Types of money plant

The scientific name of the Chinese money plant is Pilea peperomioides. As a result, it is also known by the nickname pilea plant. Other common nicknames include “pancake plant” and “UFO plant”. The common name of this plant comes from its native habitat in the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China as well as its coin-shaped leaves.

Besides the pilea plant, there are many other houseplants also referred to as “money plants”. To begin with, Pachira aquatica, the money tree, is known for its braided trunk and five-leaf clusters. In addition, the golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) and jade plant (Crassula ovata) can carry that nickname as well. Although the phrase “money plant” is a common nickname, each of these plants are different species with different needs.

If you feel confused about which type you have, take a look at the plant’s leaves. Pilea plants have circular peltate leaves. This means that the petiole, or leaf stalk, attaches to the leaf at the center. Pilea also have a central stalk that all the petioles grow from, causing the leaves to form a half orb around the stalk. The combination of these features makes pilea distinct from other common houseplants.

Pilea propagation methods

If you’ve had a pilea plant for a long time, you might notice baby plants or “pups” popping up in the pot. Pilea pups can grow from the plant’s stem or its roots. Because the plant naturally forms babies, the easiest way to propagate pilea is to separate the pups from the parent plant. If your pilea doesn’t have any babies yet, you can also propagate it via cuttings. We’ll go over all the methods here.

How to separate Chinese money plant babies

The two types of pilea pups have different names and cutting methods. First, stem pups, known as offsets or offshoots, grow directly from the plant’s main stem. You can separate offsets by trimming them with sharp pruning shears as close to the main stalk as possible. Pruning shears help make a single clean cut without causing crushing damage to the stems. Pups trimmed from offsets usually don’t have any roots yet, so after cutting you will need to root them. Click on the image or link to see the current price:

Ultra Snip 6.7 Inch Pruning Shear with Stainless Steel Blades

In comparison, the other type of pup grows from the roots of the pilea on a structure called a rhizome. Rhizome pups attach to the parent plant under the soil. In order to separate these pups, remove the plant from its pot and gently loosen the soil around the top of the plant with your fingers or a chopstick. When the rhizome is visible, you should be able to see a connection from the parent to the pup. Using your shears, cut partway along the rhizome. Choose your cutting location so that the baby plant still has some underground roots attached to it. Then, you can return the parent plant to its pot.

How to propagate Chinese money plant from stem cutting

Because pilea plants produce pups, it is not necessary to cut the parent plant to create babies; however, there are some reasons you may want to take a stem cutting. The most common reason to take a stem cutting is if your pilea plant has lost many leaves and the bottom of the stalk is bare. The plant will not grow new leaves where they fell off, so taking a top cutting can improve the appearance of your plant.

Using your pruning shears, cut the top of the stalk off the plant, including an inch or two of bare stem. The bottom of your cutting needs to be covered by the rooting medium, so leaving some bare stem will ensure that no leaves are covered. The bottom stump of the plant you can leave in the pot to grow new pups around it.

In the future, you can avoid pilea dropping leaves by improving its care inside your home. The most common issue with indoor plants is insufficient light. Providing enough light for your houseplants not only makes them grow faster, but it also helps other areas like watering. When plants photosynthesize, they take up more water from their roots, which means you can water more consistently without worrying about overwatering them. Click on the image or link to see the current price:

Dr.meter LX1330B Digital Illuminance Light Meter, 0-200,000 Measurement Range Lux Meter

Pilea light needs are measured in foot-candles, a common method for measuring light intensity. Indoor pilea need at least 200 foot candles to survive. Although pileas are a shade-loving plant, it might surprise you to know that outdoor shade is up to 2000 foot candles (compared to 10,000 foot candles of direct sun). In conclusion, pilea plants need more light than you might expect to thrive, and if you don’t have a bright enough window you can supplement your plant’s light with a grow light. Click on the image or link to see the current price:

GE Grow LED Light Bulb, For Seeds and Greens, Balanced Light Spectrum, Medium Base, PAR38 Bulb Shape (Pack of 1)

Can you propagate Chinese money plant from a single leaf?

If your pilea is unhappy and drops a leaf, you might wonder if you can propagate that leaf into a new plant. While pilea can be propagated from leaves, you need to use a healthy leaf with a piece of stem attached. Unfortunately, fallen leaves are no longer healthy and will not grow a new plant if you try to propagate them. Leaves with no stem may root but will never grow any new leaves.

