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Pilea involucrata
  • RHS AGM

friendship plant

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

Other common names
panamica
panamigo
see morepanamiga
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Bronze Green
Summer Bronze Green
Autumn Bronze Green
Winter Bronze Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1A
Botanical details
Family
Urticaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Trailing
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

Unresolved

Plant range
Central and South America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow 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

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

Pinch out growing tips to promote bushiness

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.