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Pilea

Common name: Chinese money plant · Pancake plant · UFO plant

Pilea A genus of several hundred tropical and subtropical herbs and subshrubs in the nettle family, though without nettles' stinging hairs. Only a few are widely cultivated, most famously the Chinese money plant, whose round, coin-like leaves made it a social-media sensation. They do best in bright indirect light with soil allowed to dry partly between waterings.

Fun facts

  • It spread across Scandinavia in the 1940s after Norwegian missionary Agnar Espegren brought cuttings home from China.
  • It is nicknamed the "pass-it-on plant" because it was shared almost entirely as cuttings between friends rather than sold.
  • It remained unidentified by Western botanists for decades before being formally described in 1984.
  • Offsets, or "pups," sprout from the roots at the base and can be snipped off to start new plants.

Care summary

Sun Bright indirect light
Water Water when the top few cm of soil dry out
Soil Well-draining potting mix with perlite
Hardiness
Mature height
Pet safe

Common problems

    • Let soil dry partially between waterings
    • Use pot with drainage holes
    • Repot into fresh loose mix
    • Rotate pot weekly for even growth
    • Move closer to bright indirect light
    • Check watering habits first
    • Feed lightly during growing season