Chinese money plant (pancake plant) Pilea peperomioides
Chinese money plant (pancake plant) (Pilea peperomioides) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Urticaceae family, native to Rocky, shaded slopes of Yunnan and Sichuan, south-west China. It grows 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
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Chinese money plant (pancake plant) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Urticaceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Rocky, shaded slopes of Yunnan and Sichuan, south-west China |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Chinese money plant (pancake plant) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chinese money plant (pancake plant)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Chinese money plant (pancake plant)
- How far apart should I plant Chinese money plant (pancake plant)?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Chinese money plant (pancake plant) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chinese money plant (pancake plant) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Chinese money plant (pancake plant)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- Is Chinese money plant (pancake plant) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs.
- What grows well with Chinese money plant (pancake plant)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chinese money plant (pancake plant). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- Kew Gardens: Palm House, Temperate House, Rock Garden and Mediterranean Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Round, flat, coin-like leaves held on long stalks attached to the centre of the leaf, like little umbrellas. A Norwegian missionary brought it home from China in 1946 and it spread through Scandinavia as cuttings and pups passed between friends, decades before Kew identified it in the 1980s.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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