Chinese Money Plant Vs Money Plant – Which Lucky Plant Is Right For

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Ever walked into a plant shop, seen two gorgeous green plants both hinting at fortune, and felt a little bit confused? You’re not alone, my friend. The world of houseplants is full of charming but sometimes confusing nicknames, and the “money plant” is a classic example.

You see a plant with perfectly round, coin-like leaves and hear it’s a Money Plant. Then, you spot a lush, vining plant with heart-shaped leaves that everyone also calls a Money Plant. What gives?

I promise, by the end of this guide, you’ll be able to spot the difference from a mile away. We’re going to clear up the great chinese money plant vs money plant debate once and for all. We’ll dive deep into their unique looks, their very different care needs, and the best ways to help each one thrive.

So, grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let’s unlock the secrets to choosing and growing your perfect leafy companion. You’ll soon be an expert on both!

Meet the Contenders: A Quick Introduction

Before we pit them against each other, let’s get properly acquainted with our two green celebrities. Though they share a prosperous nickname, they come from completely different plant families and have their own unique personalities.

The Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

This is the plant with those iconic, perfectly round leaves that look like little green coins or pancakes. It’s often called the Pancake Plant, UFO Plant, or Friendship Plant, and for good reason! It’s a social little plant that readily produces babies, or “pups,” that are easy to share with friends.

Originally from the Yunnan province of China, the Pilea has a charming, almost cartoonish appearance. Its leaves are attached to the stem by a long, delicate petiole right in the center, giving it that signature floating-disc look. It’s a true showstopper and a favorite on social media.

The Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum)

This is the plant most people globally recognize as the classic Money Plant. It’s also known as Pothos, Golden Pothos, or Devil’s Ivy (because it’s so hard to kill!). This plant is a hardworking, vining champion native to Southeast Asia.

Its leaves are typically heart-shaped and can be solid green or beautifully variegated with splashes of yellow, cream, or white. Pothos is a fantastic trailer for hanging baskets or a determined climber if you give it a moss pole to grab onto. It’s the definition of a resilient and rewarding houseplant.

The Visual Showdown: A Chinese Money Plant vs Money Plant Guide to Identification

Okay, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. When you have both plants side-by-side, the differences become crystal clear. This chinese money plant vs money plant guide will turn you into a plant identification pro.

H3: Leaf Shape and Texture

The most obvious giveaway is the leaves. Think of it this way:

  • Chinese Money Plant (Pilea): Its leaves are strikingly circular, flat, and smooth, resembling a coin. The petiole (leaf stalk) connects directly to the center of the leaf’s underside, which is quite unique.
  • Money Plant (Pothos): Its leaves are distinctly heart-shaped with a pointed tip. They have a slightly waxy texture and the petiole connects at the base of the heart shape, not the center.

H3: Growth Habit and Stems

How the plant grows tells you everything you need to know.

The Chinese Money Plant grows upwards from a central, woody stem. As it matures, it gets taller and drops its lower leaves, sometimes looking a bit like a miniature tree. It reproduces by sending up small “pups” from its root system, which pop up in the soil around the mother plant.

The Money Plant, on the other hand, is a classic vine. It sends out long, trailing stems that will happily cascade down a bookshelf or climb up a trellis. It doesn’t produce pups from the soil; instead, it grows longer and can be propagated from stem cuttings.

H3: Size and Structure

A Pilea is generally a more compact, self-contained plant. It typically grows to about 12 inches tall and forms a neat, bushy shape. It’s perfect for a tabletop or a bright corner.

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A Pothos has ambitions of taking over your room! Its vines can easily grow to be 10 feet long or even longer indoors, making it an incredible statement plant for hanging baskets or high shelves.

The Ultimate Care Guide: How to Keep Both Plants Happy

Now that you can tell them apart, let’s talk about care. While both are considered beginner-friendly, their needs are different. Following this chinese money plant vs money plant care guide will ensure both your plants flourish.

H3: Lighting Needs: Sun-Kissed or Shade-Lover?

Light is food for plants, but they have different appetites!

Your Pilea craves bright, indirect sunlight. Think of a spot near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window. Direct, scorching sun will burn its delicate leaves, so be careful!

Your Pothos is the champion of adaptability. It can tolerate low light conditions (though its growth will be slower and variegation may fade) all the way up to bright, indirect light. It’s the perfect plant for that shadier corner where nothing else seems to grow.

H3: Watering Wisdom: The Thirst Test

Overwatering is the number one mistake new plant parents make. Don’t worry—these plants will tell you what they need.

For the Chinese Money Plant, it’s best to let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out completely between waterings. It’s more susceptible to root rot, so it’s always better to underwater slightly than to overwater. If its leaves start to droop a little, that’s a good sign it’s thirsty.

The Money Plant (Pothos) is incredibly forgiving. Let the soil dry out significantly between waterings. Its leaves will visibly droop when it’s thirsty, and they’ll perk right back up within a few hours of getting a drink. It’s a great visual cue!

H3: Soil and Feeding: The Perfect Diet

A good foundation is key. Both plants thrive in a standard, well-draining indoor potting mix. Adding a bit of perlite or orchid bark can improve aeration and prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged, which is one of the best chinese money plant vs money plant best practices.

