About

A tender, trailing, evergreen perennial to 25cm tall, with heavily textured, toothed, bronze-flushed dark green leaves, sometimes with lighter margins. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens.

About the genus

Pilea can be annuals or evergreen perennials with slightly succulent stems, simple, often attractively marked or textured leaves and insignificant, pinkish flowers

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A

Plant details

Plant typeHouseplants
HabitTrailing
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Native toCentral and South America

Care notes

CultivationGrow in standard houseplant compost in bright, indirect light, with high humidity and protection from draughts. Water moderately during the growing season and apply a balanced liquid feed every month; water sparingly in winter. See Pilea and houseplant cultivation for further advice. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens
PruningPinch out growing tips to promote bushiness
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free