Chinese Money Plant Care Guide
Your complete guide to nurturing a thriving Chinese Money Plant
Your Plant's Story
This charming Chinese Money Plant is one of the most beloved houseplants in the world - and for good reason! Each perfectly round, coin-shaped leaf sits atop delicate stems like little green pancakes or coins, earning it nicknames like "pancake plant" and "friendship plant." This beauty started as a cutting from one of our treasured mother plants, carefully propagated until it developed that signature round-leaf charm that makes everyone smile.
The Magic: These adorable plants are prolific baby-makers, naturally producing little "pups" around their base that you can share with friends and family. There's something incredibly satisfying about watching those perfect, round leaves catch and reflect light, creating gentle shadows that dance across your space throughout the day.
From Chinese mountains to your home: Your Chinese Money Plant's journey is quite remarkable! Native to the Yunnan Province in Southern China, this plant was nearly extinct in the wild until a Norwegian missionary brought some back to Scandinavia in the 1940s. From there, it spread person-to-person through plant swaps and sharing, earning its "friendship plant" nickname. It wasn't scientifically described until 1906 and didn't become widely available commercially until the 2010s!
Hand-selected for you: Every Dirt Witch Chinese Money Plant is chosen for its perfect round leaves, healthy growth, and that special, generous energy that makes them perfect for both new plant parents and experienced collectors who love to share.
Plant Overview
At a glance
Pet Safe
Non-toxic and safe for furry family members and curious little ones
Bright Indirect Light
Loves that sweet spot of gentle, filtered light that keeps leaves perfectly round
Beginner to Intermediate
Low-maintenance charmer that's surprisingly forgiving and loves to multiply
Essential Care
Light
Perfect placement: Bright, indirect light for 6+ hours daily - think of that gentle, filtered sunlight that keeps those coin-shaped leaves perfectly flat and round
Best spot: East-facing window for soft morning light, or a few feet back from south/west windows with sheer curtains
Light rotation magic: Turn your plant weekly so all sides get equal light - this prevents it from leaning toward the light source and keeps that perfect symmetrical shape
Avoid: Direct sunlight (will scorch and curl those precious round leaves) or deep shade (causes stretching and smaller, less perfectly round leaves)
Too little light signs: Leaves become smaller and less round, stems stretch toward light, plant looks leggy and sparse
Perfect light signs: Large, perfectly round coin-shaped leaves, compact growth, steady production of new leaves
Pro tip: These plants are like little solar panels - they'll literally turn their leaves to face the light source, so regular rotation keeps them looking balanced and beautiful!
Watering
Finding the rhythm: This cheerful plant likes to dry out slightly between waterings - think of it as preferring a "drink when thirsty" approach rather than constant moisture
The perfect technique: Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, usually every 1-2 weeks depending on your home's humidity and temperature
Spring/Summer: More frequent watering during the active growing season when it's producing those adorable baby plants
Fall/Winter: Less frequent watering as growth naturally slows
Signs it needs water: Top inch of soil feels dry, leaves may look slightly less perky or have a slight downward curl
Signs of overwatering: Yellow leaves, mushy stems, soil that stays soggy, that funky root rot smell
Signs of underwatering: Leaves become wrinkled or curled, dramatic drooping, dry soil pulling away from pot edges
Water quality matters: Room temperature water is best - these Chinese natives don't love cold shocks or heavily chlorinated water
Pro tip: These are surprisingly drought-tolerant once established - better to underwater slightly than overwater
Humidity
Creating the vibe: 50-75% humidity keeps these plants absolutely thriving, but they're surprisingly adaptable to normal household levels
Easy humidity boosts:
Group with other plants for a mini humidity forest
Place on a pebble tray with water (not touching the pot bottom)
Use a small humidifier nearby during dry winter months
Place in naturally humid spots like bright kitchens or bathrooms
Misting caution: Avoid misting directly on leaves - those perfect round leaves can develop water spots or fungal issues if water sits on them
Pro tip: Higher humidity encourages more baby plant production - it's like creating a nursery environment!
Temperature
Comfort zone: 65-75°F - they love consistent, moderate temperatures like most homes provide
Sweet spot: 68-72°F where they grow most actively and produce the most babies
Avoid: Temperature fluctuations, cold drafts, hot/dry air from heating vents, anything below 50°F or above 80°F
Seasonal care: These plants actually appreciate a slight winter cooling period (around 60-65°F) which can encourage spring blooming
Pro tip: Consistent temperatures lead to more consistent baby plant production - they like stability!
Soil & Feeding
Soil mix: Well-draining potting mix that retains some moisture - standard houseplant soil with added perlite works perfectly
Perfect recipe: Mix regular potting soil + perlite + a bit of peat moss for moisture retention with good drainage
Feeding schedule:
Growing season (Spring/Summer): Monthly with balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength
Dormant season (Fall/Winter): Every 2-3 months or skip entirely - they're taking a rest
Fertilizer type: Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) works great - nothing fancy needed for these simple beauties
Pro tip: Well-fed plants during growing season produce more babies - it's like giving them the energy to be generous!
Monthly Care Ritual
Every month, create a special moment with your coin-collecting friend:
Check soil moisture with the finger test - that top inch tells you everything about watering needs
Rotate your plant 1/4 turn to maintain that perfect symmetrical shape and prevent leaning
Inspect for baby plants around the base - this is the most exciting part of Chinese Money Plant parenthood!
