Propagation with cuttings is a simple way to multiply your plant, and the Pilea, also known as the Chinese Money Plant or the Friendship Plant, is the perfect candidate! In fact, it gets the nickname “Friendship Plant” because it was traditionally passed on from one friend to another via cuttings. As such, for a long time, it was a hard plant to find on the shelves of local plant shops and nurseries. Luckily, that’s no longer the case, which makes it the perfect gift to send to a friend (even the New York Times agrees it’s the perfect gift!), or get for yourself and pass along cuttings!

If you’re wondering how to care for your Pilea, check out our complete care guide including light recommendations, watering tips and troubleshooting when things go awry.

How to propagate the Pilea

Propagating the Pilea Peperomiodes is incredibly simple:

The “mother plant” is the central stalk of your plant, while the “pups” are smaller offshoots growing in the surrounding soil.

Cut at the base of a pup, and place in water while it roots.

1. Locate small offsets, or baby Pileas (AKA “pups”), at the base of the plant. You will find these below the main stalk— if your plant doesn’t have any, hold off! They will sprout up soon.

2. Using a clean blade, cut an offset at the base or closest to the soil as possible.

3. Place the stem of the offset in a small glass or jar with water. Make sure only the stem or shoot is submerged — do not submerge any leaves, as they will rot (you may need to remove some leaves).

4. Place in an area with bright, indirect light and wait. You may like to change the water every few days to keep it fresh. After a week or two, you should see roots begin to sprout.

5. Once the roots have grown to about an inch long, carefully place them in a small pot with fresh soil, gently pressing down on the soil once it’s potted. Keep the soil just moist to the touch for the first few weeks until the plant has taken root.

Good luck and happy propagating! Don’t forget to fertilize your plant once it’s taken root— a gentle fertilizer like Boost Vitaminé natural plant food will help it grow into a healthier and stronger mature plant!

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Could the Pilea Peperomiodes be right for you?

Pilea peperomioides, often shortened to simply “Pilea”, are popular houseplants due to their beauty, ease of care and propagation, and the belief that they bring good fortune into a home or family. 

The Pilea is known by many names, such as “pancake plant,” “UFO plant,” and “friendship plant,” for its appearance and ease of propagation (pass it on to friends!), but perhaps its most common nickname is the “Chinese Money Plant.” Native to the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in Southern China, Pilea wasn’t a well-known cultivar in the West until the last few decades, when it exploded in popularity. 

the Pilea makes a great gift

Over the years, the Chinese Money Plant has come to symbolize good luck and fortune, making it a well-loved housewarming gift. In fact, even The New York Times believes it to be the perfect housewarming gift to mark this special milestone in your recipient’s life! Anyone can care for and enjoy a thriving Pilea plant, so it’s a lovely gift option for plant-lovers of all skill levels and any aesthetic, from elegant neutrals to funky bohemian spaces. 

THE FRIENDSHIP PLANT

In addition to its reputation of bringing luck and prosperity to its owner, these gorgeous plants represent friendship. The Pilea plant was first introduced into the West by Norwegian missionary Agnar Espegren (hence its additional nickname, “missionary plant”), who brought cuttings of Pilea to Scandinavia in the 1940s. Thanks to how easy it is to propagate, cuttings circulated throughout communities as gardeners gifted cuttings to one another. Today, we’re lucky to have Pilea readily available online and in local plant stores, but there’s still something special about gifting someone a baby Pilea plant grown from a specimen of your own!

Pileas Do Best WITH INDIRECT LIGHT

Pilea plants can grow in a variety of lighting conditions, but do best in bright, indirect light with brief periods of light shade. Too much sun can scorch the coin-shaped foliage, while dark corners can stunt the plant’s growth. 

Pro tip: Pilea plants tend to grow in the direction of the sun, so be sure to rotate larger plants periodically to make sure it’s growing nice and evenly. 

Where to place your Pilea

These hardy plants can handle most temperatures in the home -- cooler conditions can even encourage blooms, but it’s best not to put it in conditions that reach below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Put your new Pilea a few feet away from an East- or West-facing window, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere. Avoid extremely bright windows to avoid sunburn, or put up a sheer curtain to help filter the light. You may want to follow Feng Shui guidelines to determine where to place your plant, too, which may require supplementary grow lights. 

water only when dry

Water your Chinese Money Plant when the top few inches of the soil are dry, with care not to overwater it. These plants are also a great candidate for bottom-watering -- placing the full plant pot in a shallow tub of water for several minutes and allowing it to absorb moisture through its root system. 

