Our son gave us a Chinese Money Plant for Christmas. We did our research to learn that the Pilea peperomioides plant is originally from the Yunnan province of China.  The Norwegian missionary, Agnar Espergren,  took cuttings home with him and shared the plants, which started friends sharing the plants, and passing them through through Scandinavia, and eventually the rest of the world.We had never heard of such a plant but we were fascinated by the foliage. You can see that the stem makes its attachment inside the leaf, so unlike the flower and stem arrangements that are familiar to us. I have been told that they grow very  slowly which is why you will be lucky to find then  for sale in a nursery – although it will happen. Apparently many people get their Chinese money plant from a friend. It’s easy to believe that because the plant given to us had several little baby plants inside its little pot.  I think you can see those baby leaves beneath the larger leaves – and this is still a young plant.

The plant popped right  out of its small pot and I have to say  the roots of the mama plant and the babies made a very tough, rooty  bed. I just took a deep breath and tried to pull the babies away from the mama plant. I managed to do that but it was not a gentle operation. The babies were well attached to mama’s roots.

There is not a lot of root in these new pots with new plants. I gave them a soaking and made sure they were well arranged in their potting soil. They need to dry out slightly before it is time to  water them again, and they should  have pots with drainage holes. They need bright light, but not direct sun.  They can tolerate cold weather and I was told the cold weather may encourage arrival of tiny white flowers. I have hopes.

I have set the plants in our dining room for  the moment, and for the photo, but I am going to have to make an arrangement in the single upstairs room that provides bright sunlight – but not direct sun.

I haven’t had my mama Money Plant very long and I haven’t noticed the dust that was promised. It is suggested to  give them a little shower from time to time. They will also need a little fertilizer in the spring and fall.

I will let you know how things work out. Wish me luck.