Highly valued for its distinctive round leavesThe beauty chinese money plant (pilea peperomioides) has become very popular for its elegant appearance. Originally from southern China, she is reputed to bring luck to its owners, hence its name.
This small species grows to about 30×30 cm and the bright green foliage spreads out from a central stem to create a leafy dome, so give it plenty of room to develop its natural shape. As it matures, it can also produce small white or pink flowers in the spring.
Use your money plant to decorate a center table along with your other indoor types, or plant it in a hanging basket where you can admire the leaves at eye level.
However, sunny windowsills will be too hot for her during the summer months, where the harsh rays can burn her delicate leaves.
If you want to create an impressive indoor garden idea, try to bring in other seedlings from the Pilea family that enjoy the same growing conditions as well, such as the pilea cadiereiwhich has dark green, spear-shaped foliage decorated with patterns.
The following are 3 top tips for caring for the Chinese money plant:
Watering care
the plant is fairly drought tolerant and will not be affected if you forget to water it for a week or more. In fact, she would rather negligence to overwatering, making it a great low-maintenance indoor plant. Too much water will quickly lead to rot and early death.
To avoid soggy compost, grow it in a pot with drainage holes in the base and then place it inside a waterproof container to display it. Water only when the top of the compost is dry, taking the seedling out of the first pot and placing it under the faucet over a sink – then let it drain. Reduce watering in winter so the compost is just damp.
avoid excess
There are many varieties of indoor species, the health of which will suffer from both an excess of water and a lack of it. The lower leaves of the Chinese money plant have a naturally drooping appearance, but if the seedling starts to collapse, it could be the result of too much or too little water.
If it has been overwatered, just let it dry in a draining board for at least a week and replant it in a container with holes in the base if it isn’t already in one. However, if the roots have started to rot, you may need to discard the seedling. In case of drought, just follow the steps mentioned above.
Right place
This beautiful species grows in partially shaded areas in mountainous regions, meaning they are adapted to thrive in a little sun. In reality, this means placing them away from a window.
They are generally not very fussy about drafts, but they don’t like areas near radiators and other heaters, which dry out their leaves. To maintain its shape, all the leaves need to receive the same amount of light, so turn the plant every week to prevent it from stretching towards the window and becoming crooked.
It also needs a moderate amount of humidity and will do well in kitchens or bathrooms, given the right light conditions. Elsewhere in the house, spray the foliage regularly and make sure the temperature doesn’t drop below 12˚C in winter.
You can grow the species outdoors in the summer in areas where nighttime temperatures don’t regularly drop below 10 to 12°C. Just be sure to place it in a pot with drainage holes at the base and in a sheltered, shady spot, out of direct sunlight.
main problems
Brown spots on leaves are usually caused by burns, your seedling is probably too close to a bright window or heater. To correct the problem, move it into the room or put a curtain on the window or move it away from the heat source.
Regularly check for signs of pests and remove all affected parts immediately or clean with a soft damp cloth if you can. To the mealybugs, which look like little brown bumps on the leaves, can be more difficult to remove. Dip a small brush in rubbing alcohol and gently dab it onto pests to kill them. You may have to discard heavily infested branches.
Powdery mildew, which causes a white, dusty coating on leaves and stems, can be another problem often caused by poor drainage. Also, be careful not to over-fertilize your plants, which can cause bland growth that is prone to this disease.
Why are the leaves of my Chinese money plant yellow?
The leaves of a Chinese money plant can turn yellow for many reasons: lack of moisture, too much water or not enough sunlight are a few. Analyze the compost and, if necessary, water as described above.
Otherwise, with the compost wet, immediately remove the seedling from the waterproof container, repot it in a pot with holes in the base, and allow it to dry on a drain board.
A lack of light will cause the foliage to turn pale yellow and then white, which can naturally occur when older, lower leaves are shaded by those above them. This is not a problem and you can simply drop or cut them to maintain a neat appearance.
However, if you are growing in low light conditions, try to find a slightly brighter spot for it.
How can flowers develop?
Small, branching flowering stems may develop in the spring, after a cooler period during the winter, which would occur in their natural habitat.
Keeping your plant at around 12˚C during the winter months can encourage the little flowers to appear. If you are lucky enough to see them, you may also notice that they release a cloud of pollen, which will settle and pollinate the female flowers of your plant. Small seeds will form and you can collect them to grow new plants from them.
*Via GardeningEtc