Can Chinese Money Plant Grow in Aquarium? The Ultimate Safety & Care Guide
The charming, pancake-shaped leaves of the Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) have conquered windowsills worldwide. As a plant lover and aquarist, you might be gazing at your thriving aquarium and your lush Pilea, wondering: can these two worlds collide? Is it possible to create a stunning aquascape featuring this beloved houseplant?
The short answer is yes, you can place a Chinese Money Plant in an aquarium, but it requires a very specific and careful approach to avoid harming your plant or your fish. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the potential benefits to the critical safety precautions.
Is Chinese Money Plant Safe for Aquariums? Weighing the Benefits and Risks
Before you start, it’s crucial to understand the implications of adding any terrestrial plant to an aquatic environment.
Potential Benefits of Pilea in Aquarium
- Natural Filtration: The primary benefit is the plant’s ability to absorb nitrates from the water. Nitrates are the end product of the nitrogen cycle in your tank, and while less harmful than ammonia or nitrites, high levels can stress fish. Your Pilea can use these nitrates as food, potentially helping to improve water quality.
- Stunning Aesthetics: A healthy Pilea with its vibrant green leaves emerging from the top of your aquarium creates a unique and beautiful visual contrast to the underwater scenery.
- Fun Project: Watching the plant’s roots develop and grow within the aquarium can be a fascinating process for any plant enthusiast.
Important Disadvantages and Risks
- It’s Not a True Aquatic Plant: This is the most critical point. Pilea peperomioides is not an aquatic plant. If its leaves and stem are fully submerged, they will eventually rot, decay, and pollute your tank water, harming your fish.
- Potential Toxicity: While generally considered non-toxic, like many plants, Pilea contains compounds (such as saponins) that could be irritating to some fish species if ingested in large quantities. Caution is always advised.
- Physical Damage: Active or curious fish might nibble on the roots or dislodge the plant from its position.
How to Grow Chinese Money Plant in Aquarium: A Step-by-Step Guide
Success hinges on keeping the plant’s foliage completely out of the water while allowing only its roots to reside in the tank. Here’s how to do it right.
What You’ll Need:
- A healthy Chinese Money Plant pup or cutting
- A small glass or jar of water for pre-rooting
- An aquarium plant lead cup, a piece of aquarium-safe driftwood, or a terrarium background to hold the plant
- Scissors/pruners (cleaned)
- Your established, cycled aquarium
Step 1: Propagate and Root in Water First
Do not simply take a soil-grown plant, wash off the dirt, and put it in your tank. This can shock the plant and introduce soil contaminants. Instead, start with a fresh cutting.
- Take a healthy pup or stem cutting from your mother plant. If you’re new to this, our guide on 3 Easy Methods for Chinese Money Plant Propagation can show you how.
- Place the cutting in a separate container with clean water, ensuring only the stem is submerged. Change the water weekly.
- Wait until a healthy network of roots至少 2-3 inches long has developed. This process is detailed in our article on How to Grow Chinese Money Plant in Water.
Step 2: Secure the Plant in Your Aquarium
Once your cutting has a robust root system, it’s ready for the tank.
- Best Method – Plant Lead Cup: These are small plastic pots with slits that can be attached to the side of your aquarium glass, just below the waterline. Place the rooted cutting into the cup, allowing the roots to dangle into the water through the slits. The cup holds the stem and leaves safely above the surface.
- Alternative Method – Hardscape: You can carefully attach or wedge the plant onto a piece of driftwood or a rock that protrudes above the waterline. Use aquarium-safe glue or tie it gently with cotton thread that will eventually decompose.
Chinese Money Plant Aquatic Care Requirements
Caring for a Pilea in this semi-aquatic environment is different from standard potted care.
- Light: Pilea thrives in bright, indirect light. This aligns well with the lighting needs of many aquariums. Avoid direct sunlight, which can heat the tank and cause algae blooms. Learn more about its needs in our Chinese Money Plant Light Needs guide.
- Water/Nutrients: The plant will draw its water and nutrients (nitrates) directly from the aquarium. In a well-stocked tank, no additional fertilization should be needed. The roots will adapt to being constantly wet, which is different from the “soak and dry” method used for potted plants. For comparison, read our standard Chinese Money Plant Watering Guide.
- Maintenance: Regularly trim any dead or yellowing leaves. If the plant becomes too large or the roots overcrowd the space, you may need to remove it, prune it, and re-propagate. Our guide on Pruning Your Chinese Money Plant can help.
Important Distinction: Chinese Money Plant vs. Other “Money Plants”
A common point of confusion is crucial for fish safety. The “Chinese Money Plant” is Pilea peperomioides. However, many people use the term “Money Plant” to refer to Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) or Jade Plants.
Critical Warning: Pothos (Devil’s Ivy) is a very common houseplant often grown in aquariums and is excellent at absorbing nitrates. However, Pothos is highly toxic to cats and dogs. If you have household pets, be extremely cautious. Always confirm you are using the correct, pet-friendly plant. You can check the safety of Pilea for your pets in our article: Is Chinese Money Plant Safe for Cats?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can a fully submerged Chinese Money Plant survive?
A: No. If the leaves and stem are underwater, they will rot and die. Only the roots should be submerged.
Q: What are the water requirements for this setup?
A: Pilea is adaptable but prefers stable water parameters. It does well in the neutral pH (6.0-7.5) and temperature range (65°F-75°F or 18°C-24°C) of most tropical community aquariums. Avoid placing it in tanks with aggressive, plant-eating fish.
Q: My Pilea leaves are turning yellow. What’s wrong?
A: Yellowing leaves can be a sign of several issues, even in a water setup. It could be a nutrient deficiency (though rare in a fish tank), or more likely, the stem or a leaf petiole is touching the water and beginning to rot. Review our troubleshooting guide on Causes of Chinese Money Plant Yellow Leaves for more insight.
Q: Can I do this with a terrarium instead?
A: Absolutely! A closed terrarium provides the high humidity that Pilea enjoys. The setup is different, as the entire plant is enclosed in a humid, soil-based environment. Explore our Ultimate Chinese Money Plant Care Guide for more on its preferred conditions.
Conclusion: A Beautiful Experiment with Caution
Incorporating a Chinese Money Plant into your aquarium can be a rewarding and beautiful project that blends your love for aquatic life and houseplants. By following the key rule—keep the leaves dry and the roots wet—you can minimize risks and enjoy the unique benefits.
Monitor your plant and your fish closely after introduction. If you notice any signs of plant decay or fish stress, remove the plant immediately. For everything else about keeping your Pilea happy, whether in a pot or on your tank, explore our complete archive of Chinese Money Plant Care Tips.