As with the rest of the plants in your collection, Pilea do not like having “wet feet,” so ensure your plant is in well-draining soil and in a receptacle with adequate drainage holes. 

fertilizing your pilea

These easy-going plants don’t require significant attention or fertilizing. If you choose to fertilize your Pilea, select a high-quality, natural fertilizer and use it sparingly, only during the growing season of spring and summer. 

PILEAS CAN SOMETIMES BE TRICKY

Adorable and quirky, the Pilea is known to bring good luck and fortune to its home.

The most common challenges people experience with Pilea peperomioides care are related to watering or too much sunlight. 

Browning stems, yellowing leaves, or loose petioles (the part of the stem that reaches the leaf), are likely due to overwatering or root rot. Make sure your plant is draining excess water whenever you water it, and if it seems like it is beginning to experience root rot, repot it in fresh, chunky soil and wait longer in between waterings. 

Pilea plants aren’t pest magnets, but if insects start to make a home in your plant, it requires swift attention. Apply a natural insecticide, castile soap, or diluted horticultural oil to treat the issue and prevent future infestations. 

Propagating This Plant is easy

The Pilea peperomioides plant practically propagates itself -- the process is incredibly simple, which is why it’s become a go-to green gift over the years. 

These plants produce small offshoots off the base of the plant’s main stalk. To propagate your plant for a gift or for yourself, carefully cut off these “babies” once they’re a few inches tall, and place either directly in soil or in a shallow cup of water to root. Check out step-by-step instructions here -- happy Pilea gifting!

How to select a healthy Pilea

A healthy Pilea has vibrant, glossy, emerald green leaves that won’t wilt or droop. Petioles should be firm and not detach from the stalk when you give it a gentle tug. Extra-healthy plants might already have small baby offshoots and will be ready to propagate.

Pileas are non-toxic and safe for pets

These gorgeous plants are extra lucky because they are non-toxic, making them a good housewarming gift even for homes filled with pets and children. 

Avoid purchasing your Pilea from a garden center 

You should always purchase your plants from a trusted supplier to ensure you’re purchasing and gifting the highest-quality plants. Plants from garden centers often experience root rot due to being overwatered and watered in batches. To make sure you’re getting a healthy Pilea peperomioides plant, order one from a quality retailer or seller, or get a cutting from a friend! 

Try your Pilea in a terrarium!

Pilea peperomioides are excellent candidates for terrarium planting. They like humidity (they are native to the base of the Himalayas, after all), and make for a lovely accent to an enclosed foliage arrangement. 

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Chinese Money Plant

AKA pilea peperomiodes

The peculiar Pilea Peperomiodes, also known as the Chinese Money Plant or the Friendship Plant, has one of the most unique stories of the houseplant world. Originally hailing from the Himalyan mountains, this plant was brought to Europe by a Swedish missionary, and, being incredibly simple to propagate, was multiplied and passed around from friend to friend. As such, for many years it was very difficult to actually purchase, given that horticulturists did not typically grow it. Luckily that’s no longer the case, and these plants are not only relatively easy to find but also incredibly easy to care for. With just a little light, water, and love, you too can grow— and pass on— the lovely Pilea Peperomiodes!

Light requirements for the Pilea

Pileas are not too picky when it comes to light. They prefer bright indirect light, though they can adjust to medium levels of light and also stand a few hours of direct sunlight.

How to water your Pilea

Let your Pilea dry out between waterings, and water thoroughly when topsoil is dry, usually once a week. Avoid overwatering, and note that your watering schedule may be less frequent during winter months.

Are Pileas fast growers?

The Pilea can be a pretty fast grower, though its leaves generally remain quite small. In prime conditions, the Pilea can grow over three feet tall. Fertilize your Pilea 1-2 times per month in the spring and summer with indoor plant food, or foliar feed year round.

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Common problems with Pileas or Chinese Money Plant

Leaves drooping

It is not uncommon for Pileas’ leaves to droop, and unfortunately there are many different things that cause this. The first thing to check is if the plant is thirsty — if you haven’t watered it in a while, it’s possible that it’s just too dry and has lost its perkiness. Check the soil and if you find this the case (the soil is bone dry), simply give it a good water—ideally in the sink, and even leave it in a bowl with water for a few hours!

Drooping leaves on a Pilea can also be the result of overwatering. Make sure you are only watering when your plant’s soil is dry. If the plant has been severely overwatered, you may have a case of root rot and will need to repot.

Leaves curling

When the Pilea has curling leaves, it most likely is a case of too much sunlight, for example several hours of hot summer sun or strong afternoon sun.

