Money Really does Grow o n T R ees

from Outside & In | Winter 2023

START WITH THE ART

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN VALUE OF THE CHINESE MONEY PLANT

From the skilled hands that nurture over 800 plants both in and outdoors, the Chinese money plant comes highly recommended by a favourite in all things flora: local green queen, Saffron. If you’re wondering where the value lies in this botanical gem, you’ve come to the right place.

There are no two ways about it, indoor plants have taken the world by storm. So much so, there’s even a popular meme that repositions indoor plants as the new pets, pets as the new children, and children as exotic animals. The result of this ‘plant parenthood’ generation is an increased spending on plants, particularly on one fortuitously named variety: the Chinese money plant. A few years ago, the demand for this plant in America was at a fever pitch, and a single unrooted cutting could bag over R1000. But what makes this plant so special, and why were people ready to throw their money at it?

The history and origin of the money plant

Before it graced styled Instagram posts and had people foraging in nurseries globally, the Chinese money plant grew almost unknown to the world in the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in China. In the 1900s, it started its world tour and rose to fame when Norwegian missionary Agnar Espegren took a cutting of it back to Scandinavia.

My favourite part of this story is that from there it spread like wildfire, due not only to its eye-catching foliage but also its ease of propagation. From person to person it went, gaining other names such as the ‘friendship plant’ or the ‘pass along plant’. It became a rare example of gardeners and hobbyists becoming more familiar with a plant before it was formally described by botanists. The first known image only appeared in Kew Magazine in the 1980s. With its shiny, dark green, circular leaves on long stalks, there was no doubt that this was a beautiful plant. It also became somewhat of a curiosity due to the fact that it was uncommon to see such round leaves in nature. In fact, the leaves were so round that they were described as ‘coin-like’, hence the name.

Over time, due to a growing demand for the plant, prices skyrocketed and it became a musthave for any plant collection. Adding to this pressure was the social media-driven influence: it was a design-must to have one of these plants perched on a side table next to a stack of magazines. Fortunately, these days, for those of us who have more green fingers than green bills, the growers have caught up to the demand, and the plants are now affordable and available at your average nursery.

Care Requirements

Light

The Chinese money plant (also known as the UFO plant, pancake plant, and missionary plant) loves its bright light; however, you should avoid direct sunlight as this will cause burn marks on the leaves. Try to place your plant close to a light source without sunlight hitting the leaves directly.

Water

Your Chinese money plant has succulent-like qualities in that it can store water in its parts. You should rather err on the side of caution and water it less than more. Only water your plant when you see the top of the soil is dry.

Soil

To avoid soggy soil, try to keep this plant in a well-draining medium. Bark and other chunky pieces help the water to drain properly through the soil.

Level up your lucky leaf

• Keep your plant’s leaves clean by wiping them down so as to maximise photosynthesis. This is particularly important during winter when there is less light around.

• The number one issue people find with their Chinese money plant is that their leaves drop. There are many reasons this could happen, but I’ve often found that the main reason is that the plant has been overwatered.

• Due to the fact that Chinese money plants produce many pups that seep nutrients from the mother plant and soil, you should consider fertilising your plant regularly.

• This round lady loves to lean towards the light, and if you’re not careful, you will end up with a sideways-leaning plant. Rotate your plant so that all sides have equal opportunity to grow towards the light.

Propagation station

Chinese money plants are excellent for propagating because they often have babies or ‘pups’ popping up around them. You can also propagate them from petiole cuttings.

Propagate by division

When you notice a plantlet coming up, let it grow to at least 10 centimetres before separating it from the mother plant. This will increase your success rate of transferring it. When you separate it, gently pull it away from the mother plant by loosening the soil with your fingertips. Once the plantlet is removed, plant it in a well-draining mix and water immediately.

Propagate by cuttings

Use a sterile tool and cut off a petiole with its leaf from the stem. Let it sit out for an hour or two to let the cut dry. Then place the cutting in water. After a few weeks, your cutting will send out white water roots. When they are around five centimetres in length, you can transplant your cuttings in your well-draining mix and make sure to regularly water it so that the water roots don’t dry out but send out terrestrial roots instead.

All in all, it’s easy to see why the money plant is regarded as a token of good luck in China: prosperity, friendship, and beauty. If you haven’t got one in your collection, now may be the perfect time to invest.

Lavender

Viola

Dianthus

Viola Calendula Lavender

DIANTHUS &

Elevate any homemade cake by decorating it with vibrant Viola petals or dainty Dianthus ﬂowers. They have a sweet, perfumed ﬂavour and are great when crystallised.

Try Curry Risotto or Calendula Paella with Calendulas which have bright yellow anad orange petals. They not only add colour to dishes, but also have a delicious tangy, peppery taste.

Calendula

Make a Lavender Lamb roast dinner to remember by stufﬁng the meat with sprigs of fresh Lavender, or mixing Lavender ﬂowers with honey and oil to form a glaze.