Chinese Money Plant

Water your Chinese Money Plant regularly throughout the spring, summer and fall, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. During the winter, water less. Overwatering will cause the foliage to yellow and potentially rot.

The Chinese Money Plant can thrive in bright, indirect light, but don’t place it in an area with direct sunlight, as the leaves may turn yellow. Avoid low light conditions, as the plant will become leggy. This plant loves humidity and is a great choice for the warm, humid bathroom.

This plant favors temperatures range between 60-75°F (15-24°C). In the higher range (up to the upper 80s) the plant will survive, but likely show some signs of sun stress, including brown leaf edges from the extra heat.

The Chinese Money Plant likes relatively humid environments, so keep the air moist- use a pebble tray, use a humidifier, or mist occasionally. As an estimate, the relative humidity should be somewhere above 50%.

The Chinese Money Plant will do best in a well-draining, nutrient-dense soil. Outdoor plants should be planted in a mixture of coir, peat, fish emulsion, slow release fertilizer, and other trace elements.

Fertilize your Chinese Money Plant with a balanced all purpose fertilizer every two weeks in the spring and summer and every four weeks in the fall and winter. Avoid using fertilizer during the rest period, when the leaves yellow, or when the soil is dry. Always read and follow the directions as indicated on the label.

The Chinese Money Plant is prone to spider mites and mealybugs. Regularly check the undersides of the leaves and spray with a heavy stream of water to quickly knock them off if they're spotted or spray with neem oil solution. When repotting and caring for the plant, look for signs of them in the soil and the drainage holes of the pot, as mealybugs like to hide there.

Repot your Chinese Money Plant annually or bi-annually in the early spring. Bring it to a sink or outside for a thorough watering and when the soil is damp, tap the pot on its side to release the root ball. Place the root ball on a table and check to make sure it’s not root bound. If it is, cut the roots with scissors. It's best to repot in a slightly-larger pot and use a well-draining soil.

The Chinese Money Plant does not need a lot of pruning. If it gets too leggy, prune back the stem to the desired height. The plant will then produce two or more stems from the same spot.

Mulch your Chinese Money plant with a base layer of moistened soil and a top layer of mulch such as aged compost or leaf mould. Mulch helps retain moisture reduce weeds, improve soil structure and create a microclimate- just make sure not to use too much mulch as this can cause root rot.

The Chinese Money Plant is easily propagated by division. To do this, carefully remove the rootball from the pot and cut it in half using a sharp knife. Next, repot each division into its own pot with the appropriate soil mix and place it in a warm spot with medium to bright indirect light.

Because of its thick, lush leaves, you may want to support your Chinese Money Plant with a stake if it gets too tall and begins to lean. If you want to grow the plant in a hanging basket, choose a planter with a wide opening so the leaves have enough room to spread out.

The Chinese Money Plant does not require a rest period, but it is beneficial to the plant to withhold water in the late fall to give it a “break”. During this time, focus on keeping the soil drier than normal.

Yes, the Chinese Money plant is toxic to pets and children. The foliage and stem contain calcium oxalates which cause painful sensations, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and excessive salivation.