The Money Plant

The Money Plant, officially named Pilea peperomiodes, is a perfect indoor foliage plant to give your home a tropical feel. Native from Mexico to northern South America, the Money Tree is also very popular in Taiwan and other East Asian countries.

Pilea peperomioides is an Asiatic perennial herb that is native to Yunnan Province in Southern China at the foot of the Himalayas. Pileas are a part of the stinging-nettle family, Urticaceae.

According to Feng Shui enthusiasts, the Chinese Money plant brings good luck, money and prosperity to its owner. Legend says that if you place a coin in its soil, you will become rich!

Key Benefits — Purifying and easy to propagate 

Mature Pilea peperomioides produce baby plants that grow from their roots. Leave the mini-plants in the same pot as their parents for a while. Once they reach 5 to 10 centimeters you can plant them in their own pots, preferably in the Spring.

This plant is one of the plants' shops in Calgary that NASA recommended to remove impurities from the air. Great for offices and apartments in sky-high buildings.

There are many other benefits to having a Money Plant in your home, including:

● Reduces Stress & Anxiety

● Acts as an Anti-radiator

● Offers Health Benefits

● Keeps Marital Problems Away

● Brings Prosperity & Good Luck

● Mends Broken Relationships

● Spreads Positivity

● Helps Clean Aquarium Water

● Neutralizes Sick Building Syndrome

General Care of a Money Plant

Sunlight

Thrives in medium-bright indirect light. Can tolerate a few hours of bright direct light.

Water

Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. 

Humidity

Normal room humidity is fine.

Temperature

55°F-85°F (13°C-30°C). It’s best not to let it go below 50°F (10°C).

Common Problems

It is generally a very easy-going plant. May get spider mites and mealybugs. Treat spider mites and mealybugs as soon as they appear with weekly sprays of horticultural (Neem) oil and regular wipe-downs of the plan

SYMPTOM: Wilting plant or curling leaves, dry potting mix

CAUSE: Underwatered

SYMPTOM: Yellowing leaves, black stems

CAUSE: Overwatered

Precautions

This plant is pet-friendly! Best practice is always to keep houseplants out of reach of small children and pets though.

Why are Money Plants lucky?

There are a few origin stories that explain why Money Plants and Trees are lucky. For the Crassula ovata (also called Jade Plant) and the Chinese Money Plant, it’s all to do with the round shape of the leaves. Humans are hardwired to find circular shapes calming, so there’s some scientific basis for the link. Our suspicion is that it’s actually a bit simpler, and circular shapes = coins = prosperity!

Pachira aquatica comes with its own mythology. The story goes that a poor man prayed for wealth and instead found this strange little tree with braided roots. This tree quickly sprouted many others and the poor man became wealthy from the profits. Most Money Trees have stems with five leaves, but if you have one with seven leaves, make sure you take good care, as these are especially lucky!