Can a Coin Plant be Eaten? A Nutrition Diet Guide for 'Money' Plants

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

The term 'coin plant' is a common name applied to several distinct plant species, and whether one is edible depends entirely on which plant you have. Understanding the difference is crucial for anyone asking, can a coin plant be eaten?, and for ensuring dietary safety.

Quick Summary

This guide examines the various plants commonly referred to as 'coin plants' to clarify their edibility and potential nutritional value. It identifies specific edible varieties, such as pennywort and parts of the money tree, while distinguishing them from non-edible, ornamental counterparts like the Chinese money plant. The article details safe consumption practices and crucial identification tips.

Key Points

Plant Identification is Key: Not all plants commonly called 'coin plant' are edible; some popular houseplants are non-toxic but not meant for consumption, while others can be harmful if ingested in large amounts.
Chinese Money Plant is Ornamental: Pilea peperomioides, the most common houseplant known as a coin plant, is non-toxic but has no culinary use and is not tasty.
Pennywort is a Culinary Herb: Species of pennywort, such as Centella asiatica, have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and cuisine, and are edible when sourced from clean environments.
Money Tree has Edible Parts: The money tree, Pachira aquatica, produces edible seeds (nuts) and leaves in the wild, though it is primarily a houseplant and rarely produces food.
Avoid Unknown Plants: Never consume any plant unless you are 100% certain of its identity and edibility, as common names can be misleading and lead to poisoning.
Check for Chemicals: Even non-toxic houseplants can be contaminated with pesticides or fertilizers, making them unsafe to eat.

The phrase “coin plant” is a generic nickname that can lead to significant confusion. While some coin-shaped plants are indeed edible and even used in traditional medicine, others are purely ornamental and can cause health issues if ingested. The key to a safe and healthy diet, as with any foraged or lesser-known food source, lies in correct identification and caution.

Unpacking the “Coin Plant” Misnomer

Before you consider adding any plant to your meal, it's vital to move beyond the common nickname. Several plants are called “coin plant” due to their round foliage or seed pods. The most prominent of these are the Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides), the money tree (Pachira aquatica), and various types of pennywort (Centella asiatica and Hydrocotyle species). Their edibility and safety profiles vary dramatically.

The Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

This is perhaps the most well-known houseplant associated with the name “coin plant.” Its popularity stems from its distinctive, coin-shaped leaves and relatively easy care.

Edibility and Safety: While the Chinese money plant is non-toxic to humans and pets, it is not a food source and is not meant for consumption. Accidental ingestion of a large amount might cause a mild stomach upset, but it is not poisonous.
Culinary Value: None. This plant is purely ornamental.
Appearance: Features fleshy, round, dark green leaves attached to the stem from the center, creating a unique, “umbilical” appearance.

The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Another popular houseplant, often sold with a braided trunk for decorative purposes, is the money tree, or Malabar chestnut.

Edibility and Safety: In its native habitat, the money tree produces edible fruit with seeds that taste similar to peanuts. The leaves are also edible. However, when grown as an ornamental houseplant, it is rarely cultivated to produce fruit. The leaves and seeds are safe to eat, but consumption is uncommon and the focus is on the plant’s ornamental value.
Culinary Value: The seeds can be roasted or ground into flour. The young leaves are also consumed.
Appearance: Composed of long-stalked, palmately compound leaves with five to nine leaflets.

Pennywort (Centella asiatica and Hydrocotyle species)

This group of creeping herbs is genuinely edible and has a long history of culinary and medicinal use, particularly in Southeast Asian and Ayurvedic traditions.

Edibility and Safety: The leaves, stems, and roots of pennywort are all edible, provided they are harvested from a clean water source and washed thoroughly.
Culinary Value: Pennywort leaves can be used in juices, smoothies, teas, and salads. They have a fresh, herbal, and slightly sharp flavor profile with notes of cucumber, parsley, and wheatgrass. It is rich in vitamins B and K, as well as minerals like calcium, zinc, and magnesium.
Appearance: Characterized by low-growing, round, umbrella-like foliage with scalloped edges.

