Chinese money plant care is not hard, but it does require a little bit of attention. Chinese money plants, also known as champs and Chinese jade plant, are some of the most popular houseplants for many reasons. These low-maintenance plants can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Chinese money plant is often used to bring luck to your home or office space. But don’t just take our word for it – here are some reasons why Chinese money plants are perfect for you!
We’re covering some Chinese money plant care tips and different types of Chinese money plants that exist. We’ll also go over common problems with Chinese money plants and how to fix them!
What is a Chinese Money Plant?
The Chinese money plant is also known as pilea peperomia is a striking houseplant that can be grown in low light or outdoors. The Chinese money plant resembles china’s paper currency and symbolizes wealth, prosperity, good fortune, success and monetary gain.
Other common names include Chinese lucky plant, Chinese money tree and china doll. Its name originates from Chinese culture and history. It’s believed that Chinese people started the tradition of growing Chinese money plant in homes, shops and offices to bring good luck and prosperity.
Origins of Chinese Money Plant
Chinese Money Plant is native to Southern China. It was once believed that Chinese money plants were brought back from the Philippines by Chinese sailors in ancient times and hence its common name “money tree”. The Chinese character for ‘champion’ 丽 (lì) which means lovely, beautiful or elegant can be seen on Chinese money plant leaves.
Pilea peperomia is also called the Chinese Missionary Plant and was first found growing on CanShang Mountains in Yunnan.
Chinese Money Plant Care Guide
Soil
Chinese money plant soil prefers a well-draining potting mix. If you are using soil, make sure it drains quickly and doesn’t stay wet for too long. Wetter soils will result in root rot which can kill Chinese money plants fast.
Best soil for pilea peperomia is a mix of potting soil, peat moss and sand. If you’re using Chinese money plants in pots with other houseplants, it’s best to place them at the back or sides so they don’t compete for water and nutrients.
Recommended pilea soil mix, 50% potting soil, 25% peat moss and 25% sand or perlite.
The key to keeping Chinese money plants happy is good drainage, so make sure you don’t use a lot of topsoils (which retains water) in your mix and place them on the floor near sources of ventilation.
Lighting
Peperomia pilea Chinese money plant is a low light houseplant that thrives best in shady areas. If you live in a very cold climate, Chinese money plants may need more artificial lighting than other types of houseplants because they are native to the subtropics and tropics where there’s plenty of sun.
The Chinese money plant is just one type of houseplant that thrives with low light, so if you have a darker corner in your home that’s not getting the right amount of natural sunlight, this could be a perfect spot for Chinese money plants. Make sure champs are not surrounded by other plants which may block sunlight from reaching them.
Watering
Chinese money plant champs should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to touch. In a container, you can use a watering can or water from your tap and pour it over the champs’ roots in order to wet them completely. If using a watering can make sure not to let any excess water fall on the leaves.
Water champs that are planted outdoors as well, but only when there is prolonged dry weather. They can also be watered by hand with a hose or watering can every few days for outdoor champs to keep them hydrated and healthy-looking!
For indoor plants, set your champs on the window sill or near the kitchen sink so that champs can be watered every day.
Chinese money plants do not need a lot of watering, but they can be sensitive to overwatering. You should water them when the top one inch of soil has dried out and then about once a week or every ten days with enough water so that the pot feels heavy for its size (this may vary depending on how frequently the plants are watered).
Temperature
Chinese champs are a common houseplant and can be found in many indoor gardens around the world but it is one of the few plants that cannot tolerate any frost or temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius).
The temperature should be a stable room temperature of 78-86 degrees Fahrenheit (26-30 C). When the Chinese money plant is brought inside for the winter, it should not be placed near any heat vents or in drafty areas to avoid sudden fluctuations. During the winter months, the Chinese money plant is more difficult as it must be kept above 60°F or 15.0 °C in order to grow.
Humidity
Humidity Chinese money plants should be kept at 50% during the winter and in dry temperate regions but can drop to 40%. In humid environments, Chinese money plants should have less water as they prefer high humidity levels of 80% – 90%, or more for a time period to encourage Chinese money plants. Humid air will help maintain healthy leaves.
