Buying guide
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea) for Sale
What to check and where to buy
By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated · How we research · Report an error
Quick verdict
- Buy it if you can give it bright indirect light; some gentle direct sun is fine.
- Difficulty: Easy · Pets: Pilea peperomioides is not on the ASPCA list (other Pilea species are listed as non-toxic); ask your vet if unsure
- Size to buy: A small pot is the usual buy; its size at maturity is About 12 in tall and wide.
- Where to buy: 3 shops we checked list it in stock (7 Nov 2026): Gabriella Plants, Rooted (Hey Rooted), Lively Root. Amazon also returns live-plant search results.
Quick picks shop listing checked 7 Nov 2026
Compare all 3 shops ↓ · Care guide
Amazon links open an Amazon search, not a specific product we have tested; prices and sellers vary. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
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.
Plant profile
- Light
- Bright indirect light; some gentle direct sun is fine
- Water
- When the top half of the soil is dry; leaves soften and droop slightly when thirsty
- Humidity
- Average
- Pets
- Pilea peperomioides is not on the ASPCA list (other Pilea species are listed as non-toxic); ask your vet if unsure [ASPCA]
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Size
- About 12 in tall and wide
- Growth
- Moderate; makes pups
Compare shops that list a chinese money plant
In stock on 7 Nov 2026, cheapest listing per shop. Shops with 100+ independent reviews first, then by price. Prices change daily; the shop's checkout wins.
| Shop | Listing we found | From | Guarantee | Shipping | Winter shipping | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriella Plants | Pilea peperomioides | $12.99 | Replaced or refunded if damaged; report within 10 days | At checkout | Avoids weekend transit | View at Gabriella Plants |
| Rooted (Hey Rooted) | Chinese Money Plant | $29.00 | 30-day guarantee | Free over $95 | Winter Packaging add-on (needed for cold-damage cover) | View at Rooted (Hey Rooted) |
| Lively Root | Chinese Money Plant | $43.00 | 30-day guarantee | $9 flat standard | Thermal sleeve; may hold orders | View at Lively Root |
Ordering when it is cold? Read buying plants online in winter. Policy terms from each shop's own pages; compare policies. We may earn a commission from some links; it never decides what we list or the order. Disclosure.
What size to buy, and what it costs right now
Price range for the plant in its basic grow pot, from in-stock listings on 7 Nov 2026. Shops name sizes differently, so check the pot diameter and height on the listing.
| Size | What it usually means | Price range | Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | About 2 to 4 inch nursery pot; tabletop or shelf | $29–$43 | 2 listings at 2 shops |
| Medium | About 5 to 6 inch pot or 1 gallon; desk or side table | $39–$58 | 2 listings at 2 shops |
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Ready to buy a chinese money plant? A shop we verified lists it, or search Amazon.
Amazon links open an Amazon search, not a specific product we have tested; prices and sellers vary. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
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.
Size and age buying guide
| Size | What you usually get | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Tabletop / shelf | Usually a 4-6 in nursery pot. | Cheapest way in; expect a long wait to reach a large size. |
Younger or older plant? A younger, smaller plant costs less and settles in easily; an older, larger plant gives you the look straight away but costs more to buy and ship. With a moderate; makes pups growth rate and a mature size of About 12 in tall and wide, buy close to the size you want.
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.
What to check on arrival
- Photograph the box and the plant before and while you unpack; most guarantees ask for photos.
- Leaves and stems: firm, evenly colored leaves; no snapped stems or mushy tissue at the soil line.
- Soil: not sour-smelling or waterlogged.
- Pests: no webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
- Size: compare the pot size and height with the listing you ordered.
- Report problems quickly under the shop’s guarantee.
Guarantee terms of the shops that list it, from their own policy pages (checked 21 Oct 2026):
- Rooted (Hey Rooted): 30 Day Happiness Guarantee (site banner).
Problems that often show up after delivery:
- 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
- Unbox right away and photograph any damage; most guarantees need photos within a set window.
- Water only if the soil is dry; many plants arrive already moist.
- Give it bright indirect light, but avoid harsh direct sun for a few days.
- Keep it away from other plants for one to two weeks in case of pests.
- 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 6 Nov 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
Comparing shops in general? See the best places to buy plants online. We list a shop only after confirming it currently lists this plant (checked 7 Nov 2026). Stock changes daily. We may earn a commission from some links; it never decides what we list. Disclosure.
Rooted (Hey Rooted)
Listing we found: Chinese Money Plant (in stock 7 Nov 2026)
Houseplant shop with pet-friendly, low-light, easy-care and size-based collections, bundles and subscriptions. Policy notes: a 30-day arrival guarantee; Free shipping on orders $95+.
What customers say: Good reports on packing and less common plants, but recent winter and service complaints. Read the summary
Lively Root
Listing we found: Chinese Money Plant (in stock 7 Nov 2026)
Wide houseplant range in multiple sizes, with a plant finder and corporate gifting. Policy notes: 30-day guarantee; shipping: $9 flat standard; winter: Thermal sleeve; may hold orders.
Gabriella Plants
Listing we found: Pilea peperomioides (in stock 7 Nov 2026)
Texas-based shop known for rare aroids and variegated plants. Policy notes: Replaced or refunded if damaged; report within 10 days; shipping: At checkout; winter: Avoids weekend transit.
Compare shipping and guarantee terms side by side in Online plant shop policies compared.
Ready to buy a chinese money plant? A shop we verified lists it, or search Amazon.
Amazon links open an Amazon search, not a specific product we have tested; prices and sellers vary. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
FAQ: buying a chinese money plant online
Where can I buy a chinese money plant online?
We confirmed that Rooted (Hey Rooted) lists a chinese money plant (checked 21 Oct 2026). Compare them in the table on this page. Amazon search results also include live plants from various sellers.
What size chinese money plant should I buy?
A small pot is the usual buy; its size at maturity is About 12 in tall and wide. Online shops sell by nursery pot diameter, and height varies within one pot size, so read the listed height too.
Is a chinese money plant safe for cats and dogs?
Pilea peperomioides is not on the ASPCA list (other Pilea species are listed as non-toxic); ask your vet if unsure. Check the ASPCA plant list and ask your vet if a pet chews it.
Is a chinese money plant easy to care for?
Our care guide rates it easy. It needs bright indirect light; some gentle direct sun is fine; water when the top half of the soil is dry; leaves soften and droop slightly when thirsty. Humidity: average.
What should I check when my chinese money plant arrives?
Photograph the box and plant as you unpack, check for firm leaves, unbroken stems, soil that is not waterlogged and no pests under the leaves, then report any problem to the shop quickly, as guarantees have short windows.
When is the best time to order a chinese money plant online?
Order in mild weather where you can. In winter, choose a shop that adds heat packs or holds shipments in freezing weather; in summer, avoid shipments that sit in a hot truck over a long weekend.
Does Plantshop.com sell plants?
No. We are an independent buying guide; we do not sell plants or handle orders. We link to shops and may earn a commission on some links, which never decides what we list.
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