Gently dust those round leaves with a soft cloth to keep them looking like shiny coins
Look for any damaged or yellowing leaves and gently remove them
Check if babies are ready for separation - roots poking up or babies getting crowded
Growing season bonus ritual (Spring/Summer):
Offer diluted fertilizer monthly to support baby production
Consider separating mature babies to share or expand your collection
Watch for tiny white flowers on mature plants (a special treat!)
Pro tip: Keep a "baby plant journal" to track how many offspring your plant produces - some can make dozens per year!
Propagation & Repotting Magic
When Your Plant Needs More Space
Every 2-3 years, or when your generous plant starts sending you these signals:
Roots growing out drainage holes like they're ready to explore
The plant has become crowded with babies and looks overcrowded
Water runs straight through without the soil absorbing properly
Growth has slowed despite good care and baby production has decreased
Think of repotting as giving your money tree room to really express its generous, baby-making nature!
The Magic of Making More Plants
Best method: Baby plant separation (incredibly easy and foolproof!)
There's something absolutely magical about Chinese Money Plants - they're like the ultimate plant parents, constantly producing babies to share! Here's how to work this generous magic:
Baby separation method:
Wait until babies are about 2-3 inches tall with their own root systems
Gently remove the mother plant from its pot to see the root connections
Use clean, sharp scissors to cut the connecting root between mother and baby
Each baby should have some roots attached - if not, let it grow a bit longer
Plant babies in small pots with well-draining soil
Keep lightly moist and in bright, indirect light until established
Water propagation method:
Cut babies with some roots attached and place in water
Change water every few days until roots are well-developed (2-3 weeks)
Plant in soil when roots are 1+ inches long
Pro tip from one plant-obsessed person to another: Chinese Money Plant propagation is incredibly rewarding because it's so reliable and generous! A single plant can produce dozens of babies over its lifetime. They make perfect gifts, are ideal for plant swaps, and there's something deeply satisfying about sharing these "money" plants with friends and watching them create their own little plant economies. Your plant's offspring continue spreading that generous, coin-collecting magic to new homes!
Common Visitors & How to Handle Them
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The coin-dulling tiny thieves: These microscopic troublemakers love dry conditions and can make those perfect round leaves look stippled and dull
Signs: Tiny webs between leaves, small yellow or brown spots on leaves, leaves losing their perfect shine
Treatment: Increase humidity immediately, wipe leaves gently with damp cloth, neem oil spray for persistent infestations
Prevention: Good air circulation and adequate humidity keep these away
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The white cotton invaders: These cottony clusters love to hide in the joints where those perfect stems meet the main plant
Signs: White, fluffy clusters at stem joints, leaves may yellow or drop
Treatment: Dab with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab, then follow up with neem oil spray
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The leaf-curling crowd: These tiny pests can cause those perfect round leaves to curl or become distorted
Signs: Small green or black bugs on leaves, sticky honeydew, leaves curling unnaturally
Quick fix: Gentle shower rinses them away - just be gentle with those delicate stems
Follow-up: Neem oil spray weekly until gone
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The coin-mimicking bumps: These sneaky pests can disguise themselves as small bumps on stems
Signs: Small, hard bumps on stems that don't move when touched gently
Treatment: Gently scrape off with soft brush or fingernail, alcohol treatment for stubborn ones
Pro tip: Chinese Money Plants are generally quite hardy and pest-resistant when given proper care. Most pest issues arise from stress due to overwatering or poor air circulation, so good basic care is your best prevention!
FAQ & Plant Wisdom
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Your plant is probably reaching for more light!
Insufficient light causes leaves to become smaller and less perfectly round as the plant stretches toward available light. Move to a brighter spot with indirect light and rotate regularly.
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Curling leaves usually mean either too much direct light or watering issues!
If leaves curl upward, it's often too much direct sun. If they curl downward, check your watering - could be too much or too little.
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Baby production depends on several factors!
Plants need to be mature (usually 6+ months old), have good light, proper nutrition during growing season, and adequate humidity. Be patient - some plants are just slower baby-makers than others!
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Wait until babies are 2-3 inches tall with visible roots!
You can gently brush away soil to check for roots. If babies have their own root system, they're ready for independence!
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Yes, but easily preventable!
Chinese Money Plants are notorious light-seekers. Regular rotation (weekly quarter-turns) prevents this leaning and keeps your plant symmetrical and beautiful.
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This is completely normal aging!
Older leaves naturally yellow and drop as the plant puts energy into new growth. Just remove yellowed leaves gently and enjoy the new growth appearing at the top.
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These stay relatively compact!
Mature plants typically reach 8-12 inches tall and wide, making them perfect for desks, shelves, or small spaces. The real expansion comes from all those babies!
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While they can survive in water short-term, they prefer soil!
Water propagation works great for babies, but long-term growth and health are better in well-draining soil.
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Yes, and it's actually pretty special!
Mature Chinese Money Plants occasionally produce tiny white flowers on delicate stems. This usually happens in spring and is a sign of a very happy, mature plant!
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That's totally up to your aesthetic preference!
Some people love the "mother with babies" look, while others prefer to separate them for a cleaner appearance. Both approaches are fine - it's about what makes you happy!
Still need help?
Having trouble with your Chinese Money Plant? We are here to help!
Email us at hello@dirt-witch.com with photos of any issues
Send us a DM on Instagram @dirtwitch with your questions
Remember: The Chinese Money Plant is truly one of the most rewarding houseplants you can grow. It's forgiving, generous with babies, pet-safe, and brings such joy with those perfect, round leaves. There's something deeply satisfying about caring for a plant that literally multiplies your investment and gives you endless opportunities to spread plant joy to others.
Trust your instincts, enjoy the baby-making process, and embrace the generous spirit of this remarkable little plant!
Happy Growing!