Plants have slowly become a staple in modern interiors in the 21st century. With so many varieties of sizes, shapes, and color it can feel overwhelming to choose your newest plant baby. Make the choice easy with the official 2020 Plant of the Year, the Pilea Peperomioides plant! This plant is a mouthful to pronounce so it's no surprise that it has attracted a number of nicknames like “The Chinese Money Plant”, “The UFO Plant” and “The Pancake Plant”. This plant has become a staple in plant parent’s #shelfie on Instagram for its distinct and attractive shape. Originally grown in Yunnan Province in Southwest China, the Pilea’s rounded leaves is an attention magnet in any home or apartment.
Pilea Peperomioides Plant Care Tips
The Chinese Money plant is relatively easy to care for since it is derived from the succulent family. Here are some tips to get you started on the right path with your Pilea:
Light: Bright, Indirect
Avoid placing your Pilea in an area that is too shady or in direct sunlight. This will cause the leaves to either be scorched or wilted.
Soil: Drier
Pilea’s soil should be allowed to dry out before being watered again. Adjust watering schedules to different seasons and climates - when the leaves begin to droop, it’s time to water! Try a soil that allows for drainage.
Humidity: Dry
No extra humidity is needed, it actually prefers a drier climate! Keep from areas like bathrooms or kitchens.
Toxicity: Low
The Pilea is safe for humans and plants, but if a large quantity of the plant is consumed it can lead to indigestion.
Pileas are generally easy to care for, needing to rotate or wipe down only once a week. We recommend placing Pileas in office spaces, bedrooms, and anywhere that needs a little green spruce up. Unfortunately, this plant often seems to be sold out at local plant nurseries. Luckily the UFO plant can be purchased online and sent right to your door with no hassle! You can purchase your table-sized Pilea Peperomioides Plant online at 1800Flowers.com.
AUTHOR
Fiona is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, where she studied marketing and art history, and a former 1-800-Flowers.com intern. She enjoys Irish dancing, volunteering at coffee houses, and going to museums. Her favorite flowers are peonies.