Pilea is the same decorative nettle. At home, the flower does not require special attention, and thanks to its bright leaves it pleases the owner all year round. It has about 600 species, so every gardener will find a suitable option for himself.
The genus name comes from the Latin pileus, which translates as cap or cap. This is due to the fact that in many species one of the tepals has the shape of a hood.
Pilea is the largest genus in the Nettle family. Represented by annual and perennial varieties. In its natural environment, it is common in regions with tropical climates, but is not found in New Zealand and Australia.
You can buy pilea in flower shops and on online platforms. Price from 150 rubles to several thousand.
It is safe for animals, and even useful for humans: the phytoorganic substances of Pilea neutralize pathogenic microbes.
Pilea grows up to 40 cm, has fragile but fleshy stems. They can be straight, branched or creeping. Oblong, ovate or rounded leaves are arranged oppositely. Often embossed and decorated with colorful patterns. Sizes from 3 mm in diameter to 5–10 cm in length. There are smooth and jagged edges of various shades.
It blooms in summer, but is rare indoors. The flowers are yellowish, pinkish or creamy green and do not attract attention. Outwardly they resemble umbrellas or panicles, located in the axils singly or in the form of inflorescences.
A special feature of Pilea is its ability to catapult fruits over a distance of up to 100 meters. For such fireworks she was nicknamed “Artillery Flower”.
Do you believe in signs and superstitions associated with this flower?
I believeI do not believe
Pilea has a positive effect on the atmosphere in the home. When around her, people's anxiety decreases and their mood improves. Suitable for those who practice: in her presence it is easier to enter a meditative state.
It is a talisman for those born under the sign of Pisces. It is believed that Pilea Peperomiiformes has special energy and attracts money into the house, which is why it is also called the Chinese money tree.
According to floral feng shui, you should not keep fading plants at home - they take away vital energy. Give flower pots a place away from the bed and sofa. It is better not to place plants in the bedroom at all. But an excellent solution would be to fill empty niches and corners with them.
Expert opinion
Mokhov Andrey Petrovich
Pilea is not suitable for growing as a bonsai, but feels great in open and closed florariums.
Despite the unpretentiousness of the pilea, depending on the season, the conditions for its maintenance should be adjusted.
| Season | Temperature | Humidity | Lighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25˚C, no drafts, diffused light | Increased | Penumbra. The bright sun burns the leaves |
| Summer | |||
| Autumn | Not lower than 16˚С. Optimally 20˚С. No drafts | Moisturize at the beginning of the heating season | The brightest place. You can use phytolamps |
| Winter |
The plant does not go dormant in winter. If you want to take a forced rest, then choose the period from October to February. To do this, maintain a temperature of 18–20˚C, water infrequently, and do not humidify the air nearby.
If you do not regularly trim the pilea, it will quickly lose its compactness, stretch out, and the branches will turn into a tangle. And in order to maintain splendor, at the beginning of spring it is necessary to pinch the shoots. Once every 3–4 years, the flower needs rejuvenation.
It is better to place the plant on the western or eastern side. This is where the diffused daylight he needs will be available. Pilea also feels good in the back of the room, so you don’t have to limit yourself to window sills. And in the summer, even take it out onto the balcony, making a canopy from the sun.
It is easy to provide the high humidity required by the plant in an apartment:
Land for Pilea can be purchased in specialized stores or prepared yourself. The composition is not complicated: humus, leaf soil, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1:1.
Expert opinion
Mokhov Andrey Petrovich
Graduated from KubSAU, specialty: agronomy
If you make the mixture yourself, do not forget about disinfection. To do this, the soil needs to be calcined or frozen. It is also recommended to soak it in a solution of potassium permanganate to protect it from pests.
In the store, choose a mixture for decorative foliage flowers with an acidity pH of 5.5–6. A couple of hours before use, stir the soil to saturate it with oxygen. The purchased option is often the best, because maintaining proportions is not everything. It is difficult to find high-quality soil without impurities and diseases.