Instead, collect a fresh green leaf from your pilea using a knife or sharp pruning shears. Make sure to include a slice of the stem, but don’t cut all the way through the stalk. If your pilea receives adequate lighting, the petioles may be close together on the stalk and it can be difficult to only cut one leaf. This cutting method takes the longest to grow a new plant but it uses the least amount of plant material.

Pilea rooting methods

Once you’ve cut your new plants, you can treat them to speed up the rooting process and help avoid rot. The larger the cutting, the more important it is to grow roots quickly to sustain the plant. I like to use Clonex rooting gel, which contains a hormone to promote root growth. Rooting hormone also comes in a powder format, but I prefer gel because it will stay on the cut end even under water, while the powder will wash off. Click on the image or link to see the current price:

HydroDynamics Clonex Rooting Gel, 100 ml

Each cutting just needs a tiny bit of rooting hormone. Dip the cut end into the hormone until there is a thin layer over the cut. Then you can place your cutting into the rooting medium of choice. Pups that already have roots do not need any rooting hormone, and it won’t benefit them to add it.

How to propagate Chinese money plant in soil

Soil is the best propagation medium for pups that already have roots, such as those taken from rhizomes. Rooted pups are ready to become self-sustaining plants without any other steps. Make sure to plant them in a well-draining houseplant potting mix. There are three ways to get good soil for your pilea.

Soil mixes for pilea

1. Amend regular potting mix (like Miracle-Gro) with perlite to improve drainage. Big box store potting mix, even if promoted as well draining, is often too dense for most plants when grown indoors. Adding a coarse chunky perlite in a ratio of 40% perlite to 60% percent potting soil will improve aeration of the soil and keep your plant’s roots happy. I always get this perlite since it’s the only one I’ve found that doesn’t contain a lot of dust. Click on the image or link to see the current price:

Mother Earth Perlite #3, Covers 4 cu. ft., Large and Coarse, Average Size 1/2 inch, For Hydroponic Use, Neutral pH

2. Create your own custom potting mix by combining the ingredients yourself. This gives you 100% control over your plant’s soil and can be economical if you have a lot of plants to repot.

3. Use a high quality commercial custom mix. The rePotme mixes contain similar ingredients to my custom mix. For example, in addition to containing aerating materials like perlite, the rePotme soil uses my favorite moisture-retaining ingredient: coco coir. This soil is a huge improvement over peat-based soils like Miracle-Gro because it is sustainable and doesn’t repel water when dry. Although they don’t make a mix specifically for pilea, the general houseplant mix is a good choice. Click on the image or link to see the current price:

rePotme Houseplant and Tropical Classic Potting Soil Mix – Mini Bag

Unrooted cuttings in soil

I don’t recommend putting unrooted pilea cuttings into soil. While the benefit of not having to replant them later can sound appealing, soil rooting is the riskiest method. Cuttings buried under soil are difficult to check root growth, they can become anaerobic and rot if the soil is too dense or waterlogged, and the organic material in the soil can introduce disease.

How to propagate Chinese money plant in water

Water is my rooting method of choice for unrooted pilea cuttings and pups. Water keeps your plant hydrated with consistent moisture levels, and is usually the fastest rooting method for fresh, healthy cuttings. In addition, it is easy to remove the cuttings when they have roots to plant in soil.

To propagate in water, place the pups or cuttings in a clear container filled with fresh tap water. You want at least an inch of stem to be submerged in the water, but no leaves underwater because they can rot. If the stem isn’t long enough, you can remove the bottom leaves. Replace the water every few days. The clear container will allow you to keep a close eye on your plant’s progress. Click on the image or link to see the current price:

Desktop Plant Terrarium Propagation Station- 3 Pcs Tabletop Glass Planter Water Planting Glass Vase with Lid & Wooden Stand for Growing Hydroponic Plants Home Office Table Decoration

Here are a few bonus tips to help with water rooting! One downside of water rooting is limited airflow around the roots. You can add an aquarium airstone bubbler to a larger water vessel to improve airflow and speed up the rooting process. Click on the image or link to see the current price:

Quiet Aquarium Air Pump 1.5 Watt Energy Saving Mini Oxygen Pump for 1-15 Gallon Fish Tank with Accessories White

Furthermore, once roots have started to grow you can add a weak fertilizer. I like liquidirt because it provides micronutrients that plants need but is gentle enough not to burn them or cause algae to grow in the water. Click on the image or link to see the current price:

Liqui-Dirt Nano Powder All-Purpose Organic Complete Plant Food for Indoor or Outdoor Use (Makes over 50 gallons) 18 Balanced Super Foods -Balanced Blend of Vitamins Minerals Micro-Fungi and Bio-Organisms

When your cuttings or pups have roots that are a few inches long, they are ready to be planted in soil and you are ready to enjoy your new baby Chinese money plants!

