Pilea Peperomiodes
There’s nothing better than having luck on your side. And no other plant embodies luck like pilea peperomioides, or the Chinese Money Plant. Native to the temperate forests of the Yunnan province in China, the money plant’s round, glossy and leathery leaves resemble coins and therefore are said to bestow luck and prosperity upon those who care for them. In China they are sometimes referred to as “mirror grass” because of their likeness to the mirrors used by ancient immortals.
While money plants are a staple in homes and plant shops today, they were virtually unknown to North America until the 80’s. In 1944 a Norwegian missionary staying in China purchased a money plant at a market and took it back home with him, sharing the cuttings with friends and family, spreading it through Norway and eventually across the Western world. That’s why this charming specimen has also been dubbed the “missionary plant”
Now, we understand the challenges of keeping a houseplant happy in the high desert. But that’s where the undemanding demeanor of the money plant really has your back. This sun-seeker enjoys our ample light pouring in through east and west windows in the summer and southern windows in the winter. Give it a quarter turn every now and then to ensure all sides of the pilea receive sunlight. With regular watering and a well-draining soil mixture, it should thrive with ease, even with our low humidity. And if you’re feeling extra lucky, feed it monthly with our liquid houseplant food and see if you can persuade it to bloom! Its easiest to coax out the rosy sprays of flowers after they’ve experienced a period of dormancy. You can achieve this by placing the plant in a colder room (around 50° F) with bright light for the winter months. Then bring it back into a warmer room in the spring. This process will mimic the pilea’s natural life cycle in the wild, telling it to reproduce and flower!
As you update your houseplant collection this year or find yourself looking for a gift for someone special, do not overlook the Chinese Money Plant. It’s safe for pets, easy to propagate and exudes positivity. Consider continuing the historic tradition of sharing cuttings and offsets with friends and family. After all, it’s not a bad goal to spread a little wealth!
