META-INFORMATIONS

• Scientific name
• :
• Pilea peperomioides
• Diels, 1912
• Common name
• : Chinese Money Plant, Pizza Plant, Pancake Money Plant, Chinese Money Plant
• Family
• : Urticaceae (Urticaceae)
• Genus
• :
• Pilea
• Lindl., 1821
• Subspecies/Commercial varieties
• :
• 'Minima' (dwarf variety)
• 'Green Harmony' (variegated foliage)
• 'Silver Sparkle' (silvery leaves)
• Type
• : Perennial plant
• cultivated as an annual in temperate climates
• (generally indoors)
• USDA Hardiness Zone
• : 10-11 (not frost tolerant, cultivate indoors in zones 9 and below)
• Adult size
• : 20–40 cm high × 30–50 cm spread (indoors)
• Exposure
• :
• Bright indirect light
• (avoid scorching direct sun). Tolerates moderate light (1 000–2 000 lux).
• Soil
• :
• Type
• : Light, airy, well-draining mix (universal potting soil + perlite/vermiculite/pozzolana at 30%).
• pH
• : 6,0–7,0 (neutral to slightly acidic).
• Drainage
• :
• Essential
• (risk of root rot in case of excess water).
• Water needs
• :
• Moderate
• (let the top 2–3 cm of substrate dry between waterings). Reduce in winter.
• Flowering
• :
• Period
• : Spring to summer (rare in indoor culture).
• Colour
• : Small greenish-white flowers, grouped in discreet inflorescences (cyme).
• Duration
• : 2–4 weeks.
• Particularity
• : Flowering weakens the plant (energy diverted to reproduction).
• Fruiting
• : Achenes (dry indehiscent fruits) containing tiny seeds.
• Particularities
• :
• Non-toxic
• for humans and animals (ASPCA list).
• Air purifying
• (removes formaldehyde and benzene according to NASA Clean Air Study).
• Fast growth
• in optimal conditions (can double in size in 6 months).
• Edible foliage
• (slightly peppery taste, used in Asian cuisine).

  BIOLOGY & CLASSIFICATION

1. Taxonomic Classification

2. Characteristics of the Genus Pilea***

• Origin

• : Mountainous regions of

• South-West China

• (Yunnan, Sichuan) and

• North Vietnam

• (humid forests at 1 000–2 500 m altitude).

• Number of species

• : ~600 species (including

• Pilea glauca

• ,

• Pilea involucrata

• ,

• Pilea depressa

• ).

• Morphological characteristics

• :

• Leaves

• :

• Shape

• : Rounded to reniform (kidney-shaped),

• discoid

• (resembling coins).

• Size

• : 5–12 cm in diameter.

• Colour

• : Shiny green to dark green (some variegated varieties).

• Texture

• : Smooth, slightly fleshy, with visible

• palmate veins

• .

• Petiole

• : 5–15 cm long, reddish in young shoots.

• Flowers

• :

• Type

• : Axillary cyme inflorescences (groups of small flowers).

• Colour

• : Greenish-white, barely visible.

• Roots

• : Fibrous, shallow (compact root system).

• Stem

• : Herbaceous,

• succulent

• (water storage), reddish at maturity.

• Physiological particularities

• :

• Photosynthesis

• : Type

• C3

• (classic metabolism of temperate plants).

• Reproduction

• :

• Sexual

• : Seeds (difficult to obtain in indoor culture).

• Vegetative

• :

• Very easy cutting

• (stems or leaves).

• Symbioses

• :

• Mycorrhizae

• : Present (helps nutrient absorption).

• Nitrogen fixation

• : None (unlike Fabaceae).

  3. Characteristics of the Family Urticaceae

• General description

• :

• Cosmopolitan family of

• 70 genera and 2 600 species

• , including herbaceous plants, shrubs, and some trees.

• Key characteristic

• : Presence of

• stinging hairs

• in some species (e.g., nettle), absent in

• Pilea peperomioides

• .

• Sap

• : Often rich in mucilage (viscous texture).

