Pilea

Family Urticaceae. Native to the humid tropics of Southeast Asia. About 400 species occur in the wild. In general Pileas are fairly undemanding, but they exhibit rather untidy growth, so young shoots are pinched to encourage bushiness, and elongated or bare stems are cut back and the plant is rejuvenated by replanting from cuttings in spring.

Pilea Cadier - Pilea cadieri - a small shrub up to 40 cm high, with erect stems. Leaves opposite, ovate, pointed at the tip, up to 10 cm long. The leaf tip may have a faintly toothed margin. Leaves are green along the veins and silvery between the veins. Flowers small, unisexual - gathered into female and male racemose inflorescences.

Small-leaved Pilea - Pilea microphylla - a low herbaceous plant, usually up to 20 cm high, with heavily branching succulent stems. Leaves opposite, rounded, light green, small - up to 0.5 cm long. Flowers small, in axillary inflorescences, bisexual or unisexual.

Pilea "Norfolk" - Pilea "Norfolk" - a small shrub with erect stems. Leaves opposite, ovate or rounded, with a wavy, velvety surface, up to 5 cm long. Leaf color bright green with a silvery sheen, with reddish-brown markings along the veins; the underside of the leaf is reddish.

Creeping Pilea - Pilea repens - a small shrub up to 25 cm high, with creeping stems. Leaves opposite, rounded, with a wavy margin. Leaves up to 2.5 cm long, glossy, dark green with a coppery sheen; the underside of the leaf purple.

Pilea involucrata - Pilea involucrata - a shrub up to 30 cm high, with erect stems. Leaves opposite, ovate, pointed at the tip, up to 7 cm long. The leaf surface is strongly textured, light green, with brown along the veins. This species is the source of many hybrid forms, including the creeping Pilea.

Pilea Bronze - Pilea Bronze - a shrub about 30 cm high, with erect stems. Leaves opposite, ovate, pointed at the tip, up to 7 cm long. The leaf surface is wrinkled, dark green along the veins and silvery between them, as in Pilea cadieri, or the leaf edges are dark green while a silvery stripe runs along the central vein.



Temperature: Grows well in warm rooms at 18-20°C, preferably not above 21°C, and in winter around 16-17°C, not below 12°C.

Lighting: Bright, diffused light; shading from direct sunlight in summer is essential. All Pilea species need good lighting even in winter.

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