Even peat taken from the shore of a reservoir may not be suitable for indoor plants. Therefore, the ready-made mixture has more advantages than it seems. The only drawback is the price, but the result is worth it. 
Do not forget about drainage, because the roots of the pilea do not tolerate stagnant moisture. You can use crushed bricks, pebbles, gravel, ceramic shards or expanded clay. When choosing a pot, choose a shallow, spacious option: the flower quickly grows in width, and the root system is superficial.
Pilea is replanted immediately after purchase, and then annually from early spring to summer. When transplanting a new flower, the old soil must be removed from the roots.
To do this, place the plant in a container with warm water. Once it's soaked, gently rinse the roots. You can additionally treat them with a preparation like “Kornevina”.
Prepare the pot in advance. A new one should be soaked in water in the evening, and a used one should be rinsed well. The day before transplanting, it is better to water the flower itself abundantly, this will make it easier to remove.
If the Pilea's leaves change color or wilt, this may be a signal for an urgent transplant into a slightly larger pot than the previous one.
Also monitor the condition of the soil; if a light brown coating and an unpleasant odor appear, it is worth replacing the soil. Do not replant the plant during the flowering period, but if this is necessary due to disease, it is better to cut off the inflorescences.
After replanting, do not disturb the flower for several days; after a week, the soil can be slightly loosened. Do not feed the plant for 2 months after transplanting. Inspect once a week for rot, mold and pests.
Pilea can be propagated throughout the year by cuttings or seeds. For the first option, use cuttings 7–10 cm long. Place them in boiled water. When the roots appear, the plant is ready for planting. 
Cuttings can also be germinated in a mixture of peat and sand. In this case, cover them with glass or polyethylene. It is advisable to plant several pieces in one pot and not leave them in the sun.
From March to August, Pilea needs fertilizing every 10 days. In autumn and winter - once a month. You can use universal mineral or organic fertilizers, the main thing is to follow the instructions. When using liquid fertilizers, dilute them with pre-purified water.
If you are a supporter of everything natural, then use sugar, coffee grounds, citrus and banana peels, ash, yeast, humus, aquarium water and even onions as fertilizer.
Watering can only be done with soft water that has stood for several days. In spring and summer, the frequency of watering depends on the speed of drying of the top soil; the rest of the time you should wait a few days. Do not spray the Pilea - excess moisture on the leaves can cause them to fall off.
The best way to preserve your Pilea while you are away is to find someone who will take care of them. But if this option is not possible, then there are several ways to prevent the flowers from drying out: 
The main indicator of Pilea health is its leaves. You will immediately notice your errors in the content:
| Diseases and pests | Causes | Symptoms | Ways to fight | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rot of stems and roots | Frequent watering, especially in a cold room, leads to the appearance of fungus. | Wet soil, lifeless plant appearance, stems at the base soft and watery, leaves falling off. | Replanting into new soil. Treatment with Topaz. | Water the plant correctly. |
| Spider mite | High air temperature and insufficient humidity. | Dots on the leaves that eventually merge into spots. The leaves fall off and there is a thin cobweb on their backs and stems. | Treat with Aktara, Fufanon or Decis. | Maintain the required level of humidity. If the pest has appeared recently, rinse the plant under a warm shower. Shake the water off the leaves and let dry. |
| Mealybug | White cotton wool-like sticky discharge. | Treat with Aktara. | Shake the water off the leaves and let dry. | |
| Thrips | Black or gray insects, larvae on the back of the leaf. Colorless spots and silvery coating on the leaves. | If the damage is severe, then treat the flower with Fitoverm: 2 ml per 200 ml of water. After this, put the bag on the flower and leave it for 24 hours. "Actellik": ampoule per liter of water. Use the solution only in fresh air. | Glue traps, treatment with celandine infusion, replacement of the top layer of soil. | |
| Shchitovka | It is impossible to notice young individuals with the naked eye. Adults have a brown shell. The affected plant becomes deformed and the leaves dry out. | Treat with Fitoverm and Actellik. Repeat after a week. | If you find an insect, remove it with a cloth soaked in a mild soap solution. Be sure to monitor the plant for a couple of weeks. |
It is distinguished by large oval leaves with two silvery intermittent stripes.