• Subfamilies

• :

• Urticoideae (e.g., nettles)

• Pileaideae (e.g.,

• Pilea

• )

• Related genera

• :

• Urtica

• (nettles)

• Boehmeria

• (ramie)

• Elatostema

• (similar Asian plants)

• Common uses

• :

• Ornamental

• :

• Pilea peperomioides

• ,

• Pilea glauca

• .

• Textiles

• :

• Boehmeria nivea

• (ramie).

• Edible

• :

• Pilea microphylla

• (consumed in South-East Asia).

• Particularities

• :

• Reproductive system

• : Unisexual or bisexual flowers, often grouped in discreet inflorescences.

• Chemical compounds

• :

• Flavonoids

• (antioxidants).

• Alkaloids

• (present in some species, but absent in

• P. peperomioides

• ).

  HISTORY & DISCOVERY

1. Geographical Origins

• Place of origin

• :

• Humid forests of Yunnan (China)

• and

• North Vietnam

• , at altitudes of 1 000–2 500 m.

• Historical dissemination

• :

• Botanical discovery

• : First described in

• 1912

• by German botanist

• Friedrich Ludwig Emil Diels

• (expedition to China).

• Modern rediscovery

• : Forgotten in the West until the

• 1980s

• , when it reappeared as an indoor plant in

• Norway

• (imported by missionaries or collectors).

• Popularisation

• : Became a

• viral phenomenon

• on social media (Instagram, TikTok) around

• 2017–2019

• , nicknamed "pizza plant" for its round leaves.

  2. History of Domestication

• Period

• :

• Traditional culture

• : Cultivated for centuries by the

• Yi and Hani peoples

• of Yunnan for its

• medicinal properties

• (leaves used in infusion against inflammation).

• Modern domestication

• : Selection of varieties with

• more compact foliage

• and resistance for indoor culture.

• Artificial selection

• :

• Objectives

• : Rounder leaves, slower growth, tolerance to low light.

• Results

• : Varieties like 'Green Harmony' (variegated) or 'Minima' (dwarf).

• Cultural impact

• :

• Symbol of prosperity

• in China (round leaves evoking coins).

• Trend plant

• in the West (2018–2023), often given as a gift.

  3. Scientific Discovery

• Named by

• :

• Friedrich Diels

• in 1912, during an expedition to China.

• First descriptions

• :

• Type herbarium

• : Kept at the

• Berlin Botanical Garden

• (B).

• Initial studies

• : Poorly documented before the 1980s (confused with other

• Pilea

• ).

• Modern studies

• :

• Genetics

• : Genome sequencing in

• 2020

• (

• 10KP Genome Sequencing Project

• ).

• Horticulture

• : Research on

• vegetative propagation

• (cutting) and

• disease resistance

• .

  CULTURAL ASPECTS

1. For the Gardener or Informed Amateur

📍 Cultivation Conditions

• Climate
• :
• Ideal
• :
• Temperate to subtropical
• (20–25°C day, 15–18°C night).
• Indoors
• :
• Temperature
• : 18–24°C (tolerates 15–28°C).
• Humidity
• :
• 50–70%
• (occasional misting or pebble tray).
• Avoid
• : Cold drafts, dry radiators.
• Soil
• :
• Homemade recipe
• :
• 60% universal potting soil (without peat for ecology).
• 20% perlite or pozzolana (drainage).
• 20% compost or coconut fibre (water retention).
• pH
• : 6,0–7,0 (test with pH paper if unsure).
• Exposure
• :
• West or East
• : Ideal (soft morning or late afternoon light).
• North
• : Possible but growth slowed (less round leaves).
• South
• :
• To avoid
• (leaf scorch).
• Planting
• :
• Period
• :
• Spring or early summer
• (active growth period).
• Method
• :
• Repotting
• : Every 2–3 years in spring.
• Container
• : Pot with
• drainage holes
• (risk of rot otherwise).
• Spacing
• : 20–30 cm between each plant (for beds in warm climates).
• Maintenance
• :
• Watering
• :
• Method
• : Bottom watering (pot soak 10 min, then drain).
• Frequency
• : 1 time/week in summer, 1 time/10–15 days in winter.
• Signs of water shortage
• : Drooping leaves, slightly wilted.
• Mulching
• :
• Not necessary
• (indoor plant), but can help outdoors.
• Pruning
• :
• Remove
• yellow or damaged leaves.
• Cut back
• long stems to encourage branching.
• Fertiliser
• :
• Type
• : Balanced liquid fertiliser (NPK 10-10-10) or organic (liquid compost).
• Frequency
• : Every 15 days in spring/summer, 1 time/month in autumn/winter.
• Dose
• :
• Dilute by half
• to avoid scorching.

