The Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) is a popular houseplant recognized for its distinct, coin-shaped foliage. This resilient plant can thrive in water, a method often used for propagation but also adapted for long-term display. Moving the Pilea from soil to a purely aquatic environment requires specific adjustments to ensure its health.
Establishing Chinese Money Plant Cuttings in Water
The preferred method for starting a Pilea in water is by taking a cutting, typically a small offset known as a pup. These pups sprout from the parent plant’s rhizome or main stem base. Carefully separate the offset using a clean, sharp knife or scissors, ensuring a small portion of the main stem or root structure remains attached for successful rooting.
You can also use a stem cutting, though it is important to include a small section of the main stem, as roots will not reliably grow from just the leaf and petiole (leaf stalk). Place the cutting into a clear glass vessel, submerging the base of the stem while keeping all foliage above the water line. While tap water is generally acceptable, allowing it to sit overnight before use helps dissipate any chlorine that could potentially stress the new cutting.
Position the vessel in a location that receives bright, indirect light, which encourages root development without scorching the delicate new growth. Root systems typically begin to emerge within two weeks, though this timeline can vary based on ambient temperature and light levels. The cutting can remain in the water if proper nutrient and maintenance schedules are followed, or it is ready to be transferred to soil when the roots are approximately one to two inches long.
Nutrient Requirements for Long-Term Water Growth
While a Pilea cutting survives in plain water temporarily, long-term display necessitates the regular addition of specialized nutrients. Water lacks the macro and micronutrients required for sustained growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). Water roots are structurally different from soil roots, making them highly effective at absorbing dissolved nutrients.
Because water roots absorb nutrients efficiently, use a highly diluted water-soluble fertilizer to prevent chemical burn. A balanced NPK ratio (e.g., 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) is appropriate when applied at one-quarter to one-half the strength recommended for soil plants. During the active growing season (spring through summer), applying this diluted nutrient solution once a month supports healthy foliage and root development.
Maintenance requires a full water change every one to two weeks, not merely topping off the existing water. This routine is important because the plant uses up dissolved oxygen, and frequent changes re-oxygenate the environment, preventing stagnant or anaerobic conditions. Changing the water also removes waste products and helps maintain a balanced concentration of added nutrients.
Preventing Common Problems in Water Culture
The aquatic environment presents a unique set of challenges that differ from those encountered in soil-based gardening. One of the most common issues is the formation of algae, which thrives in water exposed to light and competes with the plant for dissolved oxygen and nutrients. To mitigate this, consider using an opaque or dark-colored vessel, which blocks light from reaching the water and roots.
Mineral and salt buildup occurs on the roots and vessel walls as water evaporates and fertilizer is added. Periodically flushing the plant with plain, chlorine-dissipated water washes away these deposits, preventing salt concentration that can damage root tips. This practice is part of the routine water change.
The most serious risk in water culture is the development of anaerobic conditions, which can lead to a form of root rot caused by a lack of oxygen. Frequent, complete water changes are the primary defense against this problem, as they replenish the oxygen supply. If the water becomes cloudy or develops an odor, it signals a lack of oxygen and the immediate need for a full water replacement.