Want to use what we use to propagate plants? Check out our recommended best propagation supplies on Amazon!

The post How to Propagate Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides) | Easy! appeared first on Plant Propagation Guide.

How to cut a snake plant

The tall, blade-like leaves of a snake plant are its most distinctive feature. For that reason, we also call snake plants by the name “mother in law tongue.” Due to their unique shape, you may wonder where you need to cut in order to propagate a snake plant.

Unlike other houseplants such as pothos, snake plants do not have stems and nodes to propagate with. The leaf blades are instead connected by an underground growth called a “rhizome” that looks like a white stem. We can propagate snake plants by leaf cuttings and rhizome divisions, which are commonly known as “pups.”

How to cut snake plant leaves

To propagate from a leaf, select a leaf to cut. I choose one from the middle of the plant so the stub is not visible from outside. You can select multiple leaves to cut as long as you take no more than 1/3 of the plant’s leaves at once. Next, you’ll need a pair of pruning shears to cut through the thick leaf at the base. Shears cut the stem cleanly, without causing any crushing damage, to keep the tissue healthy. I recommend these shears:

Ultra Snip 6.7 Inch Pruning Shear with Stainless Steel Blades

Once you have a leaf cutting, you can propagate the whole leaf or cut it further. Keep in mind that each cutting only has the limited energy available within it to grow roots; the smaller the piece, the longer it will take to grow. If your goal is to make as many plants as possible, subdividing is the way to go. On the other hand, if you want to create a nice looking baby plant, whole leaves are the most appealing. Subdivided leaves do not grow back into full leaves, so they will stay as a stump.

To subdivide a leaf cutting, cut it into horizontal strips at least 2 inches tall. Don’t forget which side is the top and which is the bottom. The cuttings need to be placed top side up when rooting because the roots will grow from the bottom.

Treating the cuttings

Now that you have your cuttings, they need to grow roots to survive. In order to help them along, you can add rooting hormone to the cutting, if you wish. Plants naturally produce this hormone, which signals to the plant that it should grow roots, but by adding hormone you can encourage it to grow roots faster. Some rooting hormones also contain fungicide to prevent fungus or rot.

HydroDynamics Clonex Rooting Gel, 100 ml

Rooting hormone comes in powder and gel format. I use Clonex gel because it works in both wet and dry mediums. Powder only works in dry mediums (like soil and not water) because it will wash off in a liquid.

Whether or not hormone is applied to the cuttings, leave them out for a day or two for the cut ends to callous and form a barrier over the cut. Snake plants have succulent leaves so this takes longer than it does for other plants. When the cutting is no longer dripping water or sticky on the cut end, it’s ready to go.

How to divide a snake plant

Depending on how long you’ve owned your snake plant, you might notice new growths poking up through the soil. As the plant gets older and more mature, the rhizome grows bigger underground. Then once the new rhizome gets big enough, it will send up a new leaf shoot and create a baby pup. Without human help, snake plants reproduce in the wild using pups.

Leaving pups in your snake plant’s pot will help the plant become more full looking. If the pot is too full or you want to create new plants, it’s time to divide!

First, grab the plant by the leaf blades in one hand and pull the plant out of its pot. Gently remove any loose dirt. A chopstick can help loosen the plant and tease out dirt from the roots. You should see the orangish roots of the plant, as well as the white stemlike rhizomes between leaf clusters. You may also see rhizomes that don’t have any leaves growing yet. Using your pruning shears, cut cleanly through the rhizome to separate pups on the outer edge of the plant. When dividing, try to leave at least 2/3 of the parent plant intact. Gently detangle any roots on the cut pieces from the main plant’s roots.

What to do with snake plant divisions

If your rhizome divisions already have several root clusters, with smaller root branches coming off the main roots, then you can plant them directly into soil. If they have no roots or not enough roots, you will need to root them like you do with cuttings. Don’t worry though, since the rhizomes are already formed it will be easier and faster than rooting from a leaf. Ideally, let the rhizome divison cut dry, but only if you are able to keep the roots moist.

Which cutting method to use? Cutting vs divisions

The best method is up to your personal preferece. Each has pros and cons. For example, leaf cuttings are less complicated to take from the parent plant, while division requires you to dig the parent up. On the other hand, each leaf cutting will need to grow roots and then grow a new rhizome before it can start putting out new leaves. Because of these extra steps, leaf cuttings take longer to produce new growth than pups.

