Can Chinese Money Plant Grow In Aquarium – Your Complete Guide

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Hello, fellow green thumbs! If you’re anything like me, your home is a sanctuary of life, filled with both leafy houseplants and shimmering aquatic friends. You lovingly tend to your Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides), watching its charming, coin-shaped leaves multiply. And you gaze at your aquarium, a vibrant underwater world. Have you ever stood between the two and thought, “Could I combine these two passions?”

You’re not alone in asking, can chinese money plant grow in aquarium setups? It’s a fantastic question that merges the worlds of horticulture and aquascaping. I promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll not only have the definitive answer but also the confidence and knowledge to do it yourself.

We’re going to dive deep into everything you need to know. We’ll explore the incredible benefits, walk through the exact step-by-step process of preparing and planting, cover the best long-term care practices, and troubleshoot any little hiccups you might encounter along the way. Let’s create something beautiful together!

The Short Answer: Yes, But With a Twist!

Let’s get right to it: Yes, you absolutely can grow a Chinese Money Plant in an aquarium! But—and this is the most important part—it cannot be fully submerged. This is a common point of confusion for many gardeners, so let’s clear it up right away.

The Chinese Money Plant is not a true aquatic plant. If you were to place the entire plant, leaves and all, under the water, it would quickly rot and die. The secret to success lies in a method called emergent growth or riparian planting.

This simply means the plant’s roots are grown in the aquarium water, while its stems and leaves grow up in the open air. This setup mimics how many plants grow in the wild along riverbanks, with their roots in the water and their foliage reaching for the sun. It’s the perfect compromise, and it works beautifully.

The Amazing Benefits of Growing a Chinese Money Plant in Your Aquarium

So, why go to the trouble? Well, my friend, the rewards are well worth it. Integrating a Pilea into your tank is more than just a fun experiment; it creates a tiny, symbiotic ecosystem. This is a core part of creating a sustainable and eco-friendly can chinese money plant grow in aquarium setup.

Here are some of the fantastic benefits:

  • Natural Water Filtration: This is the star of the show! Your fish produce waste, which breaks down into nitrates. While harmless in small amounts, high nitrate levels can stress your fish. Your Chinese Money Plant’s roots will eagerly absorb these nitrates as a primary food source, acting as a natural, living filter to help keep your water cleaner and healthier.
  • A Stunning Aesthetic: Let’s be honest—it looks incredible. The vibrant green, pancake-shaped leaves cascading over the side of your tank create a lush, naturalistic bridge between the aquatic world inside and the living space outside.
  • Reduced Algae Growth: Algae also feeds on nitrates. By having your Pilea consume those excess nutrients, you’re essentially starving out potential algae blooms. It’s a win-win for a clearer tank!
  • Shelter for Fish and Fry: The dangling root systems provide excellent, naturalistic cover for shy fish, shrimp, and especially tiny baby fish (fry), giving them a safe place to hide from larger tank mates.
  • Effortless Watering: You can say goodbye to wondering if you’ve over or under-watered your Pilea. With its roots in a constant source of water, it takes exactly what it needs, when it needs it.

How to Prepare Your Chinese Money Plant for Aquarium Life

Before you introduce your plant to its new aquatic home, a little prep work is essential. This step is crucial for the health of your plant and, more importantly, the delicate balance of your aquarium’s ecosystem. Don’t worry—it’s easier than it sounds!

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Choosing the Perfect Plant or Cutting

You have two great options here. You can either use an established mother plant or, my personal favorite, use one of its “pups.” Pilea are famous for sending up little offshoots through the soil or from the main stem.

These pups are perfect candidates! They are small, adaptable, and their root systems are easier to clean. Look for a healthy pup with a few leaves and a bit of stem. If using a larger plant, choose one that is healthy and free of any pests.

The All-Important Cleaning Process

This is the most critical step in this can chinese money plant grow in aquarium guide. You must remove all of the soil from the plant’s roots. Soil contains bacteria, fertilizers, and other compounds that can wreak havoc in your closed aquarium system, causing cloudy water or dangerous ammonia spikes.

  1. Gently remove the plant from its pot and crumble away as much loose soil as you can with your fingers.
  2. Take the plant to a sink and use a gentle stream of lukewarm water to wash the remaining soil from the roots. Be patient and thorough!
  3. Continue rinsing until the roots are completely clean and free of any dirt. They should be a whitish-cream color.

Acclimating Your Plant

While not strictly necessary, I’ve found this little pro-tip helps reduce shock. Place the cleaned plant’s roots in a jar or vase of dechlorinated water (you can use some water from your aquarium during a water change) for a few days. This allows it to get used to being soil-free before it goes into the main tank.

Your Step-by-Step Guide: How to Can Chinese Money Plant Grow in Aquarium Successfully?