It has long curly shoots of light green color. The leaves look like coins, popularly known as the Japanese dollar.
Up to 15 cm in height. It has light green small leaves. As it grows it covers the ground.
Grows up to 30 cm, there are several varieties: 
Pilea- a plant that does not require much attention from you, and which beginner gardeners can care for. There are many varieties of it. What’s interesting is that each type of pilea is strikingly different from each other. And if you were not specifically interested in other species besides the one you have, then when you see a pilea of another species, you may not even realize that it is essentially the same plant as yours. They are distinguished by their special beauty - Pilea Cadieri (cadieri), Pilea involucra 'Norfolk'. But the most popular species have gained peperomyoid And small-leaved, although in my subjective opinion, they are inferior in appearance to the above-mentioned varieties.
In many Pilea species, one of the tepals looks like a hood. This is where the name came from Pileus, which translated into native language from Latin means - cap, cap.
Despite the diversity of species and varieties of this plant, the care and maintenance conditions are basically the same for all.
Pilea is a heat-loving plant and is quite acceptable for it. It is believed that the most acceptable temperature for Pilea lies within +20-25 degrees. But for species such as cadieri, peperomyoid and small-leaved Pilea, it is desirable to lower the temperature in winter to +16-18 degrees. This decrease is desirable, but as practice shows, it is not at all necessary if normal air humidity is constantly maintained. Protect the Pilea from drafts. In summer, you can safely take it outside, protecting it from the burning sun, wind and rain.
Try to provide her with a lot of light, protecting her from direct sunlight. Considering the high decorative features of the pilea, on the windowsill, covered with a curtain, it will look somewhat out of place. It is better to place the pilea next to the window. I note that it looks most impressive against a dark background, in a composition with bright colors.
Keep in mind. With excessive lighting, the plant becomes discolored, the leaves become faded and unattractive.
In summer, constant soil moisture should be maintained. after the soil dries out slightly. In winter, reduce watering. Water about a day or two after the soil dries out. Pilea tolerates dry soil more easily than excess moisture. A flooded plant may have roots that rot.
For a comfortable existence, a pilea is necessary. But spraying it is not recommended. This will not affect her health, but it will make her lose her attractiveness and look unkempt. This especially applies to Pilea varieties that have velvety leaves. Water on the leaves can cause irreparable harm to them. Most often, problems with humidity arise during the heating season, when the indoor air is too dry. To maintain the required humidity, you can place the pot with the pilea in a tray with water on pebbles, expanded clay, and moss. The bottom of the pot should not touch the water. You can place the pilea next to plants that you spray regularly. If the pilea is grown in a suspended state, then you can use a capacious flowerpot in which the pot with the plant is placed. The space between the walls of the flowerpot and pot is filled with wet moss.
You may have noticed that in some public organizations, where plants are cared for as needed, pileas are a tangle of intertwined branches and leaves. Often with long, half-naked lashes. Pilea grows very quickly. Pruning the pilea and pinching the tops of the vines should become regular. Pilea tolerates pruning easily.
The cuttings that remain during the pruning process can simply be placed in water, and soon their own roots will appear on them, after which the young pileas can be planted in pots with soil. It's that simple. Moreover, Pilea can be propagated throughout the year. To achieve the greatest decorative effect, plant several cuttings in one pot.
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Pilea(Pilea)- a herbaceous plant or shrub from the Nettle family. Unites about 400 species, can be either annual or perennial. Homeland - Southeast Asia and Vietnam.
Unpretentiousness, endurance, variety of species and varieties, luxury of small decorative foliage, ease of propagation - all this characterizes Pilea, which can be grown even by novice gardeners.
The pilea reaches a height of 35-45 cm. The intensity of its growth is very high: in one season, a plant grown from a cutting reaches the size of an adult. The stems of the flower are highly branched and can creep. Leaves with pronounced veins grow alternately on shortened petioles.
