Pilea cadierei

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aluminum plant

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aluminum plant RHS 2002

Other common names

watermelon pilea

Award of Garden Merit
Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants
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A bushy, evergreen perennial to 30cm with obovate leaves marked with silver patches between the veins. Flowers are insignificant and not freely produced. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Urticaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Pilea can be annuals or evergreen perennials with slightly succulent stems, simple, often attractively marked or textured leaves and insignificant, pinkish flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China, Vietnam

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass or in frost-free enviroment. Requires high humidity, branches become woody at base. See Pilea and houseplant cultivation for further advice. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens

Propagation

Propagate by stem tip cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Sub-tropical
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free