Chinese money plant care guide

How to care for for a Chinese money plant

Native to China, this plant was brought over to the UK in 1906 where it quickly became a popular indoor houseplant (and still is to this day). That’s because it’s so forgiving. You don’t have to worry if you forget to water it - this little plant will bounce right back. Because of its unique shape, it’s earned itself many nicknames over the years, from the pancake plant to the UFO plant.

Here are some of our top tips on how to take care of your Chinese money plant:

Water yours weekly

Your Chinese money plant enjoys a weekly watering - especially during the summer months. But, as they’re part of the succulent family (and hold onto water in their leaves), it’s best to leave the soil to nearly dry out before watering it again. Ideally, the top two or so inches of soil should be dry before giving it another drink. In the winter months, you can get away with watering it every two weeks.

Pop it in a sunny spot

Bright sunny days are the Chinese money plant’s favourite kind. They love nothing more than basking in the sun all day. While indirect light is best, they can also sit out in direct sunlight for a little while too. But not for too long or they might burn. Placing them on a windowsill, under a skylight or a slightly shaded spot outside with dappled light is ideal for these sun-seekers.

Keep it warm

With how much they love the sun, it shouldn’t be a surprise that they prefer warmer temperatures too. Ideally, they should be put somewhere that’s always at least 13 degrees. But for them to thrive and grow much bigger, it’ll need to be warmer than that. Just try to avoid any cold spots and make sure there’s no risk of it frosting during the winter.

Regular misting will make it happy

Chinese money plants aren’t too fussy about humidity - any room will do. But they don’t like environments that are too dry. So give yours a light misting every now and then. If you have other plants that like humidity, try keeping them all close together. As plants lose water from their leaves, the area around them becomes more humid. This means you won’t need to mist them all separately!

Give it a feed every now and then

Chinese money plants don’t actually need to be fed. They can survive perfectly fine without. But if you want yours to grow as much as possible, give it some diluted liquid fertiliser once a month during spring and summer. You’ll be rewarded with amazing growth and a beautiful, healthy-looking plant.

How to tell if your Chinese money plant is unhappy

When your Chinese money plant isn’t feeling its best, there are some pretty obvious signs. These will help you know exactly what to do to perk it up again. Here are some of the most common problems you’ll see with this plant:

White spots on leaves

While Chinese money plants are mostly unfussy, there is one thing they can be particular about - the type of water you give them. If you notice any little white spots on their leaves, this is likely a result of salts and chemicals that are found in tap water. Use filtered water over the next few weeks instead and they’ll be much happier. Or if you don’t have any, leave a jug of water uncovered overnight. This’ll help any harsh chemicals evaporate. These white spots can also be removed with a damp cloth very easily which won’t affect the plant too much.

Crispy leaves

If your plant’s leaves are looking crispy this is a sign that the air around them is too dry. So, you’ll need to up the humidity by either misting it more often or placing it on a pebble tray.

Drooping leaves

IDropping leaves are usually a sign that your plant has been underwatered. Give it a good long drink and should perk up again in no time!.

Scorched leaves

If the leaves on your plant are looking burned then probably it’s been in the sun for too long and will need some time to recover. Just like us, plants can get sunburnt. Try moving it to a shadier spot so it can cool down and revive itself.

Do I need to repot my Chinese money plant?

Chinese money plants like a lot of legroom so they will need to be repotted every year. But if it’s a fast grower, it may need to be repotted more often than that. When it’s just a baby plant you might find it needs repotting twice a year until the growth slows.

It’s best to repot them in the summer as this is their prime growing season. Choose a pot that’s one or two sizes bigger than the current one and fill it with fresh soil suitable for houseplants. Then, create a little well in the middle where you want the plant to go. Lift the plant out of its original pot, being careful to not damage the roots and pop it in the well. Cover it with a bit more soil until you can’t see the roots and pat it firmly so it stays in place. Give it a big drink and place it in a bright sunny spot and you’ll be good to go.

How to propagate a Chinese money plant

If you take good care of your Chinese money plant you’ll be rewarded with lots of little baby plants which can be cut from the roots. Then, you’ll have lots of little Chinese money plants around your home, or can give them away to friends and family!

All you need to do is remove the baby plants from the mother plant’s stem using a clean, sharp knife. Then, place them in a small vase filled with water and leave them there until you start to see some root growth. When the roots are about an inch or two long, you can then move them into their own pot filled with fresh soil. And then you’re done! It’s really that easy. The only thing to remember is that this process can take time so be patient.

New to plant care and need more advice? Our plant expert is here to help. Learn all you’ll need to know in our indoor plant care guide.

If you just can’t get enough of air-purifying plants, browse our amazing range of indoor house plants. Not only will they look great in your home but they make the perfect gift too.