide walks through rescuing a soggy pot, and our guide to helping a shipped houseplant adjust covers the first few weeks at home.
Pups: how a pilea makes friends
A settled pilea sends up small plantlets from the soil around the main stem, and sometimes right from the stem itself. This is where the friendship plant name comes from. Once a pup is two or three inches tall with a few leaves of its own, you can share it.
- From the soil: follow the pup's stem a little below the surface and cut it free with a clean knife, keeping some root if you can.
- Pot it up: tuck it into a small pot of moist potting mix, or set it in a glass of water until roots form, then pot it.
- Settle it in: bright indirect light, evenly moist soil for the first couple of weeks, and patience.
A tiny pilea in a small pot makes one of the sweetest handmade gifts there is.
Soil, pots and repotting
Use a quality indoor potting mix with a handful of perlite stirred in. Pilea grows quickly when happy, so repot every year or two in spring, or when roots circle the bottom. Go up just one size, an inch or two wider. A pot that is too large holds wet soil around the roots. Our pot size and drainage guide helps with fit, and our repotting guide makes it an easy afternoon.
Pets
Pilea peperomioides is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a gentle choice for a home with curious pets. Discourage chewing all the same, and keep fertilizer out of reach. See our pet friendly plants and our pet safe houseplants guide.
Winter care
Shorter days mean slower growth. Water less often, skip fertilizer, and move the plant closer to the window if the light drops. Keep it away from cold glass and heater vents. Our winter houseplant care guide covers the quiet months.
Quick answers
Is a Chinese money plant the same as a money tree? No. The Chinese money plant is Pilea peperomioides, with round leaves on a small upright stem. The money tree is Pachira aquatica, often sold with a braided trunk. Our money tree care guide covers that one.
How often should I water a pilea? When the top inch or two of soil is dry. Often about weekly in summer and less in winter.
Why is my pilea leaning? Its leaves follow the light. Turn the pot a quarter turn each time you water.
Why are my pilea leaves curling? Usually uneven or very strong light. Turning the pot and softening the light helps flatten new leaves.
Is pilea safe for cats? It is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Bring one home
Our Chinese Money Plant comes in several pot sizes, from a little desk plant to a fuller tabletop pilea. Find it a home in a planter with drainage and a saucer, or lift it into the light with a plant stand or riser.
More guides from Planty Things
- Peperomia care guide
- Parlor palm care guide
- Money tree care guide
- Snake plant care guide
- ZZ plant care guide
And if your pilea ever looks unsure of itself, send a photo to mike@plantylove.co. We are always happy to help.