Chinese money plant

botany

Also known as: Pilea peperomioides

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The Chinese money plant, also known as Pilea peperomioides or the pancake plant, is an evergreen perennial native to southern China. It is characterized by its dark green, circular leaves that grow on long petioles, resembling coins. This plant is popular as a houseplant due to its resilience, ease of care, and the belief that it brings wealth and fortune. It thrives in bright spots and requires regular watering in summer, with reduced watering in winter. The name "Chinese money plant" comes from its origin and the coin-like appearance of its leaves.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Pilea
…on glossy dark green leaves; Chinese money plant (P. peperomioides), with long petioles (leaf stalks) attached to the centre of the undersides of the round leaves; and friendship plant, or panamiga (P. involucrata), with quilted bronzy leaves.
Read More
…on glossy dark green leaves; Chinese money plant (P. peperomioides), with long petioles (leaf stalks) attached to the centre of the undersides of the round leaves; and friendship plant, or panamiga (P. involucrata), with quilted bronzy leaves.
Read More