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Herbaceous Perennial

Pilea insolens

A herbaceous perennial, to around 50cm high, with creeping stolons and upright stems bearing textured, asymmetric green leaves with distinctive veining and long, tapered tips. Spikes or sprays of tiny white flowers are produced in summer

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–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)

Botanical details

Family: Urticaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
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: Himalaya to Tibet

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in moist but well drained soil in sun or light shade. Plants are deciduous below freezing but remain evergreen if brought indoors to overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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