Comparison of Common “Coin Plants”

To help differentiate, here is a table comparing the key characteristics of these different plants.


Feature	Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)	Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)	Pennywort (Centella asiatica)
Edibility	No, ornamental only.	Yes, seeds and leaves are edible, but rarely produced as houseplants.	Yes, leaves, stems, and roots are edible.
Primary Use	Houseplant	Houseplant	Culinary Herb / Medicinal Plant
Leaf Shape	Fleshy, coin-shaped leaves with central stem attachment.	Palmately compound, consisting of 5-9 leaflets.	Round, umbrella-like foliage with scalloped edges.
Native Region	Southwest China.	Central and South America.	Southeast Asia.
Associated Benefits	Good luck (Feng Shui), air purification.	Prosperity (Feng Shui), air purification.	Ayurvedic medicine, brain function, skin health.

Nutritional and Medicinal Benefits of Edible Varieties

While the ornamental coin plants offer no dietary benefits, the edible ones are a different story. Pennywort, for example, is recognized for its health-promoting properties.

Here are some of the nutritional and medicinal benefits associated with pennywort:

Rich in vitamins and minerals: Provides vitamins B and K, along with calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Supports cognitive health: Known in traditional medicine to enhance memory and nervous system function.
Aids in digestion: Can be used to address digestive issues and constipation.
Possesses anti-inflammatory properties: May help with conditions like arthritis.
Boosts immunity: Sometimes used to support the immune system.

Important Safety Precautions

When exploring edible plants, especially those with similar-looking, non-edible counterparts, following strict safety guidelines is essential.

Always follow these steps:

Do not eat any plant found growing indoors or outside that you cannot identify with 100% certainty.
Be wary of common names. The name “coin plant” is particularly ambiguous and unsafe to rely on.
Source responsibly. Only consume edible plants from trusted sources, or harvest them from pristine, clean environments.
Wash thoroughly. All foraged or homegrown produce, including edible plants like pennywort, should be washed thoroughly before consumption to remove any contaminants, pesticides, or fertilizers.
Be mindful of contamination. Fertilizers and other chemicals used on houseplants, even non-toxic ones like Pilea, could be harmful if ingested.

For a general list of plants that are toxic to pets (many of which are also toxic to humans), you can consult resources like the ASPCA's database.

Conclusion: Know Before You Grow or Graze

In summary, the answer to can a coin plant be eaten? is not a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on the specific plant species. While ornamental favorites like the Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) are strictly for display, others like pennywort (Centella asiatica) are revered for their edibility and health benefits. The crucial takeaway is to prioritize accurate botanical identification over common, misleading nicknames. For those interested in the culinary potential of these plants, sticking to reliably identified and responsibly sourced edible varieties is the only safe approach to incorporating them into a healthy nutrition diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while the Chinese money plant is non-toxic to humans and pets, it is not considered a food source and is not intended for human consumption.

The edible plants that might be called a 'coin plant' include certain species of pennywort (Centella asiatica or Hydrocotyle species) and the seeds and leaves of the money tree (Pachira aquatica), though the latter is rare for houseplants.

Pennywort is often described as having a sharp, vegetal, and herbal taste with hints of cucumber, parsley, and watercress, making it a versatile culinary herb.

Yes, in its native environment, the money tree (Pachira aquatica) produces edible seeds that can be roasted, and the leaves are also edible, though this is uncommon for houseplants.

Eating an unidentified plant is highly risky due to potential toxicity. Relying on common names is dangerous, and only consuming plants you can identify with certainty is safe.

Accurate botanical identification is critical. Learn the specific scientific name of your plant and consult reliable resources to confirm its edibility. Never rely solely on appearance or a common name like 'coin plant'.

Yes, the leaves and roots of the silver dollar plant (Lunaria annua) are edible and have been used as a famine food, though it's now primarily an ornamental plant known for its decorative seed capsules.