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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

Rank Name
Kingdom Plantae
Clade Angiosperms
Clade Eudicotyledons
Clade Rosids
Order Rosales
Family Urticaceae
Genus Pilea
Species peperomioides

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

Problem Symptoms Solutions
Yellow leaves Generalised or localised chlorosis Check : excess water (rotted roots), nitrogen deficiency, unsuitable pH.
Dropping leaves Flaccid plant Insufficient watering or excess heat.
Brown and dry leaves Dried edges or brown spots Sunburn (direct sun) or too dry air (mist).
Powdery mildew White fuzz on leaves Treat with baking soda (1 tsp/L water + black soap).
Mealybugs White cottony balls under leaves Wipe with alcohol-soaked cotton or use neem oil.
Spider mites Fine webs and pale leaves Increase humidity, treat with insecticidal soap or predatory mites.
Root rot Yellow leaves + odorous substrate Stop watering, repot in dry and well-draining substrate.
Etiolated growth Long stems and small leaves Lack of light : move near a window or use a grow light.
No flowering Adult plant but no flowers Normal indoors (need specific conditions : intense light + cool night).

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

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