The Pilea Peperomioides or Chinese Money Plant is the perfect addition to any home. It is easy to take care of, it provides something beautiful no matter which room you place it in, and it is often thought to bring in good luck, good fortune, and good health when you follow the rules of feng shui when placing it. Picking the right soil to use with your money plant will help it thrive and do even better.
When creating the perfect soil for your Pilea Peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant), keeping the acidity of the soil near 7.0, picking a soil with some texture and that is loamy, and allowing for the right amount of drainage so the plant won’t develope root rot are all important.
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In this article, we will take a look at what a Pilea Peperomioides is, how to make some of your own soil if you want to ensure it is perfect for your plant and some of the important factors that must be found in any soil to ensure your money plant will grow and flourish.
What Is the Pilea Peperomioides?
First, we need to start with a little introduction to the Pilea Peperomioides or Chinese Money Plant. This is basically a flowering plant that does well in many homes. When placed in the right location, it is thought to bring good luck, good fortune, and good health to your home.
Even though it comes from China, this is a hardy plant that can handle some of the colder temperatures as well. It does just fine in Zone 10, although most people who own it decide to keep it as a houseplant.
The Chinese Money Plant got its name thanks to its leaves, which are dark green and round, almost like a coin. These coin leaves are not very big either, coming in at only 4 inches in diameter. If you choose to grow this plant outside, it can bloom with some gorgeous flowers, though this seldom happens when it is grown inside.
How to Make Your Own Soil
Pilea Peperomioides will do well in most types of soil. However, creating your own soil will ensure that you provide the plant with just the right amount of nutrition and drainage.
Step 1: A Simple Pilea Peperomioides Soil Recipe
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Below you will find ingredients and percentages to help you create a high quality soil for your Pilea Peperomioides :
60%coco coir (a more sustainable and ph neutral alternative to peat moss)20%pumice (Aids in drainage and aeration of soil)10%worm castings (or better known as worm poop, natural fertilizer)5%orchid bark (Aids in drainage)5%horticulture charcoal (Aids in drainage)
- all ingredients can be found at Amazon by clicking the affiliate links above.
Step 2: Mixing It Together
Now lets combine the ingredients.
Typically the coco coir (coconut fiber) comes in a compressed brick that needs to be hydrated with some warm water. Once hydrated, simply break it up and add the other ingredients.
Depending on whether you are an over waterer or under waterer, you can adjust the percentage of pumice, orchid bark and charcoal to fit your watering style. Increase the percentages if you tend to overwater and decrease the percentages if you typically find yourself underwatering.
The percentages above aren’t set in stone but are a good starting point for you.
The Best Types of Soil
Pilea Peperomioides is not too particular when it comes to the soil but you need to make sure that its a well draining one. Some of the things to consider when creating your own soil:
The Acidity of the Soil
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The pH levels of your plant will be important because this will determine whether they grow or not. If the pH range is off for your plant, then the roots will struggle to get all the nutrients that they need, and they will not grow that well.
For most plants, including Pilea Peperomioides, the ideal range is as close to neutral as possible. Most plants do well between 6.0 to 7.5, though this plant likes to be closer to 7.0 if possible. You should check the pH levels on a regular basis to make sure your plants get the right acidity they need to thrive.
The Type of Soil
Your money plant will prefer a fertile and loamy soil if possible. It is possible to improve the fertility and the texture of pretty much any type of soil if you work in some compost or worm castings before planting.
The Moisture Level of the Soil
Once you have given the plant time to establish itself and start growing, you do not need to stick with the watering as much as before. Pilea Peperomiods do not like sitting on wet soil. This will lead to root rot, which will kill your money plant. The best way to check moisture level is to put your finger an inch or two into the soil. If your finger is still dry, then it is time to water. If the finger is wet, this is a sign the plant has plenty.
Watering your Pilea Peperomioides
Watering this plant is pretty simple. You will need to bring out a watering can and slowly soak the area. You want to do this thoroughly and drain out the bottom of your pot. Make sure and remove any excess water.
You should check on your money plant every few days. This will give you a good idea of whether the plant is doing well or if it needs more water. When you notice droopy leaves or browning around the edges, the first thing you should check is whether your plant is getting enough water.
Final Thoughts
Your Pilea Peperomioides is a fairly easy plant to grow. Even without perfect conditions, it will have the ability to grow strong and look beautiful in any setting. However, if you take the time to provide it with a high quality soil, you will find that your plant will be much happier for it.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Recipe