Money Tree vs Chinese Money Plant
Two plants sold as 'money plant': the Pachira is a braided floor tree, the Pilea a small coin-leaved tabletop plant that pups. Both are pet-safe.
Money Tree rates 3/5 for humidity - normal household humidity works. Chinese Money Plant rates 2/5, so ordinary room air is fine. Money Tree reaches 90-180+ cm (3-6+ ft) and belongs on the floor. Chinese Money Plant tops out around 15-30 cm (6-12 in), so it suits a shelf or desk.
What they share: both are pet-safe, both are rated easy, both want medium indirect light and both take low watering.
Choose
Money Tree if…
- ✓it will live in a bathroom, kitchen or a humidified room
- ✓you want a floor-filling plant (90-180+ cm (3-6+ ft))
- ✓air-purifying credentials are a tiebreaker for you
Choose
Chinese Money Plant if…
- ✓your home runs dry in winter and you will not add a humidifier
- ✓shelf space is what you have (15-30 cm (6-12 in))
- ✓the look is what you are after: Round coin-shaped leaves on thin stems. Produces many babies.
Money Tree vs Chinese Money Plant: side by side
| Attribute |
Money Tree
|
Chinese Money Plant
|
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Foliage | Foliage |
| Difficulty | easy | easy |
| Light | ●●●○○ 3/5 Medium indirect light |
●●●○○ 3/5 Medium indirect light |
| Water | ●●○○○ 2/5 Low |
●●○○○ 2/5 Low |
| Humidity | ●●●○○ 3/5 Average |
●●○○○ 2/5 Low |
| Pet safe | Safe | Safe |
| Mature size | Large 90-180+ cm (3-6+ ft) |
Small 15-30 cm (6-12 in) |
| Growth rate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Air purifying | Yes | No |
| Native to | Central America | China |
Key differences between Money Tree and Chinese Money Plant
Money Tree needs damper air
Money Tree rates 3/5 for humidity - normal household humidity works. Chinese Money Plant rates 2/5, so ordinary room air is fine.
Money Tree is the bigger plant
Money Tree reaches 90-180+ cm (3-6+ ft) and belongs on the floor. Chinese Money Plant tops out around 15-30 cm (6-12 in), so it suits a shelf or desk.
Money Tree is the air-purifying one
Money Tree appears on the common indoor air-purifying lists; Chinese Money Plant does not. In a normal room the effect of either is modest, so treat it as a tiebreaker rather than a reason to buy.
They come from different habitats
Money Tree originates in Central America; Chinese Money Plant in China. Matching the original habitat is the quickest way to guess what each one wants indoors.
How to tell Money Tree and Chinese Money Plant apart
Two different plants both sold as 'money plant'. The money tree (Pachira) is a braided-trunk floor tree with palmate leaves. The Chinese money plant (Pilea) is a small tabletop plant with round, coin-like leaves on thin stalks that pups constantly. Both are pet-safe.
Care at a glance
Money Tree
Pachira Aquatica, Guiana Chestnut
Braided trunk with palmate leaves. Said to bring good luck.
Care in one line: Medium to bright light, water when dry, easy care.
Full Money Tree care guide →
Chinese Money Plant
Pilea Peperomioides, UFO Plant, Pancake Plant
Round coin-shaped leaves on thin stems. Produces many babies.
Care in one line: Bright indirect light, water when dry, rotate for even growth.
Full Chinese Money Plant care guide →Money Tree vs Chinese Money Plant: common questions
What is the difference between Money Tree and Chinese Money Plant? +
Two different plants both sold as 'money plant'. The money tree (Pachira) is a braided-trunk floor tree with palmate leaves. The Chinese money plant (Pilea) is a small tabletop plant with round, coin-like leaves on thin stalks that pups constantly. Both are pet-safe. On care, money Tree rates 3/5 for humidity - normal household humidity works. Chinese Money Plant rates 2/5, so ordinary room air is fine.
Which is easier to care for, Money Tree or Chinese Money Plant? +
Neither - both are rated easy. The practical difference is money tree needs damper air.
Is Money Tree or Chinese Money Plant safe for cats and dogs? +
Both are safe. Money Tree and Chinese Money Plant are each non-toxic to cats and dogs, so either works in a home with animals.
Which needs less light, Money Tree or Chinese Money Plant? +
They are the same. Both score 3/5 for light, meaning near a bright window, out of direct sun.
Which needs more water, Money Tree or Chinese Money Plant? +
Neither - both score 2/5. For each one, water when the top 3-5 cm of soil has dried out.
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