- Your plant is flourishing. Because most succulents, like your money plant, grow slowly and have a small root system, they don’t need to be repotted very often. It may not be time to pot up your Pilea if it is healthy and growing well while retaining a regular form.
- There’s still plenty of room for your plant. Your Pilea and the pot’s edges are still separated by a good amount of space.
- Your water is draining at a consistent rate. Your Pilea should be alright for a while if there are no changes in its water requirements or if the water drains through the pot at a regular rate. When water runs quickly through your container, it means your Pilea is potbound and unable to absorb enough moisture.
- It’s only been about 18 months since you last repotted it. In most cases, your Pileas will only require repotting every two years.
- Winter has arrived. Repotting your money plant is best done in the spring or early summer. Wait until spring to repot your Pilea unless it is absolutely necessary, such as in the case of a severely pot bound plant.
What soil does a Chinese money plant need?
Chinese money plants prefer potting soil that drains properly. Do not put this houseplant in garden soil, and do not use the cheapest potting soil you can find. Use a high-quality organic potting soil instead. It’s preferable if it’s made of peat moss, coir fiber, and perlite. If you want to produce your own potting soil for a Pilea peperomioides, here’s a nice page with 6 DIY potting soil recipes, including one that’s suitable for the job because it’s well draining.
If you bought your Chinese money plant from a greenhouse or nursery, it’s likely already potted in excellent potting soil, so you won’t need to repot it until it outgrows the container (more on how to do this later).
Do Chinese money plants like to be root bound?
Some houseplants, we’ve all heard, prefer to be root bound. Is Pilea Peperomioides, widely known as the Chinese Money Plant, one of them? If not, when should we start replanting them in larger containers?
Pilea Peperomioides dislikes being root bound. Pileas should be repotted every two years to a container that is one to three inches wider in diameter than the pot they were previously living in to avoid becoming that way.
If your Pilea is displaying little to no development and you discover it is root bound after further research, you should act quickly and relocate it to a different container. Continue reading if you’re unsure how to tell if your Pilea is root bound or have questions about how to repot your Pilea.
How do you repot a baby Chinese Money Plant?
The plant develops rapidly and then produces kids, allowing you to share it with others! I can’t help but smile every time I see mine. Their peculiar shape sets them apart from other plants.
People gradually spread the plant by distributing it “pups,” and it’s only been a few years since it arrived in the United States. I enjoy studying about and reading about the history of this plant. You can trace it all the way back to the person who brought it and shared it with you.
Knowing the plant’s history and journey to being one of the most popular houseplants makes it all the more special.
It’s not only a beautiful plant, but it’s also quite easy to care for and quite resilient! Here are some pointers on how to look after your Pilea:
These drill bits are perfect for drilling a hole in the bottom of an earthenware pot if you have a favorite pot that doesn’t have one.
Because they are utilitarian and straightforward, I appreciate the reliable terra cotta pot (they are very cute). The terra cotta is ideal since it is made of natural clay and, unlike a synthetic pot, allows the soil to breathe.
Don’t get me wrong, you can use a plastic pot or a thickly glazed pot (with a drainage hole), but terra cotta is more forgiving and dries out faster if you unintentionally overwater your Pilea.
If you have a decorative pot that you like (I have a couple in the photos), simply place your terra cotta pot inside it.
For watering, I’ll remove the terra cotta pot from the decorative pot, drain it fully, and then replace it in the decorative pot.
This should be available in your local greenhouse, or you can buy some up at your local hardware shop. My mixture contains a small amount of fine sand.
Because we have some very humid months where I live (in southern Missouri), the sand aids in the drying of the plant.
The Pilea prefers to dry out between waterings and dislikes being wet. I dig my finger into the soil and raise the pot to see if it’s still heavy from the last watering.
I water it again if it feels dry to the touch. Allow it to dry out between waterings, but not to the point of being bone dry (although it is quite hardy and can handle it). I water my plants once a week.
If the plant still feels moist after a few of days, I’ll wait a few more days and check again. A friend texted me a picture of her Pilea the other day, which was drooping quite a bit. It was determined that it needed to be watered. It had gotten a little too dry!
Just keep an eye on the plant to see what it need and when it requires it. When I inquired about the Pilea and watering, I was told that overwatering is one of the only ways to destroy it.
Never let your Pilea sit in water when watering it. Make sure you dump the extra water that collects in your bottom dish after you’ve irrigated it.
If the soil remains wet/soggy for an extended period of time, the roots rot, resulting in the plant’s demise. I’m prone to overwatering, and it’s taken me a long time to learn to control it “The plant will be “nurtured” (i.e., overwatered).
The Pilea is a light-loving creature! It requires bright, indirect sunshine. What exactly does that imply? If you place your Pilea on your front porch with the sun shining down on it, it will burn due to direct light.
My mother had a Pilea on her dining room table that had grown big and lanky because to the limited light (a very long middle stem with just a few branches).
It was attempting to reach the light, but it didn’t appear to have much time. She moved it outside to her covered porch, where it receives plenty of indirect light, and it is now flourishing once more. It isn’t as long and leggy as it once was! It’s incredible how quickly they adjust once you figure out what they require.
