3 Simple Ways for Successful Pilea Propagation
Pilea peperomioides, commonly known as the Chinese Money Plant, is a popular indoor plant beloved for its low-maintenance care and cute, round-shaped leaves. Did you know that it’s also called the "Friendship Plant"? This is because Pileas are easy to propagate, making them perfect for sharing with friends.
We created this guide to show you how to propagate Pilea, so you can enjoy gardening and share the joy with friends. Let’s get started！
Pilea Propagation by Offshoots
Once your pilea peperomioides matures, it naturally produces small offshoots from its base. These offshoots can be separated and grown into new plants.
Step 1: Separate the Offshoots
Gently move aside the leaves to locate where an offshoot connects to the main rhizome. Using sharp, sterilized scissors or pruners, carefully cut the offshoot away from the parent plant, keeping as many roots attached as possible. It's okay if the roots are short or few, as you can root it in water first.
Step 2: Root in Water(Recommended)
Place the offshoot in a transparent jar filled with room-temperature water. Make sure the base of the stem is submerged but that no leaves are touching the water. Position the container in bright, indirect light. Roots will typically appear in about two weeks. Once the roots are about 1 inch (2–3 cm) long, the offshoot is ready to be planted.
Step 3: Pot in Soil
Prepare a pot with well-draining potting mix, ideally containing peat moss, perlite, and sand for aeration. Create a small hole in the center, place the rooted offshoot in it, and gently press the soil around the base.
Step 4: Aftercare
Water thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom. Keep your new plant in a warm, bright spot with indirect sunlight, and protect it from direct sun and drafts. If propagating in winter or under low-light conditions, supplement with a low-wattage full-spectrum LED grow light.
Pilea Propagation by Stem
If you have a pilea with multiple trunks, or simply want your plant to grow more vigorously, you can cut off a trunk and turn it into a new plant.
Step 1: Prune a Stem
Select a sturdy, healthy stem and trim it using sharp, sterilized pruning shears, leaving the leaves intact. As pilea plants mature, the lower leaves often fall off, giving the plant a leggy appearance. Pruning the stem not only allows for the propagation of new plants but also helps maintain a compact and vigorous shape.
Step 2: Soak in Water
Immerse the cut stem in water, using the same method as for rooting offshoots in water mentioned above: A transparent glass container, allowing bright, indirect sunlight. Once the roots have grown to about 1 inch, you can transplant them into soil.
Step 3: Transplant to Soil
Plant the rooted stem in well-draining, pre-moistened potting soil. Make a small hole in the center, place the rooted cutting in, and gently press the soil around it to secure the stem. After that, place the pot in a warm, bright, and sheltered location. Keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy.
Pilea Propagation by Single Leaves
Another fascinating way to propagate pilea peperomioides is by using a single leaf cutting. While this method may sound unbelievable, it beautifully showcases the pilea’s remarkable vitality.
Step 1: Take Leaf Cuttings
Choose a healthy leaf from your pilea. Avoid leaves that are yellowing, drooping, or have fallen off on their own. Using a sharp, sterilized knife or scissors, cut the leaf close to the main stem. The cuttings have to retain the entire leaf stalk and a small portion of the brown rhizome, which contains the growth node needed for new shoots to form.
Step 2：Submerge in Water
Place the leaf stalk in a glass container filled with clean water and care for it as described above. Some cuttings may root while others may not. To increase the success rate, you can propagate several leaves at once. Roots typically begin to appear within 2-3 weeks.
Step 3：Replant in Potting Mix
Finally, simply transplant the rooted cutting into soil. The planting and post-planting care techniques are the same as mentioned earlier: warm, humid conditions, indirect sunlight, and well-draining soil.