Alright, your plant is clean and ready! Now for the fun part: placing it in the aquarium. There are several fantastic methods to achieve that perfect emergent growth. Here are a few of the most popular and effective techniques.

Method 1: The Hang-on-the-Back (HOB) Planter

This is one of the easiest and most popular methods, perfect for beginners. You can buy specialized aquatic plant holders that hang on the rim of your tank. Many people also get creative and DIY a solution using a small plastic shower caddy with suction cups or a soap dish with drainage holes.

Simply place the plant’s roots through the holes of the container, allowing them to dangle freely into the water. You can add some clay pebbles (leca) or coarse gravel to the container to help hold the plant upright.

Method 2: The Suction Cup Planter

Similar to the HOB method, you can find small plastic or glass pots with suction cups that attach to the inside glass of your aquarium. You position the planter so the rim is just above the waterline.

Place your Pilea into the pot, again using some aquarium-safe gravel or leca to stabilize it. This gives you more flexibility on placement and can create a really beautiful, integrated look.

Method 3: The DIY Lid or Light Fixture Method

If you’re a bit more hands-on, you can modify your aquarium lid. By carefully cutting a hole just large enough for the plant’s stem, you can rest the base of the plant on the lid, letting the roots hang down. You can also use airline tubing holders or clips on your light fixture to gently hold the stem in place.

The key for all these methods is the same: roots in the water, leaves in the air.

Long-Term Care Guide: Best Practices for a Healthy Setup

Once your plant is settled, you’re on your way to a beautiful setup. This complete can chinese money plant grow in aquarium care guide will help you keep it thriving for years to come.

Lighting Requirements

Your Pilea’s leaves need bright, indirect sunlight to photosynthesize effectively. An aquarium light is designed to penetrate water and won’t be sufficient for the leaves above the tank. Position your aquarium in a room that gets good ambient light, but avoid direct, scorching sun which can burn the leaves.

Nutrient Needs

Your fish will provide a steady supply of nitrates, but your plant may occasionally need more. If you notice the leaves starting to turn yellow (especially older leaves), it might be a sign of a nutrient deficiency. You can supplement with a comprehensive, aquarium-safe liquid fertilizer. Always dose carefully according to the instructions to protect your fish.

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Pruning and Maintenance

Just like any houseplant, a little tidying up is beneficial. Snip off any yellow or dying leaves close to the main stem to encourage new growth. The roots in the water will grow long and can be trimmed back if they become too dense, though many fish enjoy the cover they provide.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems with Chinese Money Plant in an Aquarium

Even with the best care, you might run into a small issue. Don’t worry! Here’s a quick look at some common problems with can chinese money plant grow in aquarium setups and how to fix them.

Yellowing Leaves

This is the most common issue. If it’s the lower, older leaves, it’s often natural shedding. If multiple leaves are yellowing, it’s likely a lack of nutrients (see above) or not enough light for the foliage.

Root Rot

Though the roots are in water, they still need oxygen. Good water circulation from your filter is usually enough to prevent this. If you notice roots turning black and mushy, they are rotting. Trim them off immediately with sterile scissors and assess your tank’s water flow.

Droopy or Wilting Leaves

This can be a sign of shock right after you’ve moved it. Give it a week or two to adjust. If it persists, ensure the base of the stem and the crown of the plant are not sitting in the water, as this can cause the main stem to rot.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Chinese Money Plants in Aquariums

Is Pilea peperomioides toxic to fish?

No, the Chinese Money Plant is widely considered non-toxic and safe for all common aquarium fish, shrimp, and snails. Your aquatic pets will be perfectly fine cohabitating with its roots.

Can I fully submerge my Chinese Money Plant?

This is a question worth repeating: absolutely not. The leaves and stems are not adapted for underwater life and will rot away, fouling your water and killing the plant. It must be grown with its leaves out of the water.

Do I need a special filter or light?

No special filter is needed; in fact, the plant acts as a supplemental filter! For lighting, your standard aquarium light is for the tank inhabitants. The plant itself needs a separate, external light source like a bright window or a nearby lamp.

How quickly will my Chinese Money Plant grow in the aquarium?

You may be surprised! With a constant supply of water and nitrate-rich nutrients from fish waste, many gardeners find their Pilea grows much faster and more vigorously in an aquarium than it ever did in a pot of soil.

Go Forth and Grow!

There you have it—everything you need to confidently answer “can chinese money plant grow in aquarium” with a resounding “yes!” By following these can chinese money plant grow in aquarium tips, you’re not just adding a plant to a fish tank; you’re creating a dynamic, living piece of art.

It’s a project that is both beautiful and beneficial, providing a healthier environment for your fish and a stunning new way to display one of our favorite houseplants. Don’t be afraid to experiment with placement and technique. That’s the joy of gardening, after all.

Happy growing, and enjoy your beautiful new aquascape!

Rimon Chowdhury
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