Plant Profile: Pilea Peperomioides

Family: Urticaceae
Genus: Pilea
Species: P. peperomioides

Pilea peperomioides are more commonly known as Chinese Money plant, Pancake plant, UFO plant, Lefse plant, Missionary plant, Bender plant, or simply Pilea. One of the rarest and most sought after plants in North America, this plant is admired for its attractive shape, easy care and rapid growth.

Keep It Alive

• Your Pilea prefers medium indirect light to dappled sun.

• Water weekly. Allow soil to dry out before watering. Soil should be dry about 2" down from surface. If leaves start turning brown and crispy on edges or droopy, you are likely under watering your plant or it is not receiving enough humidity. If leaves are yellowing, mushy or falling apart, your are likely overwatering your plant and it may have root rot.

• Normal room humidity is fine, but if the edges burn or crisp, raise the humidity levels. And your Pilea prefers room temperature between 13°C-30°C. It’s best not to let it go below 10°C.

• It is generally a very easy-going plant. May get spider mites and mealybugs. Treat spider mites and mealybugs as soon as they appear with weekly sprays of horticultural (Neem) oil and regular wipe-downs of your Pilea plant.