Penny

Chinese Money Plant

Pilea; Pancake plant

• 
  Most light conditions
• 
  Easy care

• Penny likes...
  • 
    Light watering

    She’s easygoing when it comes to water. She’ll only need a drink when you can feel her soil is dry to the touch.

  • 
    Medium light

    She loves a spot with lots of light. She’s not keen on harsh direct sunlight so place her slightly away from windows.

  • 
    Feeding

    She’ll be over the moon if you feed her once per month in spring and summer. No need in winter.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Pilea peperomioides

  Nickname

  Pilea peperomioides; Pancake plant; UFO plant; Pass it on plant

  Plant type

  Indoor

  Air purifying

  Yes

  Plant height (including pot)

  10-20cm; 25-35cm

  Pet/baby safe

  Yes

  Nursery pot size

  12cm; 15cm

• About Chinese money plants

  For more care advice about Penny, check out ourcomplete guide to Chinese money plant care.

  Native to the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of southern China, the Chinese money plant was first brought to the UK in 1906 by Scottish botanist George Forrest (yes, we know the exact man who found it). It became a popular houseplant later in the 20th century because it is simple to grow and really easy to propagate, meaning friends could pass cuttings around amongst themselves. That earned it the nickname ‘pass it on plant’.

  Those round, flat leaves, which can grow as big as 15cm across, have earned it other nicknames, from UFO plant to pancake plant. Whatever you choose to call it, it’s an excellent house guest. A bright place to live and water when it’s dry are all it asks (by the way, don't worry when it loses its lower leaves as it grows - it's totally normal). It will also thank you for a monthly feed with liquid fertiliser in spring and summer (dilute the feed to half strength as it doesn't like its drinks strong).

  This one’s a winner. Pass it on.

  Your plant will arrive in a brown nursery pot, which has holes for drainage. Decorative pots are sold separately. There's no need to remove the plant from the nursery pot. Just pop the whole thing in a decorative pot.

  Did you know?

  Although it’s now very common as a houseplant, Chinese money plants have almost completely disappeared from their natural habitat.