INSIDE : After your Chinese Money Plant makes little pups, learn how to Propagate Pilea. Follow these easy steps on how to separate the plant pup from it’s mother and then how to replant the Pilea plant once propagated. Growing tons of pilea will be a cinch with these tips.

This post has been republished since it’s original date of June 2019.

This post may contain affiliate links. See full disclosure here.

Ah, Pilea Peperomioides… it is still my favorite indoor plant! I have two quite mature Pilea and two pups. I wrote all about Pilea or Chinese Money plant basic care and tips last year. And I have had so many people ask me where to buy them or how they could grow more.

So today, I am sharing my tips for how to Propagate Pilea, so that you can grow those little pups and have as many Pilea friends as possible!

You might also be interested in my Plant Crafts posts.

How do you start to grow Pilea pups?

A healthy Pilea should regularly produce little pups. The pups typically pop up from the soil and are ready to use once they have a few leaves of their own.

My mature Pilea plants have both made numerous pups.

How do you know when it’s time to separate pilea pups from their mother plant?

Wait a little bit of time before you thinking about removing your pilea pups. Be patient and make sure they are big enough to make it on their own. I would suggest waiting until the pups are about 2-3″ tall.

And the longer you leave your new pups growing, the stronger and better odds you will have at having a successful new plant. You can take baby cuttings of your Pilea any time of year, but the best period is spring when the plant has the most energy and is actively growing.

How do you separate pilea pups?

Once your Pilea babies are around 2-3″ tall, you can start removing them from the mother plant. It is important to not pull or rip your baby from the mother plant.

Carefully, dig out soil from around the pup about an inch or so deep. Keep going until you get to the root because you want to make sure you have roots coming with your new pup.

Then, using a sharp knife (I used a utility knife on mine) cut the baby away from the mother plant.

Looking for more helpful tips like this?  You would definitely enjoy my Happy Houseplants ebook then!  Check it out here for more info.

How To Propagate Pilea

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $0

After your Chinese Money Plant makes little pups, learn how to Propagate Pilea. Follow these easy steps on how to separate the plant pup from it’s mother and then how to replant the Pilea plant once propagated. Growing tons of pilea will be a cinch with these tips.

Materials

Mature Pilea Plant

Instructions

A healthy Pilea should regularly produce little pups. The pups typically pop up from the soil and are ready to use once they have a few leaves of their own and are about 2-3″ tall.
Carefully, dig out soil from around the pup about an inch or so deep. Keep going until you get to the root because you want to make sure you have roots coming with your new pup.
Then, using a sharp knife (I used a utility knife on mine) cut the baby away from the mother plant.
The little pups should already have a small root system of their own. You can either plant the pup directly into a new small pot with soil or you can put it in water to help grow the roots out a little more.
Fill your pot with a mix of mostly soil and a small scoop of perlite. I use perlite found at my local nursery store.
If you are going straight into soil, simply plant into a smaller pot of their own and keep the soil lightly moist for a few days as the plant gets adjusted.
Enjoy!

How to grow roots on your baby Pilea pup

The little pups should already have a small root system of their own. You can either plant the pup directly into a new small pot with soil or you can put it in water to help grow the roots out a little more.

If you are going straight into soil, simply plant into a smaller pot of their own and keep the soil lightly moist.

If you are growing more roots in water, keep the plant’s root in the water for about one to two weeks. Make sure you don’t have any of the leaves in the water, however. Change the water or refill as it evaporates and you should start to see new little roots growing before long.

What type of soil should I repot my baby Pileas in?

First of all, make sure to give your new plants the proper drainage they require. I always plant my plants in pots with drainage holes. And I additionally fill the bottom of my pot with small rocks.

Fill your pot with a mix of mostly soil and a small scoop of perlite. I found perlite at my local nursery store. Perlite helps loosen heavy soils, prevents compaction and promotes root growth. Mix the soil and perlite together and you are ready to plant your little pup.

What type of Pilea pot should I use?

First of all, make sure to give your new plants the proper drainage they require. I always plant my plants in pots with drainage holes. And I additionally fill the bottom of my pot with small rocks.

The pot you use for your new pilea shouldn’t be too large. They like to feel tight in their pots, so if you are replanting a little pilea pup, a pot that is just 3 or 4″ would be ideal for it.

The move to their own pot might slightly shock the baby pilea but because they already have a root system they usually immediately start growing. And after about 4-6 weeks, they are anchored in their soil and will begin to sprout new leaves of their own.

Once you Propagate Pilea and get them into their new pots, you will be well on your way to having healthy thriving new Pilea peperomioides plants! And if you are looking to get your first Pilea then you can check your local nursery or Amazon now sells them.