During the spring and summer growing season, feed them with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every 4-6 weeks. Cut back on feeding during the fall and winter when their growth naturally slows down.

Propagation Power: Sharing the Wealth

One of the greatest joys of gardening is making more plants for free! Both of these are incredibly easy to propagate, but the methods are completely different.

H3: Propagating the Chinese Money Plant (Pilea)

This is where the “Friendship Plant” nickname comes in. Your Pilea will do most of the work for you!

  1. Wait for small plantlets, or “pups,” to appear in the soil around the base of the mother plant. Let them grow until they are at least 2-3 inches tall.
  2. Gently dig around the base of the pup to locate the root connecting it to the main plant.
  3. Use a clean, sharp knife or pair of scissors to sever the connecting root. Try to get a little bit of the root system with the pup.
  4. Plant your new baby Pilea in its own small pot with fresh soil, water it, and you’re done!

H3: Propagating the Money Plant (Pothos)

Propagating Pothos is a classic beginner’s project and so satisfying.

  1. Find a healthy vine on your plant. Using clean scissors, take a cutting that is 4-6 inches long. Make sure your cutting has at least 2-3 leaves and a few nodes (the little brown bumps on the stem where leaves grow from).
  2. You can remove the lowest leaf to expose a node.
  3. Place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.
  4. Put the jar in a spot with bright, indirect light and change the water weekly. In a few weeks, you’ll see roots start to grow!
  5. Once the roots are an inch or two long, you can plant your new Pothos in soil.

Common Problems with Chinese Money Plant vs Money Plant (and How to Fix Them!)

Even the hardiest plants can have an off day. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide to some common problems with chinese money plant vs money plant.

H3: Why Are My Pilea’s Leaves Curling or Drooping?

Leaf curling on a Pilea is usually a sign of stress. The inward curl (cupping) can be caused by too much direct light or heat. An outward curl or general drooping is often a sign of thirst. Check your watering schedule and light conditions, and your plant should bounce back.

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H3: Why Are My Pothos’ Leaves Turning Yellow?

The most common culprit for yellowing Pothos leaves is overwatering. The soil is staying wet for too long, suffocating the roots. Always check the soil moisture before watering again. If it’s just one or two older leaves at the base of the vine yellowing and falling off, that’s often just the plant’s natural life cycle.

H3: Dealing with Pests

Both plants can occasionally attract common houseplant pests like spider mites or mealybugs. The best defense is a healthy plant! Inspect your plants regularly. If you see pests, you can often treat them with a simple, eco-friendly solution like wiping the leaves with a cloth dipped in soapy water or using a commercial insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.

The Eco-Friendly Gardener: Sustainable Practices for Your Plants

Part of being a great gardener is caring for our planet, too. Embracing sustainable chinese money plant vs money plant practices is easy and rewarding.

  • Choose Peat-Free Soil: Peat bogs are vital ecosystems. Look for potting mixes that use sustainable alternatives like coco coir.
  • Water Wisely: Water your plants in the morning to reduce evaporation. Consider bottom-watering (placing the pot in a tray of water) to let the roots drink what they need, which prevents water waste.
  • Propagate and Share: Instead of buying new plants, propagate the ones you have! Sharing cuttings with friends is a wonderful, eco-friendly way to spread the green joy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese Money Plant vs Money Plant

Are both plants toxic to pets?

This is a crucial distinction! The Chinese Money Plant (Pilea) is non-toxic and safe for homes with curious cats and dogs. However, the Money Plant (Pothos) is toxic if ingested and can cause irritation and vomiting in pets, so it should be kept out of their reach.

Which plant is easier for a total beginner?

While both are excellent starter plants, the Pothos (Money Plant) is famously, almost comically, forgiving. It tolerates a wide range of conditions and will quickly tell you when it’s thirsty. It’s the perfect plant to build your confidence.

Do these plants actually bring good luck or money?

According to folklore, both plants are thought to bring good fortune, prosperity, and positive energy. While we can’t guarantee they’ll make you rich, the real benefit is the joy and sense of accomplishment you get from nurturing them. That’s a different kind of wealth!

Can I grow a Chinese Money Plant and a Money Plant together?

You can certainly have them in the same room, but they should be in separate pots. Their different growth habits (upright vs. vining) and watering needs mean they wouldn’t be happy sharing the same soil. Give each its own space to shine!

So, Which Lucky Plant Will You Choose?

We’ve explored the key differences, from the Pilea’s coin-shaped leaves and upright stance to the Pothos’ heart-shaped foliage and trailing vines. We’ve covered their unique care needs, propagation methods, and how to troubleshoot common issues.

The choice between the chinese money plant vs money plant ultimately comes down to your space and your personal style. Do you love the quirky, modern look of the Pilea? Or does the lush, jungle-like vibe of a Pothos call to you?

Don’t worry—there’s no wrong answer here! Both are fantastic, rewarding plants that will bring a touch of green magic to your home. Whichever you choose, you’re not just getting a plant; you’re starting a wonderful journey.

Happy planting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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