Pilea peperomioides also called as Chinese money plant, pancake plant, UFO plant, lefse plant, missionary plant,' "Bender Plant"', mirror grass, is a species in the genus Pilea. Known for its charming beauty and dwarf size, it is a perfect addition to the windowsill garden ans will standout in your home on tabletops, counters, or in a hanging basket.
Pilea peperomioides also called as Chinese money plant, pancake plant, UFO plant, lefse plant, missionary plant,' "Bender Plant"', mirror grass, is a species in the genus Pilea. Known for its charming beauty and dwarf size, it is a perfect addition to the windowsill garden and will standout in your home on tabletops, counters, or in a hanging basket.
IDENTIFY PILEA PEPEROMIOIDES - CHINESE MONEY PLANT
Pilea peperomioides is native to Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in southern China. Here it grows on shady, damp rocks in forests at altitudes from 1500 to 3000m. It is very rare and possibly endangered in its native habitat. However, it is kept in China and worldwide as an ornamental plant.
It is one of the easiest houseplants to grow, and can be easily propagated to share with friends, but until recently these plants have not been widely available commercially. Pilea Peperomioides was long a mystery to horticulturists, who couldn't determine what kind of plant it was or from where it had originated. It was later discovered the plant is native to the Yunnan province in southern China, and was brought to Scandinavia by a missionary who shared cuttings of the plant with friends and neighbors, which explains its ubiquity in Scandinavian homes.
Chinese money plant is an erect, succulent, evergreen perennial which growing 30 cm (12 in) tall and wide, with round, dark green, peltate leaves that become mounded as the plant matures and give the appearance of large, green coins stacked on top of one another.
The tiny white flowers borne from a delicate flower stalk that reaches up from the center of the plant. Under cooler growing conditions, it will flower in the wintertime although, as with most Pileas, the flowers are somewhat insignificant.
PILEA PEPEROMIOIDES - CHINESE MONEY PLANT CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Pilea peperomioides do best in a bright, indirect sunny spot in your home. Even though this plant is part of the succulent family, do not place your plant in direct sunlight since it will scorch the leaves. In order to prevent your plant from growing lopsided, rotate it at least 2-3 times a week since it grows towards the sun. This plant can adapt to lower light areas, but the leaves will turn a darker green and the plant will spread out more.
The leaves that have been exposed to too much direct sunlight will sunburn and turn yellow. Trim sunburned leaves off of the plant and move the plant to a shadier location immediately.
Temperature:
Normal household temperatures between 65-75 °F (15-23 °C) are fine. However, make sure that your Pilea does not sit near the heating vents in the winter, as it will drop its leaves. They shouldn’t normally survive temperatures lower than 50°F (10°C) in winter. It is best to grow the plant indoors, since, indeed, the slightest frost will kill it.
Substrate and growing media:
Chinese money plant grow best in smaller pots or planters where their roots will be somewhat restricted, choose a new pot that’s just one or two inches larger in diameter than the old pot. They should be planted in a peat moss based commercial potting mix with leaf mold and perlite added. Check the root density every spring, if the roots are becoming overly dense, transplant the plant to a size larger pot. If you do not, the root system will break the container in an attempt to find more room to grow.
Watering:
Isn’t too fussy about humidity, and although its leaves are succulent-like, it prefers more water than a cactus. Like a lot of succulent plants, it is prone to root-rot, so allow the soil to dry between waterings, as Pilea do not like soggy soil. Watch the leaves - when they start looking a tad droopy, it’s time to water your plant. During spring and summer, the top quarter inch of the soil should be kept moist. During fall and winter, allow the top quarter inch of soil to dry out before watering again.
If you notice white spots on your plant, they are most likely caused by salts and chemicals in your water. If you do not have a filtration system, leaving the tap water in an open container overnight before watering can help remove some of the chlorine and fluoride.
Fertilizer:
For best results, use a general liquid houseplant fertilizer at half strength twice during the spring and summer. Do not fertilize a dry plant; instead water it first and then fertilize the next day.
If a white crust develops on the soil, it’s a sign of fertilizer salt build up. If this occurs, hold off on your fertilization for a few months. In addition, make sure you’re flushing water through the pot each time you water. Evidence of salt buildup also shows up as a white crust on the outside of terra cotta pots.
Pruning:
Pinch the terminal stem (the topmost one) between 2 fingernails to force the plant to start branching out. If you wish for the plant to keep a bushy bearing and grow as many branches as can be, simply keep pinching young shoots off after a bud.
Blight (plant disease) can occasionally set up in a plant. It will usually begin in one leaf, turning it brown and rotten. Remove this stem from the plant to prevent it from spreading to the entire plant.
Propagation:
Pilea peperomioides often sprout offsets known as pups around the base of the plant, which when left to grow will create a bushier plant. Once the pups have reached a suitable size and established roots, they can be removed from the base of the plant and re-potted. Use a sharp knife and slice the plant away from the mother plant and place it in a potting mix with good drainage. The bigger the pup the better chance of survival.
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