7 Rare Exotic House Plants That Nurseries Don’t Want You to Know Are Easy to Grow

2. Pilea Peperomioides ‘Chinese Money Plant’

I have to laugh every time someone asks me about my Pilea Peperomioides because this plant literally has the most dramatic backstory of any houseplant I own. And trust me, that’s saying something.

This little green beauty almost went extinct in the wild, survived thanks to one Norwegian missionary, and somehow became the most Instagram-famous plant of the 2010s. Talk about a glow-up story.

The Wild Journey from Near-Extinction to Plant Fame

So here’s the crazy part – this Chinese Money Plant was basically lost to the world for decades. A Norwegian missionary named Agnar Espegren brought some cuttings back from China in 1946, and for the longest time, it only existed in Scandinavia.

No botanical gardens had it, no nurseries sold it – it was just passed around between friends and neighbors like some kind of green secret society.

I first heard about it from my friend Sarah who’d gotten a cutting from her Norwegian grandmother. She called it the “friendship plant” because you literally couldn’t buy one – someone had to give it to you.

The whole thing felt like being part of some exclusive plant club.

Propagation That’s Almost Too Easy

Okay, I need to warn you about something with Pilea propagation – this plant is going to make you look like a plant genius when you’ve done absolutely nothing special.

These little guys pop out babies faster than you can give them away.

I started with one 4-inch plant eighteen months ago. Today? I’ve got seven full-sized plants and have given away probably twenty offspring to friends, coworkers, and random people who complimented my plant setup.

The pups just appear around the base of the mother plant like magic. You literally just wait until they’re about 2 inches tall, gently separate them with their little root systems, and boom – new plant.

I keep a few small pots with potting mix ready at all times because these babies don’t wait for you to be prepared. The propagation happens on the plant’s timeline, not yours.

Perfect for Small Space Living

Living in a tiny apartment taught me that every plant needs to earn its real estate. The Pilea Peperomioides absolutely crushes this test.

Those perfectly round, coin-shaped leaves pack maximum visual impact into minimal space.

I’ve got mine on a floating shelf in my living room, and it creates this gorgeous focal point without overwhelming the area. The leaves catch light beautifully, creating these subtle shadows that change throughout the day.

For urban dwellers dealing with limited natural light, this plant is incredibly forgiving. Mine thrives about 6 feet from a north-facing window – not exactly prime plant real estate, but it doesn’t seem to care.

The compact growth habit means it won’t outgrow your space like some of those monster plants that look cute until they take over your entire corner.

The Laziest Care Routine Ever

I’m not even exaggerating when I say Pilea care is perfect for people who travel constantly or just forget about their plants sometimes.

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry – that’s literally it.

I check mine every week or so, but honestly, it’s fine if I forget for two weeks. The leaves will get slightly less perky, but they bounce back immediately after watering.

No special fertilizer schedule, no humidity requirements, no complicated light needs. I’ve never misted mine, never moved it to different locations seasonally, never done any of that high-maintenance plant parent stuff.

The only thing that’ll kill this plant is overwatering, and even then, it’s pretty forgiving if you catch it early.

Styling for Modern Minimalist Spaces

This is where the Chinese Money Plant really shines in contemporary home design. Those perfect circular leaves look like they were designed by some minimalist artist.

The geometric shape works incredibly well with clean lines and neutral color palettes.

I’ve styled mine in everything from simple white ceramic pots to sleek black planters, and it always looks intentional and sophisticated. The key is letting the plant’s natural form be the star.

For minimalist interiors, try grouping different sizes together – a mature plant with a couple of its offspring creates this gorgeous family cluster without looking cluttered.

The plant photographs beautifully too, which doesn’t hurt if you’re into sharing your space on social media. Those round leaves create perfect shadows and the overall shape is just so satisfying to look at.

Want to add some serious drama to your plant collection? Click “next” to discover the Begonia Maculata – the spotted stunner that’ll make your guests do double-takes and ask if those silver polka dots are actually real!