Fertiliser
Chinese money plant doesn’t require much fertiliser, but it can be provided for a healthy plant. A general-purpose houseplant fertilizer is recommended once or twice a year in the spring and autumn months. This will help to provide adequate nutrients that are needed by your Chinese Money Plant to grow lushly.
If the leaves of your plant are yellow, brown or have a burnt appearance at the tips then it’s experiencing iron deficiency. In order to fix this, you’ll need to mix one tablespoon of Epsom salts in a gallon of water and apply that solution every week for six weeks.
Toxicity
Chinese money plants are not toxic if ingested. They have a sap that can irritate the skin, so keep from contact with sensitive areas and wear gloves when handling the plant. Chinese money plants should be kept away or up high to prevent pets from eating them as they might cause tummy aches in some animals.
Pruning
Pruning is never necessary. This plant does not need to be trimmed, just make sure it has enough light and water. The only time you should ever prune this plant is if there are leaves that have turned brown or dead ones on the bottom of the pilea peperomia’s pot. It may also help to trim the tops of leaves that are too close to the top of its pot.
The stems on the pilea peperomia grow up and then down, so you should cut them back when they reach an inch from touching your plant’s bottom. If there is a stem growing horizontally, wait until it touches your other plants before cutting it back. The reason for this is that if the stem reaches your other plants, then it will be competing with them and overshadowing their light.
Propagation and Growth
Chinese money plant propagation is easy and can be done with cuttings or leaves. Cut off a leaf, strip the leaves from it and place it in soil. Make sure that you keep it moist until roots start to grow out of the bottom.
Growth is slowed down in the winter, so it is important to keep your plant warm. In addition, make sure that you water your plant every week during this time period.
Repotting
When to Repot Pilea Peperomia:
If the plant is sagging and you can see roots at the bottom of the pot, it’s time for a change. This means that your pilea peperomia may be root bound and ready to grow into a bigger pot. The best way to tell if this is the case is to carefully feel around the soil. If it feels like there are roots everywhere, then your plant might be ready for a new pot!
How to Repot Pilea Peperomia:
First, you will need something larger than what you have now that can hold at least two gallons of soil. Fill up the pot with soil and make sure it is well watered. Place your plant in the new container, making sure that you cover the roots completely as they will not grow if they are exposed to air.
Pilea peperomia plants thrive on good drainage so be careful when placing them back into a new pot! Water thoroughly after the plant is situated to make sure that the soil stays moist.
Plant Diseases
Pilea peperomia is a low-maintenance plant but can be susceptible to some fungal diseases, including leaf spots. Leaf spots will appear as brown or black spots on the leaves with most cases appearing in humid conditions and warm temperatures. Cutaway any infected areas of the leaves completely from the rest of the plant and dispose of all materials away from the house to avoid further spread of disease.
There are some preventative measures that can be taken, including rotating plants in and out so they’re not always sitting in stagnant water or keeping them at a distance from other susceptible plants such as spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum). It is also helpful to dust the leaves with a sulfur-based fungicide every now and then.
Chinese Money Plant Variegated
The Chinese Money Plant Variegated is a sprightly plant that you’ll grow to love with its bicolour leaves. The light green and the white variegation are distinct, making it easy for everyone in your family to tell who planted this! It’s just too cute not to share with all those other plants around.
The Chinese Money Plant Variegated, with its striped leaves, is a popular houseplant. The plant has large and colourful waxy-green foliage that are variegate to create white stripes against the green background of the leaf blade. Leaves are oval in shape with pointed tips at both ends giving them an attractive appearance. In bright light, the leaves turn bluish-green.
Common Issues with Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomia plants are fairly easy and low maintenance, but they can still be susceptible to some problems like root rot or powdery mildew. To combat these issues, it’s important to give the plant plenty of water and to make sure the soil is moist. Ensure that it’s not located in direct sunlight, or else the leaves will burn.
Other issues that might arise with the Chinese money plant are fungi or pests like scale, mealybugs, thrips and spider mites. If you suspect any of these problems to be present, then it’s important to take action immediately before they spread.
Tips for Keeping Chinese Money Plant Happy
It is important that you keep your Chinese Money Plant happy and healthy. You can do this by maintaining a few simple factors like light, water, temperature, humidity and fertilizer. Here are some tips to help you do that.
- Place Chinese Money Plant in a room with plenty of natural light, but not direct sun. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and cause them to wilt or dry out.