For variegated snake plant varieties, like “laurentii” and “moonshine,” leaf cuttings result in reverted babies that display no variegation. Variegated snake plants can only be propagated true to type by division.

How to grow a snake plant from cuttings

Now that you have your cuttings or rootless divisions, it’s time to grow them into new plants! The first step of creating a new plant is rooting. There are lots of methods that can work, but each have pros and cons. The right method depends on your preference as well as the specific plant type.

Slow-growing snake plants are also slow rooters, putting them at higher risk for rot than other plants. For this reason, I prefer high airflow methods like perlite and LECA for the most successful propagations, although it’s hard to beat the convenience of water.

Rooting method criteria

When choosing a rooting method, consider the things your cutting needs to grow roots and avoid rot:

Moisture keeps your plant alive without roots and encourages root growth. Any existing roots should be kept consistently wet. High humidity around the plant will limit water loss. Airflow is important in a high humidity environment to maintain oxygen around roots and prevent root rot.

Whichever method you choose, make sure the base end of your cutting or pup is covered by the rooting medium about 1 to 1 and a half inches down.

How to propagate a snake plant in water

Water is the least complicated way of propagating your snake plant! Fill a glass or jar with water, place the cutting in, and replace the water every few days. A fish tank air stone can be added to increase water oxygen levels. We recommend this fish air pump. Click on the image or link for the current price:

Quiet Aquarium Air Pump 1.5 Watt Energy Saving Mini Oxygen Pump for 1-15 Gallon Fish Tank with Accessories White

Since snake plants take so long to root, you may notice the cut end of the stem becoming goopy or soft from sitting in water. This is ok as long as the area is still light colored, but if it becomes dark brown or black and falls apart, it is rotting. Cut the rotted bottom off the cutting and try again.

Pros: Can use a clear container to see roots form and check cutting for rot. Keeps your cutting from becoming dehydrated & don’t need to worry about watering frequency. Very easy to maintain consistent moisture around roots. No organic matter in medium to introduce disease. No damage to roots when removing from water. Roots grow quickly in water. Extremely easy to set up.

Cons: No airflow around roots. Only source of oxygen is what is dissolved in water. More difficult to transition roots grown in water to soil. Cut end of stem is in water.

Using test tubes allows a plant to grow its initial root system. Plus, the clear tubes allow you to monitor progress. The vertical walls (i.e. no neck) of the tube ensures that removing the plant and its new roots is easy! If you plan on growing a very large root system, stop using the lid as the root system progresses. We recommend this propagation station. Click on the image or link for the current price:

Desktop Plant Terrarium Propagation Station- 3 Pcs Tabletop Glass Planter Water Planting Glass Vase with Lid & Wooden Stand for Growing Hydroponic Plants Home Office Table Decoration

How to propagate a snake plant in perlite

Perlite has similar benefits to water, with the addition of greater airflow. Perlite is absorbent and porous, so it will wick moisture up to areas of the container that are not underwater. Keep the container filled with a small reservoir of water below the level of the cut end of the leaf, and cover the top if possible to hold in humidity around the roots.

You can use any chunky, inorganic material for this method, like pumice or lava rocks, if you don’t have perlite. Perlite is my preference because it is so lightweight; it is easy to pull out the cutting to check on it without disturbing it too much. Heavier mediums will help tall leaf cuttings stand up better, however.

Make sure you pick a course perlite (#3 or bigger to minimize dust) without fertilizer. I recommend this perlite:

Mother Earth Perlite #3, Covers 4 cu. ft., Large and Coarse, Average Size 1/2 inch, For Hydroponic Use, Neutral pH

If the perlite you chose comes with dust, rinse it very thouroughly before use. Keep the perlite moist but not soaking around your cutting. You know the perlite has the right moisture content when it causes fogging on the inside of the container.

Pros: Easy to maintain consistent moisture around roots. No organic matter in medium to introduce fungus or disease. Minimal damage to roots when removing from perlite. Allows airflow to roots.

Cons: Can’t check on roots forming or see rot.

How to propagate a snake plant in LECA

LECA, short for lightweight expanded clay aggregate, is a larger sized wicking medium. Some people grow plants in LECA permanently even after they have roots, a process called “semi-hydroponics.” Fill a close-bottomed container with damp LECA in the bottom 1/3, then place in your cutting and surround with more LECA to hold it up. Fill the container with water to just below the level of the cutting and refill or replace the water as it goes down. In addition, covering the top of the container will help maintain humidity around the roots. As the plant grows roots, you can reduce the level of the water reservoir to just below the roots.

