How to propagate your own pancake plant
This popular plant is back in style! The pancake plant, also known as Pilea, was extremely popular in the 1970s, and today it is once again a real trend in various stylish interiors. With its fresh, green round leaves, this plant is not only an eye-catcher, but also a must-have for every plant lover.
The pancake plant originates from China, where it has been nicknamed the “Chinese Money Plant”. This is because its round leaves are strongly reminiscent of coins, which are considered a symbol of prosperity in China.
What makes this houseplant extra attractive is its ease of care. The Pilea thrives best in normal daylight and prefers slightly moist soil. Ideal for those who don't want to spend too much time on care, but still want to enjoy a beautiful, green accent in their home!
Go all out
If you plan to propagate your pancake plant, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure success. Make sure you are well prepared before you get started. Here's what you'll need:
- A healthy pancake plant with cuttings
- Small glasses and/or pots
- Potting soil
- Sharp scissors or a sharp knife
The cuttings are easy to recognise. They usually grow right next to the mother plant and often have the shape of small green “pancakes”. Make sure the cutting is at least 5 cm long before cutting it off the mother plant. Smaller cuttings are often not strong enough to root independently, which reduces the chance of success.
The best way to take a cutting is to carefully loosen the soil around it. This creates space and makes it easier to remove the plant without damaging the roots of the mother plant. Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut the cutting cleanly, and make sure you do this as close to the mother plant as possible to protect the health of both plants.
Rooting the pancake plant
The baby plant is now loose! Yes, well done! Whether the cutting already has roots or not, the adventure continues. Carefully place it in a small pot or glass with a little water. Make sure the leaves don't touch the water; this prevents rotting. A handy trick is to place a skewer or small stick across the glass, where the leaves can rest. This keeps the roots in the water, but the leaves nice and dry.
Rooting can sometimes take a while, so be patient. It can take up to two weeks before the cutting actually starts to root. Don't forget to change the water regularly so that it always stays fresh for your plant. After about 1 to 2 weeks, when the roots are well developed, it's time to take your baby plant to the next level!
Place the Pilea in a small pot with fresh potting soil and give it plenty of light and moisture. In no time at all, you will have a healthy new pancake plant that is ready to grow and flourish!
Source photos: Mammilade
Place your Pilea in the right spot to ensure it grows optimally and stays healthy. This plant likes plenty of daylight, but be careful with direct sunlight. Too much sun can burn and shrivel the leaves, which you definitely want to avoid.
Also pay close attention to the health of the leaves. If you notice that the leaves are turning yellow, this is a clear sign that your plant is not entirely happy. Yellow leaves often indicate a problem, such as too much or too little sunlight, or that the soil is too wet. It is important to check that your Pilea is getting enough (but not too much) sun and that the soil is not waterlogged.
Don't worry, yellow leaves are not the end of the world! You can simply cut off the yellow leaves, preferably as close to the stem as possible. This helps the plant to recover and grow new healthy leaves. Make sure you regularly check that your plant is doing well, so that you can always intervene quickly and keep your pancake plant in top condition!