Garden Care Guide

Chinese Money Plant Care

Pilea peperomioides

A popular and minimalist houseplant known especially as the 'Chinese Money Plant' (Pilea peperomioides) for its round, coin-like leaves. It likes spots with bright but indirect light and a very well-drained potting soil. It multiplies easily by producing offsets from its roots and stem; it is very sensitive to overwatering.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 8 °C / 46 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Cut back greatly; water when the potting soil has dried out completely (about 0.3 L every 3-4 weeks), using water that has been left to stand.
  • Pruning: Cut only yellowing or drying leaves.
  • General care: Dormancy period. Rotate the pot regularly to prevent it from leaning toward the light. Keep away from radiators and cold drafts.
  • Pests & diseases: Leaf drop and stem rot are signs of overwatering. Root rot is the biggest risk.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 8 °C.
February
  • Watering: Continue watering when the potting soil has dried out completely (about 0.3 L every 2-3 weeks).
  • General care: Keep turning the pot. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves and the stem junctions for mealybugs (Pseudococcidae).
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 8 °C.
March
  • Watering: Increase watering as growth begins. When the top half of the soil dries out, water (approximately 0.4 L every 2 weeks).
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: For a bushier look, the top of the main stem can be cut (optional).
  • General care: This is the best time for repotting (if the roots have filled the pot) and for propagation by separating pups growing from the roots.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 8 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, at half the label dose.
  • General care: Growth accelerates. Protect from direct sunlight.
  • Pests & diseases: White spots on the leaves can come from the lime in the water; use water that has been left to stand.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, half the label rate.
  • Pruning: For aesthetic purposes only.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, half the label rate.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for spider mites (Tetranychidae).
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, half the label rate.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, at half the label dose.
  • General care: Growth slows.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, with one of the final feedings using a very diluted (quarter-dose) fertilizer.
  • General care: Growth slows. This is a good time to separate the new offsets (pups) emerging from the base of the plant.
  • Pests & diseases: Curling or yellowing of the leaves is usually caused by watering problems (too little or too much).
  • Frost risk: Keep the plant away from open windows and doors that may get cold at night.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: From the end of the month, stop feeding.
  • General care: Preparing for dormancy. Move it away from windows where it may get cold at night.
  • Frost risk: Watch for cold drafts.
November
  • Watering: Cut back greatly; water when the potting soil has dried out completely (about 0.2 L every 3-4 weeks).
  • General care: Since the radiators are running, balancing the humidity of the room is beneficial.
  • Pests & diseases: Against the risk of root rot, make sure the soil has dried out completely before watering.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 8 °C.
December
  • Watering: Cut back greatly; water when the potting soil has dried out completely (about 0.2 L every 3-4 weeks).
  • Pruning: Remove only dry leaves.
  • General care: Full dormancy period. Keep rotating the pot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 8 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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