I’ve moved several of my Pileas outside under a covered porch because I’ve ran out of window space in the house. They appear to enjoy the warm weather and are flourishing! I’ll bring them back in as soon as the temperature begins to decrease.
Another lighting suggestion is that the Pilea will follow the light and begin to lean in its direction. It’s amusing to see them groping towards the window as though they’re attempting to escape!
Every time I water them, I rotate them to maintain them straight and balanced. Keeping the leaves brushed also allows them to get more light. To keep the leaves healthy and lustrous, lightly rub off any dust with a moist cloth.
When the pups begin to grow, you may either cut them off from the mother plant or leave them to develop on their own. Allowing them to mature results in a full mother plant (which is stunning)!
I have a larger Pilea that I’m attempting to let grow as much as possible without cutting any babies off.
With a single stem and shoots/branches sprouting out, it’s more of a typical Pilea look.
Before I cut the puppy, I like to wait until it is at least 3 inches tall. An X-Acto knife is my favorite tool to use (any sharp utensil should work though).
Before cutting into your Pilea, give your cutting utensil a good rinse. I once read that pruning or propagating your plant should be treated as actual surgery, and that you should always wash your instruments before doing so. When you’re preparing to cut off a pup’s head, keep in mind that the root system is extremely fragile.
It’s not necessary to pull or tug on the puppy. Cut the pup gently where it meets the earth, and it should come up easily. After you’ve cut it off, you can either immerse the puppy in water or place it in a pot of earth.
Because I enjoy seeing the roots grow through the glass, I prefer the water approach. Place your little glass or vase in indirect yet bright sunlight for optimal effects. You can pot it after you see some roots sprouting.
Fertilizing: Fertilize your plant throughout the spring and summer months if you want to give it a boost in growth. Fertilizer is a contentious topic, but I prefer to employ a straightforward 10-10-10 formula.
This fertilizer is one of my favorites. I put a little liquid fertilizer in the watering can when I water. Check the back of your fertilizer and follow the directions on the label.
If you live in Springfield, Missouri, Schaffitzel’s Flowers has the largest selection of Pilea plants.
If you like podcasts, this one called Bloom and Grow Radio is both useful and entertaining! It’s fun to pick out special planters for your new babies (these terrazo and speckled ones are my favorites), and this hoodie will let the world know you’re a plant lady.
If you have any favorite ideas or suggestions for caring for your Pilea, please leave a comment, and you can read more of our plant and garden advice here! Janae.
How do you make a Chinese Money Plant bushy?
Pruning Makes Your Money Plant Look Bushier: Pruning will make your Money Plant look bushier. If you don’t, the stems will continue to trail and appear thinner. Money plants can grow in low-light environments, resulting in sparse leaves and a non-sculpted appearance. Pruning shears are needed to prune the Money Plant’s leaves and stems.
– If you desire a fuller Money Plant from the top, prune the outward-growing leaves and stems.
Should I take the twist tie off my money tree?
Wire is used to direct and shape bonsai plant development. Money tree plants are frequently cultivated as bonsai. The trunks of many trees are interwoven together. Growers wrap wire around branches to direct their growth in a specific direction, usually to extend the tree’s or plant’s highest branches. Leave the wire in place if you want to retain the shape of your plant. Remove the wire, being careful not to damage the wood, if you don’t mind the branches drooping or simply want the plant to develop in its natural form.
How do I know when to repot my money tree?
Money trees need to be repotted every three years on average. Choose containers with good drainage holes and line the bottom with rocks or gravel when repotting. While some root development can be pulled back, make sure not to cut off more than 25% of the roots. Early spring is the greatest time to repot your plants.
Does money tree like to be root bound?
In the realm of houseplants, there is a lot of debate about which plants are best “It’s “like” to be tethered to the ground. It’s no surprise that, with the growing popularity of the Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica), individuals are reconsidering their own tastes. Is it true that the stress of being rootbound forces other plants into unusual situations, such as blooming, is the same true for the Money Tree?
No plant, in my experience, actually “Rootbound is something he “likes.” Money Tree houseplants, on the other hand, have smaller root systems than other plants of similar size. While you should choose a pot that will allow your Money Tree to grow freely, it will not require as large a container as other indoor trees.
Plants that are rootbound are rarely at their healthiest. Many houseplants will survive under these conditions, but the majority will not grow. If you want your Money Tree to be the healthy, consider recreating conditions that are more similar to what it would encounter in the wild by allowing it to extend and flourish.
How do I keep my money plant healthy?
Money plants are low-maintenance, despite the numerous advantages they bring. Even with minimal care, they can reach heights of up to 7 feet. They can reach a height of 12 feet with proper care, adequate light, and frequent watering. Money plant vastu advises that regular upkeep is essential to keep the good fortune flowing. Here are some helpful hints:
- If the plant is kept in soil, don’t overwater it because it will stunt its growth.
- Dry conditions tend to stifle its growth, therefore misting the leaves would be useful.
Do Pileas like small pots?
What kind of pot is best for a Pilea baby? Choose a small, shallow pot to start with when planting rooted Pilea baby cuttings. If you plant Pilea pups in a huge pot that holds too much moisture, they won’t gain a head start. For little cuttings, you might find that small pots work best.