Brown spots

Brown spots, like other issues with the Pilea, can mean many different things. For one, it could mean sunburn—make sure your plant is not getting harsh rays of sunlight for extended periods. Do you fertilize your Pilea? Make sure not to give it more than the recommended dose, as this could lead to fertilizer burn on the plant’s foliage. Finally, and particularly during the winter, make sure your plant isn’t too close to a drafty or freezing window. These plants like moderately warm environments and their leaves will show if exposed to cold temperatures.

White grains on the leaves

Worry not! Pileas develop white grains on their leaves which are simply mineral deposits. You can leave them be, or clean the leaves with a damp cloth.

How to maintain a beautiful and healthy Pilea Peperomiodes

Take care of your Pilea and it will take care of you! Below are simple tips to continue caring for your Pilea or Chinese Money Plant over time.

• Pruning & Shaping - Remove dry or dead leaves all year round, but save any major pruning for the spring and summer months. If you would like to modify the shape of your Pilea, simply pinch off any undesired leaves at the base of the stem.

• Cleaning - The thick leaves of the Pilea can accumulate a lot of dust! Rinse them under the sink when watering, or gently wipe away dust with a wet cloth once every few weeks (this also helps the plant soak in more light!).

• Repotting - Houseplants grow much slower than they would in the wild. Depending on the size of your plant and the density of the roots, this is nice to do every 2-3 years to provide fresh nutrients and encourage new growth.

  • When to repot - Pileas do not need to be repotted often. Repot with fresh soil once every 1-2 years.

  • Pot sizing - if you want your plant to grow taller, find a nursery pot that’s 2” in diameter larger than the current pot. If you want your plant to stay the same height, you can reuse the same pot and simply change the soil.

  • Get your hands dirty - remove the plant from the pot and shake off as much of the old soil as possible so that you have clean roots. Place the plant in the center of the pot, add new soil and pat down firmly. Water the soil thoroughly and place the plant in an area with bright indirect light. Your plant will take 2-4 weeks to settle from the shock and adjust to its new home.

How to propagate a Pilea Peperomiodes

The Pilea is one of the easiest plants to propagate, hence earning itself the name “the friendship plant”, as it is so commonly propagated and passed on from one friend to another. Propagating is very simple, but see our full guide (with images) on how to propagate the Pilea if you need more assistance!

• Select a stem to propagate - Your Pilea will have one main mother plant and smaller babies that grow at the base of the mother plant. Using sharp, clean scissors or shears, remove one of these babies at the base. This will be the piece you propagate. Don’t have any babies yet? Wait for them to sprout up before propagating!

• Place in water - Find a clear glass and fill with water. Make sure only the stem is submerged, and no leaves are sitting in the water.

• Place in a bright area and wait! - Avoid any direct sun. You may need to change the water out every few days to keep it fresh. It usually takes just a few days for the root to start growing.

• Transfer to soil - After a week or so, transfer to indoor potting soil. A small pot is best — no larger than 6” in diameter.

• Keep hydrated - During the first few weeks, or until your plant feels firmly rooted in its soil, regularly water and drain your Monstera. The soil should be just barely moist to the touch at all times.

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How to propagate the Pothos with cuttings: cut just below the node!

When it comes to propagation, Pothos is the way to go. There is no plant quite as simple to propagate as the Pothos, and given the lushness of this particular plant, you can literally make dozens of new Pothos from one in just a few simple steps!

Looking for Pothos plant care? Check out our full care guide, or read up on everything you should know before buying a Pothos.

How to propagate Pothos plants

Pothos propagation is incredibly simple:

Step one: Select a stem with a leaf and locate the node. The node is like a joint: it is where new stems erupt, and often appears just below the stem of a leaf.

Step two: Using a clean blade, cut just below the node. You can also include a few different nodes in one cutting!

Step three: Place the stem and its node in a glass or jar with water. Make sure only the stem and node are submerged — do not submerge any leaves as they will rot.

Step four: Place in an area with bright, indirect light and wait. You may like to change the water every few days to keep it fresh. After a week or two, you should see roots begin to sprout.

Pro tip: your cutting can “live” like this for ages as a beautiful and minimal piece of decor! Feel free to stop here or go on to step 5 if you’d like to grow a full new plant.

Step five: Once the roots are visible, carefully place them in a small pot with fresh indoor potting soil and gently press down. Keep the soil just moist to the touch, ideally by misting it heavily, for the first few weeks until the plant has taken root.

Good luck, happy propagating, and show us your new plant babies by tagging us @leonandgeorge on Instagram!

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