Pancake Plant for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting instructions

Choose a site for your pancake plant that will receive bright, indirect sunlight. An east-, west-, or north-facing window is a good choice. Choose a container for your plant that is roughly twice the size of the root ball. Unpot the plant, and tease out any encircling roots, which can slowly girdle the plant and kill it. Place a few inches of a good-quality potting mix in the container and place the plant on top of it, spreading out the roots. Fill in around it with the potting mix, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly.

Watering and nutrients

Give your pancake plant water every few days when newly planted, until you see signs of vigorous new growth. Then taper back to a once-a-week watering schedule. If your home is very dry or hot, you may need to water more frequently. Check the soil 2 inches below the surface to determine if water is needed. If it’s dry, give it a drink. Fertilize regularly throughout the growing season with a product that’s designed for house plants.

Pollination

In the wild in its native China, Pilea plants pollinate through the action of wind, which disseminates the pollen from male flowers to female flowers. For those wishing to propagate new plants, however, there is a far easier way. Simply separate out the offshoots that will naturally appear at the base of the plant once they are a few inches high. Plant the offshoot in moist soil or potting mix and keep it watered and fed, and it should grow into a healthy plant.

Pruning

There is no need for regular pruning of your pancake plant. You may remove dead or damaged limbs whenever you see them. The outer leaves of the plant will slowly turn brown and die as new growth appears from the center, and these can be trimmed out as needed.

Pests and diseases

The pancake plant is not prone to any diseases or insect infestations, but you may see common insect pests on them, such as aphids, scale insects, or spider mites. You can wipe down the leaves and stems with a damp cloth to help eliminate them. Use an insecticide if the infestation becomes serious. Diseases that could impact your pancake plant include powdery mildew and botrytis. Both of these are fungal in nature. Avoid overwatering your plant, and take care to water it at the base without wetting the leaves.

Achieving maximum results

Choosing the right container for your Pilea is one way to achieve maximum results. By picking a pot that’s roughly twice the size of the root ball, you give the roots room to grow and extend. The pot you pick should have excellent drainage because pancake plants are susceptible to overwatering. The potting mix you use also plays a role. Choose one that’s designed for tropical plants or houseplants, and preferably contains peat or coir with perlite to allow for better drainage. Terracotta pots can look very attractive when used with pancake plants, and the porous nature of the clay allows for good drainage.

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