Buying guide

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea) for Sale: What to Check and Where to Buy

By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated 21 Oct 2026 · How we research · Report an error

Round, pancake-shaped leaves on long stems make the Chinese money plant (also called pilea, UFO plant or pancake plant) instantly recognizable. A healthy plant sends up baby plants from the soil, which is why owners call it the friendship plant.

Is a chinese money plant right for you?

It suits you if you can give it bright indirect light; some gentle direct sun is fine and you are happy to water when the top half of the soil is dry; leaves soften and droop slightly when thirsty. Difficulty: Easy. Pilea peperomioides is not on the ASPCA list (other Pilea species are listed as non-toxic); ask your vet if unsure. Not sure? Try the Plant Finder.

Similar plants to consider: Monstera, Pothos, Snake Plant, ZZ Plant.

Sizes and what you will receive

Online shops sell plants by nursery pot diameter: about 4 in (small, shelf), 6 in (desk or table), 8-10 in (small floor plant) and 12 in and up (floor statement). Height varies a lot within one pot size, so read the listed height too. A mature chinese money plant can reach About 12 in tall and wide and growth is moderate; makes pups, so a smaller plant will take time to fill out; buy closer to the size you want.

What to check when buying: a healthy chinese money plant

• Firm, evenly colored leaves with no mushy stems at the soil line.
• Soil that is not sour-smelling or waterlogged when it arrives.
• No webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
• Roots, if you peek, that are pale and firm rather than brown and soft.

Problems to know about before buying:

• Leaning, leggy stem: Not enough light or not rotated. Rotate weekly; a tall stem can be cut and re-rooted.
• Drooping, yellow lower leaves: Usually overwatering or a pot that is too big.
• Cupped leaves: Often a sign it wants more light.

Prices

We do not quote prices until we have checked them. They change with pot size, season and sales. To compare fairly, compare the same pot size and check whether a decorative pot and shipping are included.

Shipping and seasonal risks

Tropical plants like this one suffer below about 50°F (10°C). In winter, order from a shop that adds heat packs or holds shipments in freezing weather, and bring the box inside as soon as it arrives. Summer heat in a delivery truck can also damage plants, so avoid long weekends in transit.

Your first week after delivery

1. Unbox right away and photograph any damage; most guarantees need photos within a set window.
2. Water only if the soil is dry; many plants arrive already moist.
3. Give it bright indirect light, but avoid harsh direct sun for a few days.
4. Keep it away from other plants for one to two weeks in case of pests.
5. Wait two to four weeks before repotting. Full care guide: Chinese Money Plant care.

What growers on Reddit say

Short quotes from public threads, linked to the source (checked 21 Oct 2026). Individual experiences, not a verdict.

"They love light, light and more light!" u/fenncullen, r/PileaPeperomioides, Dec 2024, source

"I let mine dry out 2/3 of the way into the pot before giving it a good drench." u/abrickinthegrey, r/houseplants, Mar 2025, source

Where to buy a chinese money plant online, and why

We list a shop only after confirming it currently lists this plant (checked 21 Oct 2026). Stock changes daily. We may earn a commission from some links; it never decides what we list. Disclosure.

Compare shipping and guarantee terms side by side in Online plant shop policies compared.