The Chinese money plant (also known as Pilea peperomioides plant, UFO plant, pancake plant, Norwegian missionary plant, friendship plant, or coin plant) is a species of flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. Its native habitat was in southern China (Yunnan province and Sichuan province), but now can be found around the world due to its popularity as an indoor ornamental garden plant. Its small, flat leaves resemble coins (hence one of its common names), and it grows tiny white flowers on occasion which are quite lovely!

As long as you provide this houseplant with bright light and warmth that does not go below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night (or if you live somewhere cold like Chicago or Maine where plants need winter dormancy) it will thrive indoors for years without much fuss.

The Chinese money plant has a tendency to grow long, slender stems that need support (I usually lean mine against the side of my house for stability).

This low-maintenance indoor garden is perfect in your home office or living room as it thrives on neglect!

Chinese money plants are tropical indoor houseplants. They grow in small shrubs with dark green leaves and white flowers that bloom only when the plant is mature enough to flower.

Light

The Chinese money plant prefers bright indirect light or bright, filtered light from a west-facing window -- not direct morning sun or direct sun (if you place your chinese money plant there).

Water

The plant prefers moist soil, but if it gets too much water, it may cause root rot and harm the unique foliage, so best to plant in a plastic pot or terracotta pot with drainage holes that allow excess water to drain out. Do not overwater your chinese money plant; allow draining soil to dry between watering times but do not let soil become completely dried out before re-watering. Keep an eye on humidity levels by checking daily how moist the top inch of potting mix feels. If the top inch of soil feels dry, water your money plant.

Fertilizer

Do not fertilize a chinese money plant until it has been growing for six to eight weeks and is showing signs of growth (new leaves). Once you notice new growth on your Chinese Money Plant, begin fertilizing with a complete liquid fertilizer every seven days or feed with an all-purpose granular fertilizer at half strength once per month during spring and summer months.

Yellow Leaves

If leaves turn yellow on your chinese money plant when you begin fertilizing it for the first time, move it away from direct sunlight until new growth begins -- if this does not happen after two weeks, take cuttings immediately as they will never regrow once burnt by too much sun exposure.

Toxicity

Chinese money plants are poisonous if eaten; keep them out of reach from pets and children who may touch or ingest parts of the houseplant by mistake.

Cleaning

Keep this tropical indoor foliage clean by wiping its leaves regularly using warm water mixed with mild dish soap in your sink basin -- do not use leaf shine products on your Chinese Money Plant.

Air Circulation

If you have many plants in one room, make sure that there is adequate air movement and circulation to reduce the likelihood of disease from setting into any healthy plant. Place a fan near indoor houseplants which helps with air circulation; however, do not place an oscillating fan next to chinese money plant because its foliage may be damaged by wind damage or become dried out at temperatures below 50 degrees F.

Repotting

Never repot a chinese money plant that has been in the same potting mix for more than two years. Use fresh potting soil and a new pot every other year to reduce likelihood of any diseases or pests taking hold in your Chinese Money Plant's root system.

Propagation

Chinese money plants are propagated by cuttings which should be taken in late spring or early summer. To propagate a new plant, remove one or several stems at the point where leaves attach to stem (nodes) using sharp pruning shears or a sharp knife and place them in water until they begin showing signs of new growth; then transfer them into potting soil mixture with perlite added for drainage purposes.

Stem Cuttings

Place these sections from your chinese money plant directly into moistened clean sand that has been placed inside pots filled with pro-mix media made specifically for rooting cuttings. Once rooted, transplant each cutting individually into individual containers filled with potting mix meant for growing healthy houseplants indoors.

Root Cuttings

These are taken when you see new growth from the chinese money plant's roots. Remove a section of healthy root system with attached nodes and place them directly into moistened pro-mix made specifically for rooting cuttings until they begin showing signs of new leaves. Once rooted, transplant each cutting individually into individual containers filled with potting mix meant for growing healthy houseplants indoors.