You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!
Coin Plant, or as it’s known among those of us who are Houseplant-Obssessed – Pilea peperomioides – is a relatively easy, and very impressive-looking, plant in any space. A member of the Urticaceae family – which actually makes it a cousin of Stinging Nettle! Coin Plant grows mostly in a vertical habit, with stems branching away from the “trunk” and ending in round, umbrella-like leaves. The leaves of Coin Plant are a bright green color and have a waxy texture. They also have a dot in the center of the leaf (below where the stem joins the leaf) several shades lighter than the leaf. Coin Plant does not often flower as a houseplant, but when it does, the flowers are small and white with pink stems.
Coin Plant grows mainly at the foot of the Himalayas in the Yunnan Province in Southern China. It’s also known as UFO Plant, Friendship Plant (because of how easy it is to separate the pups grown by the Coin Plant and give them as gifts), and Pancake Plant. It is believed that a Norwegian missionary named Agnar Espegren carried the plant home with him in the 1940s and shared them with friends and family.
Place Coin Plant in a spot where it will get medium to bright indirect light, and give the leaves a good wipe down every now and then to maximize light absorption and help keep the plant free of pests. Coin Plant will also do well with artificial light, and the leaves will grow bigger in a lower light situation. You can also give the Coin Plant a shower now and then to clean the leaves. Water Coin Plant when the top two inches are dry. The plant will also let you know when it’s low on water with drooping leaves.
Coin Plant is pet safe, but is not known to be air cleaning. Both the soil and the pot that Coin Plant is planted in should be well draining. If your pot does not have a drainage hole, use a Moisture Meter to test the moisture levels at the bottom of the pot. Coin Plant likes the temperature to be around 55 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but like with most houseplants, keep it away from drafty places like heating vents and doors. Overall Coin Plant is fairly easy to care for, and we would rate it as perfect for beginners.
Happy Plant Parenting!
