How to Care for Chinese Money Plants—One of Martha's Favorite Plants to Gift Plus, Martha explains how to propagate this easy-to-care-for plant. In This Article View All In This Article Introduction How to Grow Care Tips Propagating FAQ Close Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo Pilea peperomioides is the gift that keeps on giving. Also known as the Chinese money plant, this sought-after charmer is an unfussy variety that continuously produces offspring. Because it's so easy to grow, Martha loves to give pots of the plant as gifts to friends, especially children. Here, learn expert-approved tips for growing and caring for Chinese money plants, including Martha's propagating instructions. Marc Hachadourian, director of glasshouse horticulture and senior curator of orchids at The New York Botanical Garden 14 Easy Houseplants Anyone Can Grow What Is a Chinese Money Plant? Chinese money plants grow from thickened stems that produce long petioles with coin-like leaves, which are said to symbolize good fortune, says Marc Hachadourian, the director of glasshouse horticulture and senior curator of orchids at The New York Botanical Garden. "Even though the species name suggests it resembles a peperomia, the plant is a member of the stinging nettle family—but, thankfully, without the irritating hairs that some of its cousins have," he says. "It will produce clusters of small green flowers on a branching inflorescence that are easily overlooked by the curious and attractive leaves." How to Grow Your Money Plant As a houseplant, Hachadourian notes that the Chinese money plant is easy to tend to, as long as you maintain its conditions as it sits on a windowsill or another spot indoors. Lighting "It prefers medium to bright light and can be stressed or burned in very intense sunlight," says Hachadourian. "If you hold your hand about a foot away, your hand should make a slightly diffuse shadow—if the shadow is sharply defined, it might be too much light." If the leaves are a yellow-green color, instead of a bright, light green hue, then it could be a sign that the plant is receiving too much sunlight. Soil The Chinese money plant needs a well-drained mix of soil with perlite for added drainage to stay healthy. Plus, it needs ample aeration to allow it to dry out a bit, not completely, between waterings. You'll notice that the thickened stems will rot if the plant is too waterlogged. Environment "Like many houseplants, the money plant can tolerate periods of low humidity and drying, making it a good plant for interiors," says Hachadourian. "It would benefit from regular applications of dilute fertilizers that will help the plant produce abundant leaves and even side branches, which can be removed and easily propagated as cuttings." Don't Miss 9 Tall Houseplants That Will Add Drama to Your Interior Houseplants That Are Perfect for Your Baby's Nursery How to Care for Your Money Plant As the plant grows, it will produce a tall stem and branches. At this point, you can either use a small stake to secure it or allow it to grow in a horizontal direction into serpentine-like shapes, says Hachadourian. "If the plants are too tall, you can easily cut the tip of the growth, leaving several inches of stem and root the tip as a new cutting," he says. "As plants get older, they will make side branches, which can be left to allow the plants to develop into many-leaved specimens or removed and propagated to increase your collection or share with others." Since these plants can be repotted to propagate and be gifted to others, follow Martha's process to spread the wealth. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Sharp knife Hand trowel Pruners Materials Clay pots Potting soil Granulated organic fertilizer Instructions How to Propagate Your Money Plant Since these plants can be repotted to propagate and gift to others, follow Martha's process to spread the wealth. Look for Plantlets Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo A plant will produce little offshoots, or pups, that sprout from the soil. When they're 2 to 3 inches high and have several leaves, they're ready to be repotted. Make the Cut Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo Carefully remove the entire plant from its container. Using a sharp, clean knife, gently slice around each plantlet. Arrange the Planting Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo Each pup should have at least an inch of roots attached. Repot the mother plant back into its original container. Prep Small Clay Pots Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo Place a pottery shard at the bottom of each pot to cover the holes. Fill about 2/3 of each container with a well-draining potting soil mixed with granulated organic fertilizer. Repeat. Insert Plantlets Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo Nestle each pup into a container. Its depth should be the same as it was when growing on the mother plant. Fill with soil, and tamp it down lightly to remove air pockets. Groom and Hydrate Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo With clean, sharp clippers, snip away any damaged leaves. Water each pot thoroughly. Place them in a spot with bright indirect light, and let the soil dry out between waterings. Frequently Asked Questions Where is the best place to keep my Chinese money plant? Put your Chinese money plant on a windowsill that receives ample but indirect bright light. Also, a Chinese money plant is sensitive to drafts and temperature fluctuations, so keep it in an environmentally stable spot in your home. Why are the leaves falling off my Chinese money plant? Don't worry if one or two older leaves drop; that's normal. If more than a couple of leaves fall off your Chinese money plant, it could be from over- or under-watering or inadequate lighting. Water only when the soil is dry. In addition, this plant may appreciate more light than it's receiving. Does a Chinese money plant need to be rotated? Yes, a Chinese money plant could benefit from being rotated weekly on a windowsill to prevent it from growing lopsided. This simple habit also promotes stronger, healthier stems as the plant adjusts to shifting light. Explore more: Garden Houseplants