Houseplants go through a seasonal shift come September, as the growing season wraps up and they prepare for winter dormancy. Chinese money plants (Pilea peperomioides) are no different and come with their own set of needs this month.
If you grow a Chinese money plant, the good news is September tasks aren't hard to do. It's all about moving your plant back indoors (if it spent summer in the garden), adjusting watering to avoid issues like root rot, and rotating it so it copes with lower light levels in fall. You can even propagate your Chinese money plant this month if it has 'pups.'
Everything you need to carry out this essential care is in our houseplant care kit collection. So, with your Fiskars micro-tip pruning snips from Lowe's to hand, here's what to do with a Chinese money plant in September.
1. Move It Back Indoors
It's beneficial to place houseplants outdoors in summer, allowing them to soak up sun, warmth, and the breeze. But, when temperatures start to turn in September, it's important to move houseplants back indoors so they aren't caught in the cold.
'Temperatures below 50°F cause die back. You’ll want to keep it safe as temperatures dip,' explains Juliet Howe, award-winning horticulturist and founder of Twigs Design.
When preventing pests when moving houseplants back indoors, remember to check underneath foliage. I like to use houseplant dusting gloves (like these from Amazon) to give foliage a wipe clean.
Juliet Howe is an award-winning horticulturist and the founder of Twigs Design. For more than two decades she has helped beautify the homes, gardens, and communities of Fairfield County, CT.
2. Reduce Watering
One of the most important parts of fall houseplant care is adjusting watering frequency.
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'Cooler days with less light, bring slower growth and less water consumption. Now is the time to stop watering on a schedule and water only when needed,' says Juliet.
Watering too frequently where the soil is taking longer to dry out can make your Chinese money plant susceptible to houseplant root rot and fungal issues.
'A good way to know when to water is to touch the soil. If the soil is dry up to the knuckle, it is time to water. Alternatively, try the bottom watering technique. When the soil is dry down to the bottom of the pot and the leaves have begun to droop slightly, place the plant in a saucer, pan or even a sink of water for about 30 minutes or until the soil is moist up to the top, then remove it from the water,' Juliet advises.
I like to use my Amazon soil moisture meter to check my houseplants' soil every time before watering.
3. Protect From Drafts
When choosing where to place your Chinese money plant for fall and winter, consider two things: light and temperature.
'A place with abundant, indirect light is ideal, like a south or southeast facing window,' says Juliet.
'Be careful of drafty windows that will expose your plant to freezing temperatures or radiators that will blast it with hot, dry air,' she adds.
Ideally, your Chinese money plant should receive 6-8 hours of bright light. You can use this grow light from Walmart to supplement light if needed.
Likewise, its ideal temperature is 60-75°F, but in fall and winter you should focus on avoiding freezing temps, as Juliet advises. This could cause browning foliage, drooping, and leaf drop.
This simple room thermometer from Walmart can help keep an eye on temperatures for your Chinese money plant.
4. Rotate Weekly
Houseplant rotation is one of the best things you can practice for your indoor plants in fall and winter.
'Rotate the pot once a week so the plant grows evenly,' Juliet describes.
By rotating your Chinese money plant's pot once a week, you ensure it receives equal exposure and encourages a more symmetrical silhouette.
It can help avoid leggy growth in September and beyond, strengthen your plant, and maintain a much more aesthetic shape.
A plant caddy (this one from Amazon has an integrated water saucer) makes it much more convenient to turn the pot regularly.
5. Propagate Pups
September is a good time to propagate Chinese money plants if they have 'pups,' or offsets
'The Pilea peperomioides is also known as the Friendship Plant. This is because it is exceptionally easy to propagate and share,' says Juliet.
'This plant produces little offsets or 'pups' around its base which are extremely easy to separate, pot and give to friends.
September is the perfect time to pot-up pups while there is still plenty of natural light and warmth for them to take root before winter,' she explains.
You may need clean and sharp pruning tools (like these pruning snips from Amazon) to remove the offsets. Optionally, you can use this rooting hormone powder from Walmart to speed up houseplant propagation.
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Chinese money plants are also among the luckiest houseplants in some cultures, including Feng Shui. You can reap these rewards by keeping on top of optimal care and ensuring your Chinese money plant's needs are met in every season. Our guide to Feng Shui houseplant mistakes has more information you may find useful.
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