How to Propagate Chinese Money Plant Babies (Pilea Peperomioides)

The Pilea Peperomioides, also known as the Chinese Money Plant, is a popular houseplant known for its round, coin-like leaves and ability to produce many baby pups. 

Chinese money plant propagation is a simple process where you create new plants from the offsets or baby pups growing around the base of the mother plant.

The most common method is by separating these baby plants from the parent and rooting them in water or soil. Ensure they receive bright, indirect light for successful propagation.

Read More: Chinese money plant Care Guide – Common Chinese Money plant Problems – Chinese money plant meaning + symbolism.

Scientific name: Pilea peperomioides Common names: Chinese money plant, UFO plant, Pancake plant, Friendship plant, Pass-it-on plant, Missionary plant.

Looking to buy a Pilea peperomioides plant? Find it for sale on Amazon!

How to Propagate Chinese Money Plant

Mature, healthy Chinese money plants will grow babies around their base. These can grow from the bottom of the main stem or pop up randomly from underneath the soil. These baby plants are referred to as pups, offsets, offshoots, or plantlets.

The money plant babies can be removed with roots already attached, ready to be potted up, and grow into full new plants.  

When to Remove Pilea Babies

When the babies are about a third of the size of the mother plant, or have at least 2-3 leaves of their own, they are typically strong enough to survive on their own. The longer you leave the baby attached to the main plant to grow, the better chance it will survive and grow into a new thriving plant.

You can let several pilea babies grow around the mother plant without causing too much strain. However, it’s important to monitor the mother plant’s health. If you notice any signs of stress, it might be time to remove and repot some of the pups. You want to allow the babies to grow, but not at the expense of the parent plant’s health. 

You can take baby cuttings of your Chinese money plant any time of year, but the best period is spring when the plant is actively growing and has the most energy.

Separate the Babies

When you are ready to remove the babies from the parent plant, try to remove them with their roots attached. Don’t just tug or pull the little plants out.

• Gently dig your fingers in the soil around the baby pilea. Feel where the root goes. Follow it about 1″ down under the soil.
• Carefully remove a bit of soil around it to expose the root connection.
• Use a clean, sharp knife and cut the baby plant away from the mother plant.

Ways to Propagate Pilea Babies

When the Pilea baby is separated from the parent plant, it is basically a new mini plant ready to grow on its own.

If the baby is removed with plenty of roots still attached, it will be ready to be planted in soil in its own little pot. If the cutting doesn’t have a lot of roots, you can place it in water first to let more roots grow.

Related reading: 6 different ways to propagate your plants. 

Propagate in Soil

The simplest way to propagate the pups is to plant them in soil.

• Separate and remove the pilea baby from the mother plant.
• Dip the stem in rooting hormone. This powder helps the roots grow faster and stronger and prevents fungus growth. If you don’t have any, you can skip it. The process just might take a little longer. 
• Plant the baby plant in a small pot
• Place in indirect light and water sparingly until you see new growth. At that time, continue regular care. 

Water Propagation

Another way to propagate your pilea is by rooting them in water first.

• Remove the pilea baby as described above.
• Place the cutting in a container with just enough water to cover the bottom part.   
• Keep it in bright, indirect light.  
• Change the water regularly  
• Wait for roots to appear. Pot them up when the roots are at least an inch long.
• Keep the soil slightly moist, not wet, until there is new growth. Resume regular care. 

Water propagation is an easy way to create more plants from the ones you already have! For more information, read my post with all my water propagation tips.

Can you Propagate Chinese Money Plants from a Single Leaf?

One last thing. The question that comes up a lot regarding Pilea propagation is if you can grow a new plant from a single Pilea leaf.

I have heard stories of people who said they had success with it. But my preference is to propagate pilea pups since it is so simple and the overall success rate is generally higher.

Related reading: More stunning round-leaf plants!