Propagating Pilea Peperomioides, also known as the Pancake pant or the Chinese Money Plant, is very simple. There are different ways to propagate this plant quickly. It might be interesting for you to know that Pilea peperomioides is also known as friendship plant because it has traditionally been passed from one person to another via cuttings.
Propagation of Pilea Peperomioides
If you have a Pilea plant at home and wondering how can you gift it to your friends, you are at the right place. Here we will discuss how to propagate Pilea peperomioides in detail.
Many people propagate Chinese money plants through cuttings, however, a much easier way is to take good care of your plant and it will produce baby plants from both its roots and stems.
It is very easy to take care of a Pilea peperomioides and even if you do not have a green thumb, you can keep this plant healthy. It simply needs a plastic pot with soil that includes perlite, a spot with bright direct sunlight, and water when the upper layer of soil is dried out.
You will start noticing baby plants popping out once your plant gets matured and adjusted to your home environment.
Pilea Peperomioides Propagation Using Root Plantlets
The easiest way is to propagate it using plantlets grown from the roots of the mother plant. A healthy Pilea with a lot of pot space keeps producing little babies. They pop up from the soil and when you see a few leaves grown on them, they are ready to be repotted.
As these baby plants already have developed a root system, the only thing you need to do to repot them is to disconnect them from their parent plant using a clean sharp knife. Repot in a small pot of their own. For a new plant, keep the soil lightly moist.
Voilà! Your baby Pilea peperomioides are ready – keep them, sell them, or give them to your friends, family, or neighbours as an environment-friendly gift.
You may notice that the baby plants are in a little shock just after you move them to a new pot, but their roots help them overcome this shock quickly and they start thriving within a short time period.
Pilea Peperomioides Propagation Using Stem Plantlets
Pilea plants also produce babies on their stems. Unlike root plantlet, these babies do not have a root system. Therefore, you need to pay a little more attention to them, but they are easy to grow as well.
Here is how you can use stem plantlets to grow new plants:
- Using a clean and sharp knife, remove the baby from its mother stem.
- You can now either place the plant in a vase with water or a new plant with soil. Soil should be moist.
- Usually, home growers prefer the first option as these little babies look adorable in cute vases. It also helps you monitor if the baby plants are rooting as they should.
- Once the roots are grown, you can repot them like a regular plant with soil or leave them in water, either way, they can grow healthy.
Whether you move your baby plant in soil or in water, be patient as it will take some time to develop roots, especially during winter as most houseplants aren’t growing actively during this season.
Once the newly potted plant starts showing new leaf growth, it is a sign that your plant is healthy, happy, and well-rooted.
Pilea Propagation Through Stem Cuttings
This is another way to propagate Pilea peperomioides. Although this method is also not much difficult, there is not much reason to do so. To grow a new plant from stem cuttings, you have to wait till the roots grow as it might take some time and the process is not always successful.
However, there are two situations where taking stem cuttings can come in quite handy. If your Pilea has grown too tall and you don’t like it, you can cut the stem from the point of your desired height and use the cutting for propagating a new plant.
You can also cut the stem of Pilea peperomioides if the plant is suffering from stem rot. In this case, you would need to discard all rotting parts of the plant.
The good thing about Pilea is if the cut part is healthy, it will resprout. Therefore, instead of heaving an awkward Pilea, you can have several decent height plants in your home.
Propagating a new plant from a stem cutting is similar to growing one from a stem plantlet that doesn’t have roots. Just place the cutting in water or soil and take care of it until roots develop.
Care Tips to Keep a Newly Propagated Plant Healthy
Once you have successfully propagated a new plant, it’s time to keep them healthy and happy. If you are not sure how to troubleshoot your Pilea, here are some quick tips.
- Avoid Overwatering: This is the most important point. Do not overwater your plant. For healthy Pilea peperomioides, let the soil completely dry between two watering sessions. In fact, the number one reason for Pileas’ death is overwatering. Ensure that your planter has drainage holes. If it has no holes, the water that sits at the bottom can rot the roots and eventually the whole plant. Only water a Pilea when its soil is dry to touch.
- Underwatering: If your plant’s leaves are drooping, they are underwatered. Water them appropriately.
- Root Rot: If you notice that the plant looks off or there is mould on the soil surface, your plant has root rot. Check its roots by taking the plant out of the soil. If the color of the roots is light, they are still healthy, however, if they appear to be dark-colored or mushy, the roots have been rotten.
- Inadequate Light: If your leaves are dooming, change the location of the plant and keep it at a spot that receives a lot of bright indirect light.
Q&A’s
What is the best time to take a pancake plant cutting?
The best time to take a pancake plant cutting is in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. This gives the cutting the best chance to root and develop.
How do I cut a cutting from a pancake plant?
Choose a healthy, mature leaf stem and cut it off with a sharp, clean knife or pruning shears. Make sure to take a portion of the stem. Then place the cutting either in a glass of water or directly in potting soil.
How long does it take for a pancake plant cutting to root?
In water, roots should begin to grow within 2 to 4 weeks. If you’ve placed the cutting in soil, it might take a bit longer to see visible growth, usually around 4-6 weeks.
How do I care for my pancake plant cutting?
Place the cutting in an area with indirect sunlight and keep the soil or water it’s planted in moist but not saturated. Once the roots have grown, you can plant the cutting in potting soil with good drainage.
When should I repot my pancake plant cutting?
Once the cutting has developed roots about 5-7 cm long, you can repot it into a pot with fresh potting soil. This gives the young plant more space and nutrients to grow.
Can I plant multiple pancake plant cuttings in one pot?
Yes, you can plant multiple pancake plant cuttings in one pot to create a fuller plant. Ensure each cutting has enough space to grow and develop.
What should I do if my cutting isn’t growing?
If after 6-8 weeks your cutting shows no signs of growth, it’s possible the cutting won’t root. In that case, consider taking a new cutting and repeating the process.
Should I fertilize the pancake plant cutting?
There’s no need to fertilize young pancake plant cuttings. Once the cutting has been repotted and starts to grow, you might consider adding a light, balanced fertilizer to promote growth.
How can I ensure my pancake plant cutting stays healthy?
Provide the right growing conditions by giving the plant adequate indirect sunlight, not overwatering, and planting in well-draining soil. It’s also good to regularly check the plant for signs of diseases or pests.
Propagating a pancake plant is a simple and rewarding way to expand your plant collection. With the right care and attention, your new pancake plant cutting will soon become a beautiful, mature plant.
Key Takeaway
Propagating Pilea peperomiodes is an easy and fun process. You can propagate the plant using different methods. All you need to do is to keep your new and old plants healthy and fulfill their requirements to help them grow happy. Gift newly propagated Pileas to others or keep them in your house making the space even greener.
