Pilea

Q. Do you have any advice for a plant called Pilea? The picture I saw makes me feel it is Moon Valley variety. Do you know that?

A. I have grown many varieties and species of Pilea. It is commonly called the "Aluminum Plant" Pilea cadierei. But yours is a more exotic plant...of course! Many originate in Vietnam. Favorite ones are P. cadierei (aluminum plant); P. involucrata (panamiga Pan-American friendship plant); P. microphylla (artillery plant)

The species of Pilea listed are ideally suited for window sills and tables. Most do not grow more than 12" tall and have peculiarly puffy leaves with depressed veins that make them look quilted.

It grows about 10" tall and has 2 1/2-to 3 1/2" leaves each with 3 conspicuous sunken veins; the quilted sections appear to have been brushed with aluminum paint. Artillery [side hanging offshoots] plants grows about 8" tall and have stems with tiny oval leaves about 1/8" long.

Pilea species do best in bright indirect or curtain-filtered sunlight. If only artificial light is available provide at least 400 foot-candles just as you would African violets or Gesneriad house plants. Night temperatures of 65øF to 70øF and day temperatures of 75øF to 85øF are ideal. [Do you need these converted to centigrade?]

Keep the soil barely moist at all times. Please do not overwater! Feed at 2-month intervals with regular houseplant fertilizer diluted 1/2 strength recommended on the label but wait 3-4 months before feeding newly purchased or potted plants to avoid burning the roots.

Because old plants become straggly it is best to start new plants from stem cuttings or by dividing the roots early each spring. The plants generally grow best in 3- to 4" pots a size that allows space for a good balance between root and top growth.

Use a mixture of equal parts of a general-purpose house plant potting soil peat moss or leaf mold and perlite. They also do well in soilless mixes. Watch for spider mites!!!