The pilea peperomioides, also known as the Chinese money plant, is a true gem. It’s playful, very pleasing to the eye, and fairly easy to care for.
Pilea plants grow like crazy and then make babies so you can share them with other people. I love my piűea plant and can’t help but smile every time I look at it. Their quirky form is like no other plant.
People shared pilea plants, also known as Chinese money plants, and the plant slowly made its way to the United States in the last few years. I love learning/reading the history about this plant. The exact place it was found and the person who brought it and shared it can be found.
The pilea is a beautiful plant that is also very easy to take care of and very hardy. Here are some tips for taking care of it:
I’ve found that repotting a pilea really helps it grow. Giving it some room to move around will help the pups spread out. To help prevent root rot, use a pot with a drainage hole.
These drill bits are great for making a hole in the bottom of an earthenware pot if you love a pot that doesn’t have one.
I love the trusty terracotta pot since they are utilitarian and simple. Since terracotta is made from natural clay, it will let the soil breathe a little more than a plastic pot would.
Don’t get me wrong, you can use a plastic pot or a heavily glazed pot with a drainage hole. But if you water your pilea too much by accident, the terracotta will be better because it dries out faster.
If you have a decorative pot that you love, simply stick your terracotta pot inside your decorative one.
When it’s time to water, I’ll take the terracotta pot out of the decorative pot, let it drain all the way, and then put it back in the decorative pot.
To repot your pilea, pour some small stones on the bottom about 1-inch deep. The rocks aid with drainage and will help your plant not succumb to root rot. For soil, I use a quality, well draining potting mix.
Your local greenhouse should have this, or you can pick some up at your local hardware store. My mix has a bit of fine sand in it. My home is in southern Missouri, and the months are pretty humid. The sand helps the plant dry out a little faster.
Chinese money plant also known as pilea peperomioides, is an extremely popular houseplant. Its cute round coin-shaped leaves and easy care have made it a favorite for many indoor gardeners. If you’re considering adding one of these quirky plants to your home you probably want to know exactly how big it will get.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how big Chinese money plants grow and what factors impact their size
Typical Indoor Size
On average, a healthy Chinese money plant will reach 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) tall and wide when grown as a houseplant. However, some specimens may attain sizes up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall and wide given optimal indoor conditions.
The pancake plant, as it is sometimes called, is considered a slow growing houseplant. You can expect it to gain around 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in height each year. Slow growth allows theplant to retain its tidy, compact shape without getting leggy or unruly.
Mature Outdoor Size
Chinese money plants are native to southern China where they grow at the base of mountains in warm, humid environments. When grown outdoors in ideal conditions, these plants can reach up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall!
However, few home growers will ever achieve that size indoors. The constraints of pots, artificial lighting, and indoor air quality mean houseplants seldom attain their maximum outdoor proportions.
Factors That Influence Size
Several key factors play a role in determining how big your Chinese money plant will get:
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Age – Older, more mature plants will be larger than younger ones. Be patient, as pileas are slow growers.
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Pot size – A plant kept in a small pot will have restricted growth. Repotting into larger pots as needed provides room for expansion.
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Light – Bright, indirect light encourages compact, bushy growth. Insufficient light leads to leggy, sparse growth.
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Watering – Too much water can cause stunted growth and root rot. Underwatering leads to slower growth.
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Fertilizer – Regular feeding during the growing season fuels plant growth.
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Pruning – Trimming leggy stems or separating baby plants restricts size.
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Propagation – New plants started from cuttings or offsets will quickly achieve a petite size.
Tips for Controlling Size
Chinese money plants are the perfect size for desks and tabletops when kept to under 12 inches tall. Here are some tips to restrict your plant to a compact size:
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Propagate new plants from pups and stem cuttings for a continuous supply of petite pileas.
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Separate and rehome offshoots before they get too large.
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Prune any long, leggy stems back to an outward facing node.
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Grow in a small pot and downsize as needed to limit root expansion.
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Skip fertilizing during fall and winter months when plant growth naturally slows.
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Provide adequate bright, indirect light to discourage stretched growth.
Enjoy Its Unique Size
One of the charms of the Chinese money plant is its distinct puckered pancake shape. Unlike many houseplants that grow into gangly towers, the modest size of pilea peperomioides makes it ideal for displayed on desks, credenzas, and shelves.
With a little care and proper growing conditions, you can easily maintain a tidy 10 to 12 inch specimen perfect for highlighting its unique round leaves and sculptural form.
Common Questions
How long does it take a Chinese money plant to reach full size?
These slow growing plants can take 3 to 5 years to attain their maximum size, which is typically under 12 inches indoors. Larger, mature specimens may be 5 years old or more.
Should I repot my Chinese money plant to help it grow bigger?
Repotting into a slightly larger pot every 2 to 3 years will eliminate root crowding and provide room for additional growth. Just don’t over-pot, as too large a container can cause problems.
What causes leggy, sparse growth in Chinese money plants?
Insufficient light is the most common cause of lanky, stretched out plants with few leaves. Be sure to provide bright indirect light to encourage full, compact growth.
Why is my Chinese money plant staying small?
Young plants will be small, reaching full size over several years. Other causes can include inadequate light, overwatering, or root restriction from a too-small pot.
How can I limit the size of my Chinese money plant?
Frequent propagation, pruning long stems, and restricting root growth through smaller pot sizes are good ways to intentionally limit the size of Chinese money plants.
Will my Chinese money plant grow bigger if I move it outdoors?
Outdoor conditions including increased light, air circulation, humidity, and root space may allow a larger size, up to 3 feet tall. But most indoor specimens are kept under 12 inches.
Final Thoughts
Chinese money plants are delightful compact houseplants, reaching just 8 to 12 inches when grown indoors. Their slow growth, petite size, and unique round coin-shaped leaves make them perfect for displaying on shelves, desktops, and tabletops.
With the proper care outlined above, you can easily maintain your pancake plant at a tidy size perfect for accenting any indoor space. Enjoy watching your Chinese money plant slowly mature and fill out over time. Just be sure not to overpot or overfeed, as these plants are happier when kept small.
How Much Water Do Pilea Plants Need?
You have to water your pilea moderately, but do not overwater it. They like to dry out in-between waterings and they don’t like to stay soggy. I stick my finger in the dirt and lift the pot to see if it still feels heavy from the last watering.
If it feels dry to the touch, then I water it again. Allow it to dry out between waterings, but make sure it doesn’t get too dry (it’s tough and can handle it). I water mine once a week.
I will wait a few more days and check on the plant again if it still feels wet. The other day, a friend texted me a picture of her pilea which was drooping quite a bit. We came to the conclusion that it needed to be watered. It had dried out a bit too long!.
Just keep an eye on it, and it will tell you what it needs and when it needs it. Someone at a nearby greenhouse told me that overwatering the pilea is one of the only ways to kill it.
When you water your pilea, never let it sit in water. Once you’ve watered it, make sure that you empty the excess water that catches in your bottom dish. If the soil stays wet for too long, the roots will rot, which will probably kill the plant.
I tend to water too much, and it took me a while to control my urge to “nurture” (read: water too much) the plant.
Pilea peperomioides – Complete Care – Houseplant Basics – How to Grow Well (Chinese Money Plant)
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