Pilea peperomioides , also call in the Formosan money plant or UFO plant , is a trendy and gorgeous flora . While somepopular gardening trendsfocus on rarified or difficult to find plants , this adorable plant is surprisingly easy to find ! Not only that , it ’s easy to grow and care for . With its magic UFO - shaped leave and elusive but precious flowers , thePilea peperomioidesmakes a bully addition to any indoor garden . If you ’ve latterly picked up a Taiwanese money plant and are n’t sure how to deal for it , then you ’re in the correct place . We ’ve assembled the just care peak to keep your Taiwanese money plant happy and healthy — and even serve it bloom !
What is the Pilea peperomioides?
This is a unique - look plant that ’s often discover as lovely , which is what caused its initial popularity boom and what maintain it near the top of so many flora wishlists . aboriginal to southerly China , thePilea peperomioidesgoes by many other names , including the friendship plant , Chinese money plant , UFO plant , coin industrial plant , and pancake industrial plant .
Its leaves are almost a perfect lot , which explains three of its nicknames . The leaves are thick , glossy , and a bit waxy , lending it an almost artificial look . A Pilea works can grow up to 12 inches marvellous and wide , and reaching these measurements rather cursorily if all of its needs are meet .
This initiate - friendly plant will also start to sprout " baby plants " when it ’s happy and healthy . These " pups " can be take away and repotted to give aside to friends and folk .
General care tips for a Chinese money plant
You ’ve probably regard the photos on Instagram of a Pilea works that ’s grown so large it looks like a small tree diagram . If that ’s your goal , you ’re going to want to allow your plant with precisely what it want so it can grow to its entire potential . Or perchance you just want to keep your flora healthy and glad . The care is the same either mode .
Temperature postulate : There ’s no pauperization to interest too much about the temperature for these plants ; they grow fantastically in middling dwelling temperature between 65 and 75 degrees . However , avoid placing them near vents , drafty door or stale fleck , as these areas can fluctuate speedily and damage the plants .
Humidity needs : These plant life are n’t picky about the humidity levels of their surroundings and will flourish utterly o.k. in the median house . Just be sure to give your industrial plant a shower now and then to clean the dust off its farewell .
Pilea light needs
Pileas like metier to bright light , but they do n’t want direct sunshine ; this can burn up the plant and even kill it . Here ’s how to ensure that your industrial plant is getting the correct amount of light :
footstep 1 : localize your Chinese money plant next to a windowpane with a sheer cover , or come out it about 5 to 6 feet away from a window where it can get deal of afternoon sun .
Step 2 : go around your plant regularly .
The Pilea plant bends and succeed the sun quickly . revolve it allows the plant to keep growing straight and tall . While this is primarily an esthetical care backsheesh , it ’s also better for the plant to grow direct so that it ’s less likely to topple over in its lot .
How to water and fertilize the Chinese money plant
Many industrial plant give you obvious signs that they ’re ready to be watered . ThePilea peperomioidesis one of those plant . You ’ll need to avoid allow the plant get ironic enough to react , but do n’t panic if you see the leaves loll ; as long as you overhear the wilt signs that morning and give the works a big drink , they will perk back up .
Step 1 : utilize a moisture metre to check the industrial plant ’s territory every few days .
In doing so , you ’ll get an accurate recital of the grime condition andavoid overwatering your flora .
stair 2 : Water your Pilea works only when the soil is wry .
Step 3 : Dump out the excess water and return the flora to its tray .
whole step 4 : Feed the plant abalanced liquid fertilizerabout once a calendar month during the growing season ( spring , summertime , and twilight ) .
The Pilea plant does n’t require fertilizer in the wintertime .
Is the Pilea peperomioides toxic?
ThePilea peperomioidesis a non - toxic plant life that’ssafe to grow around cats , dogs , and humans . However , cats can find these bouncy leaves fun to play with . While the industrial plant wo n’t harm your cat if they take a nibble , your cat could well kill your plant , so you ’ll belike desire to put your plant in a locating they ca n’t hit .
Encouraging your Pilea plant to bloom
footstep 1 : Start look for flowers when your Pilea plant life is around three years old .
Step 2 : Make certain your flora ’s want are being met .
If your Pilea plant is n’t getting enough body of water , light , or nutrients , it wo n’t blossom .
Step 3 : Move your UFO plant to a cool way during winter .
Most base are too warm for industrial plant to register winter when it arrives . This can throw off a plant ’s internal clock , which leads to stay blooming or skipped dormancy periods .
stone’s throw 4 : Keep trying !
Consistency is key . Your Pilea plant life might not flower in the first class after following these steps , but staying consistent with its forethought will insure it does flower eventually .
How to propagate a Pilea plant
propagate a Pilea plant is very like to propagating an aloe , bromeliad , or jade plant . Here ’s how to go about it — we anticipate that you ’ll have a rooted whelp in no clock time by following these steps .
Step 1 : insure the base of your plant for " puppy , " or minuscule branch .
pace 2 : Take a sharp blade and off the pup as close to the female parent plant as possible .
Step 3 : Pot the whelp up in a houseplant potting mix . For added aeration , mix in perlite or vermiculite .
add rooting hormone to the let out leaf node is helpful but not necessary . Some people may also pick out to leave their pups in water for a few days before potting them up in soil .
stone’s throw 4 : depart your potted pup by a bright window and irrigate it regularly . Before you know it , you ’ll have a rooted plant that ’s quick for you to portion out with fellow foliage fancier !
Can you grow a Chinese money plant in water?
Yes , you could grow a pilea plant in needer ! Transferring your pilea from soil to H2O can be tricky , so this method works best when you start with a cutting or a puppy . If you want to hear growing your rooted pilea in water , softly move out all the stain from the roots first , and rinse them fair . You do n’t desire the water getting dirty , as this can contribute to fungous growth or bacterial infections .
To grow your pilea press cutting or pup in water , here ’s what to do :
footstep 1 : take out the cut or pup with a sharp , uncontaminating knife or scissors , and get rid of the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting .
The bottom half will be submerged in the water , so any leaves that would be subaqueous will need to be bump off .
Step 2 : Select a cup or vase that will support the film editing or pup , keep it erect .
Avoid cup , bowl or vases that are too large or too shallow to hold up the cutting . If the press clipping or pup falls over and the leaves are submerged , they could waste .
Step 3 : tot a dab of root endocrine to the bottom of the cutting or pup .
This is optional , but can be helpful .
Step 4 : Fill the container with room temperature H2O .
measure 5 : Replace the water every month with sassy , way temperature water .
Step 6 : cleanse the container and the plant ’s roots every month , when you supplant the urine .
Avoid harsh chemicals that might linger and harm your works . Cleaning the container with unmingled , blistering urine and a gentle dish soap gets disembarrass of mineral build ups and any algae that might be shape . The roots only need a blue rinse to keep them clean and healthy .
Step 7 : fee your pilea with a balanced fluent fertilizer once a month .
Your flora needs nutrient to get , and without grunge those nutrients have to come from the water system . Only use a diminished amount to avoid plant food suntan . Unlike a potted works or a garden plant , where excess fertilizer can drain away from the roots when the plant is watered , the excess fertiliser in a hydroponic garden has nowhere to go .
Now you may bring this adorable works household and care for it without concern ! After by rights sustain your plant to optimum wellness , you’re able to even boost it to bloom and portion out it through generation .