You can buy large bags easily from Hydroton brand on Amazon, and also find small LECA bags at Ikea! Make sure to buy a variety like the one linked here that is made out of expanded clay. Some smaller, smooth and colorful propagation balls are marketed as LECA on Amazon, but they are made of ceramsite and do not wick as well as real LECA.

Mother Earth Hydroton Original Clay Pebbles – 10 Liter, Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate

LECA comes covered in red clay dust so make sure to rinse it until the water runs clear before use.

Pros: Easy to maintain consistent moisture around roots. No organic matter in medium to introduce fungus or disease. Minimal damage to roots when removing. Allows airflow to roots. Large particle size is easier to work with than perlite and easier to see roots growing due to the large gaps between particles. Plants in LECA can go longer between waterings as the resevoir holds a lot of water.

Cons: Need to pay attention to maintain resevoir at correct height. LECA will not wick if it dries out completely. Requires more complicated care to grow plants in long term than soil.

How to propagate a snake plant in sphagnum moss

You can also propagate snake plants in sphagnum moss. Moist moss holds a lot of water, which is great for maintaining humidity around roots while still allowing airflow. A cover, like cling wrap or a humidity dome, can be used to hold humidity in the container. We recommend this propagator dome.

Propagator with Humidity Vents Domes,Heavy Duty Growing Tray Mini Greenhouse for Seedlings,Clones

This method can yield great results, but is difficult to execute correctly. People often have issues caused by moss that is too wet or too dry.

besgrow New Zealand Sphagnum Moss (100 Grams)

Pros: Maintains high moisture and humidity without liquid water. Lightweight and easy to shape around roots. Roots transition more easily to soil.

Cons: Can easily become too compacted. Hard to maintain consistent moisture. Can’t check on roots forming or see rot. Damaging and time consuming to remove from roots. Organic medium can introduce fungus or disease.

How to propagate a snake plant in soil or dirt

Many commercial nurseries that need to produce new plants efficiently just plant their cuttings straight into soil. This method can work, especially with a fresh, healthy cutting, but it has the most downsides out of all the methods. Make sure to use an appropriate soil mix for snake plants, not dirt from outside.

Snake Plant Imperial Houseplant Potting Soil Mix by rePotme – Mini Bag (2 Quarts)

Pros: No transplanting required. Plant can benefit from beneficial bacteria and fungi in soil.

Cons: Hard to maintain consistent moisture. Can’t check on roots forming or see rot. Soil can become anaerobic if overwatered. Organic medium can introduce fungus or disease.

How to propagate a snake plant in sand

While snake plants have succulent leaves like a cactus, I don’t recommend propagating them in sand. Sand has the same downsides as soil, although it is inorganic. In addition, sand becomes compacted extremely easily, which means no airflow to your plant and a much higher chance of rot in a waterlogged and anaerobic environment.

Propagating snake plants faster

Until your cutting grows roots, you don’t need to add nutrients to the water you use to moisten your propagation medium, because it can’t absorb them. Once roots begin to grow, you can add nutrients to help it grow faster. I use a few drops of Liqui-Dirt added to the water. This is a low strength fertilizer that won’t harm fragile baby plants or encourage algae growth in your propagating medium.

Liqui-Dirt Nano Powder All-Purpose Organic Complete Plant Food for Indoor or Outdoor Use (Makes over 50 gallons) 18 Balanced Super Foods -Balanced Blend of Vitamins Minerals Micro-Fungi and Bio-Organisms

Snake plant propagation problems

The two most common propagation problems with snake plants are dehydration and root rot. In both cases, the plant is not getting the water that it needs. If the leaves of your cutting or pup become wrinkled and limp, your first action should be to check the roots.

If your cutting doesn’t have any roots yet, it’s been too long since it had a drink. You can cut a small slice off the cutting bottom callous, and place it in water for a day or two to rehydrate. Then, place it back in the propagation medium.

If the cutting does have roots, check to make sure they are still firm and orangey white in color. Dyhydration with good roots means that the plant needs more consistent water in its medium and you should water more frequently. If the roots are black, brown, mushy, or stringy they are rotted and are not longer providing your plant any water because they are dead.

Treating root rot in snake plants

If your snake plant gets root rot, don’t panic! Cut off any stringy and mushy tissue with your shears, and then reroot it as though it were a rootless cutting using one of the methods outlined above. Using these methods you can rescue any cutting, pup, or established snake plant.

Do you have everything you need to get started with propagating your plants? Check out our recommended supplies!

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