Propagation

• By stem cutting
• (simplest method) :
• Period
• : Spring or early summer.
• Materials
• :
• Sterilised scissors.
• Rooting hormone (optional).
• Substrate : Perlite/potting soil mix (50/50).
• Method
• :

1. Cut a stem of
2. 8–10 cm
3. with
4. 2–3 nodes
5. .
6. Remove lower leaves.
7. Plant in a moist substrate.
8. Cover with a
9. plastic bag
10. (greenhouse effect) or place under a bell.
11. Temperature
12. : 20–25°C, indirect light.
13. Rooting
14. : 3–6 weeks.

• Success rate
• :
• 80–95%
• .
• By leaf cutting
• (slower) :
• Method
• : Cut a leaf with its petiole, plant in a moist substrate.
• Rooting
• : 6–12 weeks.
• By division
• :
• Period
• : Spring.
• Method
• : Carefully separate offsets at the base of the mother plant.

🐝 Attractiveness to Wildlife

• Pollinators
• :
• Bees and hoverflies
• (outdoors, if flowering).
• Soil fauna
• :
• Earthworms
• (if grown in ground in warm climates).
• Humans
• :
• Edible plant
• (leaves in salad or infusion).

🚫 Common Problems & Solutions

2. For the Professional Producer

Industrial Production

• Commercial varieties

• : | Variety | Characteristics | Use | |---|---|---| | 'Standard' | Dark green leaves, 20–30 cm high | Classic indoor plant | | 'Green Harmony' | Variegated foliage (green/white) | High-end decorative plant | | 'Minima' | 10–15 cm high, slow growth | Mini-gardens, terrariums | | 'Silver Sparkle' | Silvery leaves, metallic look | Trend plant (social media) |

  💰 Marketing & Market

• Sales channels

• :

• Specialist shops

• (online garden centres, organic nurseries).

• Supermarkets

• (indoor plant aisle).

• E-commerce platforms

• (Amazon, Etsy, decoration sites).

• Average price

• :

• Adult plant

• : 15–40 € (depending on size and variety).

• Cuttings

• : 5–15 € (online or plant markets).

• Market trends (2024)

• :

• Strong demand

• for variegated varieties (

• 'Green Harmony'

• ).

• Eco-responsible packaging

• (coconut fibre pots, recycled labels).

• Propagation kits

• (for beginners).

Research & Innovation

• Genetic improvement
• :
• Selection of varieties
• resistant to powdery mildew
• .
• Creation of cultivars
• with ultra-fast growth
• for mass production.
• Vertical farming
• :
• Culture in
• hydroponic system
• (inert substrate + nutrient solution).
• Advantages
• : Increased yield, no soil-borne diseases.
• Biocontrol
• :
• Use of
• natural predators
• (e.g.,
• Phytoseiulus persimilis
• against spider mites).

  📚 APPENDICES

📖 Scientific References

1. Diels, F. L. E. (1912).
2. Pilea peperomioides
3. .
4. Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie
5. , 48(4), 469–470.
6. Missouri Botanical Garden. (2024).
7. Pilea peperomioides
8. – Plant Finder.
9. Link
10. NASA Clean Air Study. (1989).
11. Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement
12. .
13. Link
14. Kew Science. (2020).
15. Pilea peperomioides
16. – Plants of the World Online.
17. Link

    Online Resources

• YouTube
• :
• How to Care for Pilea peperomioides – Epic Gardening
• Pilea Propagation Guide – Planter’s Path
• Instagram
• :
• @pileapeperomioides (community of enthusiasts).

• PileaPeperomioides (over 2 million posts).

• Forums
• :
• Reddit : r/plantclinic, r/houseplants.
• Facebook : "Pilea Lovers" groups.

  📝 Gardener's Tracking Sheet

  LICENSE & COPYRIGHT

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