- If your plant is on the windowsill outside, make sure it’s getting enough water; it should not need to be watered more than once per week.
- Keep the temperature inside your home between a range of 60°F and 80°F (16°C – 26°C)
- Chinese Money Plants enjoy both high humidity (>50%) and dry air (<30% relative humidity). To combat this, keep plants in an area with low humidity during the day, and use a humidifier in drier rooms at night.
- Fertilize your plant every two weeks with any water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Chinese Money Plant is an extremely forgiving houseplant that requires very little maintenance if you give it what it needs to thrive: warmth, light, occasional water, fertilizer, and humidity.
Chinese Money Plant Care Frequently Asked Questions
How much sun does a Chinese money plant need?
The Chinese money plant thrives in indirect light. It needs a minimum of four hours of sunlight each day, but it does not need to be direct. The more sun you can provide the better! For some plants that are new or relocated from their original environment, they may require about six weeks for acclimatization before being placed in direct sun.
Should I mist my Chinese money plant?
Yes, misting or spraying the plant will help maintain its humidity. In general, you should mist once a day in the morning for fifteen minutes. It’s also recommended that you use distilled water and room temperature tap water when watering your Chinese money plants with soil in order to avoid fungal problems. Mist often enough so that leaves are moist.
You should also mist your plant when it is experiencing a lot of sunlight, such as after the summer or during winter months in some parts of the country. You can use about one cup for every three gallons of water to help keep moisture levels up and prevent leaves from turning brown. If you are going on vacation, this is a great time to ask a friend or neighbour about watering your plants.
When misting, cover the plant with a plastic bag and seal it tightly around the pot’s base. You can also wrap aluminium foil at the bottom of each stem to help trap moisture in before taking off after fifteen minutes. Remember that if you are using a plastic bag for misting, it shouldn’t be that tight or the plant will not get enough oxygen.
If you don’t have a spray bottle handy to mist your Chinese money plants with water, try using a damp cloth instead for fifteen minutes at least once every day. It is also recommended to use distilled water when watering these types of plants in order to avoid fungal problems.
If you are in a dry environment, don’t forget to mist your plant more often than if you live in an area that is humid year-round.
Where should I put my Chinese money plant?
Finding the perfect spot for your Chinese money plant is key to maintaining a happy and healthy plant. The care guide recommends placing the plants in an area with plenty of indirect light near a window, but not directly in front of it. If you have fluorescent lights that emit UV rays nearby, move your pilea peperomia away from the bulbs.
Chinese money plants are not fans of direct sunlight and will scorch if left out in the sun for too long, so do your best to keep it shaded from all angles during periods of high heat or intense light. Placing a sheer curtain can help block out excess light while still letting plenty enter into space.
Why is my Chinese money plant dying?
One of the most common reasons for a Chinese money plant to die is overwatering. It’s very important not to overwater your plants, and it will take some trial and error before you figure out what routine works best for you.
For example: if I’m at home while my plants are watering themselves in their self-watering pot, I will water them every day. If I’m out of town for a week and my plants are watering themselves in their self-watering pot, they’re only watered about once per week or two.
The other reason for the plant to die is under lighting conditions – many people kill off their Chinese money plants by placing them in a dark corner of a room.
Make sure your plant is close to a window with some natural light, or near an artificial light source that has been fitted for the specific needs of plants (a fluorescent tube in particular).
Are Chinese money plants toxic?
No. Pilea Peperomia is not toxic and doesn’t have any harmful effects on humans or pets (minus the occasional stomachache). It may cause a reaction in people who are allergic to plants, but otherwise, it’s perfectly safe to grow these little guys indoors and out.
Conclusion
Chinese money plants are a great addition to any home. They’re easy to grow, don’t require much attention and they like the same conditions as humans do – so if you want your champs glowing then give them what they need for optimal health!
The Chinese money plant is not toxic but it’s important that people with allergies stay away from them. They may cause a reaction but they’re otherwise perfectly safe and easy to grow.
If you haven’t already got yours, get a pair of these pilea’s for $19.95 or a single one for $7.99.
If you want your money plants glowing then give them what they need for optimal health! We hope this Chinese money plant care guide helped you. Pilea plant care is relatively easy and rewarding. With the right environment, they will flourish!
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