According to Leslie F. Halleck, certified professional horticulturist, author of Gardening Under Lights, Plant Parenting, and Tiny Plants, and UCLA extension horticulture instructor, “Many in the plant space are shifting to using coin plant as a more culturally acceptable common name for Pilea peperomioides.” People choose this plant for its curious round-shaped leaves, and it’s also considered a lucky, wealth-attracting plant in feng shui. The Pilea peperomioides is a relatively common plant that you should be able to find at your local plant shop or nursery. “The No. 1 thing for success is giving the plant the right environment,” says Justin Hancock, horticulturist and head of brand marketing at Costa Farms. “Light is key—so look for a spot with sufficient natural or artificial light.” If your space doesn’t get much sunlight, using a grow light is also an option, but you’ll need to make sure it doesn’t overpower your plant. “You don’t want to place it too close to a grow lamp that will deliver intense light and heat,” says Halleck. You can probably go longer between waterings than you think since these plants are hardy, resistant, and act more like succulents. A properly watered plant will be upright with flat, glossy leaves, says Halleck. “I’d always advise erring on the side of a little less water than more,” she adds. With that being said, it’s important to ensure this plant gets enough rays. “Not enough light results in slow growth with long internodes—the space between the leaves—resulting in an unattractive, lanky plant,” says Hancock. So what type of light should you aim for? “Morning sunlight and indirect afternoon sunlight is best,” Michael Clarke, a horticulture expert and the founder of Pulled, tells mbg. For those living in the Northern Hemisphere, placing your plant near an east-facing window will be a good bet. “Don’t over-pot these plants; meaning use smaller containers as plants have a relatively small root system,” she adds. You’ll just want to avoid areas in the home where there can be sudden temp changes. “Keep [your plant] away from drafts and vents,” she suggests. “Exposure to direct airflow that’s significantly warmer or cooler than the ambient air temperature can damage the leaves, causing yellow or brown edges and premature leaf drop.” There are a few different ways to propagate plants, but the following method is simplest for the Pilea peperomioides: When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time in her garden, experimenting with ingredients in the kitchen, or spending time by the ocean. See her portfolio on her website.