Depending on the type, they can be leathery and rough or miniature and smooth, velvety or glossy, have jagged or smooth edges. The color of the leaf blade varies from green and light green to brown and crimson, with multi-colored veins, stripes and spots.
Pilea blooms with small, inconspicuous flowers, collected in racemose inflorescences.
| It grows very quickly. | |
| It blooms very rarely in summer. | |
| The plant is easy to grow. |
| Up to 4 years, then should be rejuvenated. |
Pilea increases air humidity and enriches it with biogenic stimulating substances. It has sound-absorbing and phytoncidal properties. For example, Pilea monetifolia reduces the amount of staphylococcus in the air by 60-70%, Pilea Cadieux - by 50-70%.
| Temperature | In summer 19-23 degrees, in winter 15-17, but not lower than 10 degrees. |
| Air humidity | High. |
| Lighting | Pilea at home needs bright, diffused light; east or west window. |
| Watering | Moderate; in summer 2-3 times a week, in winter 1 time a week. |
| Priming | Medium fertile with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction, permeable to water. |
| Feeding and fertilizer | During the growing season, apply liquid complex fertilizer once every 2 weeks. |
| Transfer | Once a year, in spring in wide pots. |
| Reproduction | Stem cuttings. |
| Features of cultivation | Does not tolerate drafts well and needs pruning and pinching. |
Pilea care at home does not require too much care. She does not notice occasional mistakes, but she will not forgive serious shortcomings. Therefore, in order to enjoy the lush decorative foliage as much as possible, it is important to create suitable conditions for it.
In apartment conditions, Pilea blooms extremely rarely. Usually buds appear in summer.
Inconspicuous monochromatic flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences in the axils of the leaves. They have no decorative value.
The maximum temperature for Pilea is 25 degrees, the minimum is 10 degrees. The optimal thermometer readings in summer are 19-23 degrees, in winter 15-17 degrees. If it is not possible to organize a cool winter, it is important to take care of good lighting at this time.
Pilea is afraid of drafts and sudden temperature changes - this can lead to the death of the flower. The pot with the plant should be located away from the windows and the door to the balcony.
Pilea at home prefers high environmental humidity. However, it is not recommended to spray it, especially species with velvet foliage. Spots may remain on the leaves, they lose their decorative appearance, wither or dry out.
To increase air humidity, you can take the following measures:
For the full development of the Pilea, bright, diffused light is required. The optimal place is an eastern or western window sill. On the south side, the plant will need shading using a translucent curtain. Or the pot can be placed on the nightstand near the south window. Otherwise, direct rays of the sun may cause burns on the leaves.
In winter, due to lack of light, variegated varieties may lose the brightness of their leaves and their stems may become elongated. With short daylight hours, the plant can be moved to a southern windowsill. It would not be superfluous to additionally illuminate the flower with phyto- or fluorescent lamps for 8-12 hours.
Pilea needs regular moderate watering in spring and summer (2 times a week) and rare (once every 7-10 days) in winter. Between moistenings, the top layer of soil should dry out a little.
If we talk about extremes, the pilea tolerates drought better than waterlogging. The latter is fraught with withering and fading of the leaves, and rotting of the roots. The plant responds better to frequent but meager watering than to rare and abundant watering.
Water for irrigation should be left to settle for several days; it should be at room temperature.
Since Pilea has a superficial root system, the pot should be shallow (no higher than 10 cm) and wide. Unusual flowerpots or decorative trays will do.
The pot must match the size of the plant. If you choose a pot that is too large, the likelihood of soil acidification and rotting of the root system increases.
Pilea grows well in fertile, loose soil with medium or weak acidity (5.5-6 pH). A store-bought substrate for decorative foliage plants is suitable. If you have the opportunity to prepare the mixture yourself, you can choose one of the options:
Homemade Pilea also grows well in hydroponics.
Due to a lack of nutrients, Pilea slows down its growth, and its leaves become smaller and lose their decorative properties.
It is recommended to fertilize throughout the year: in spring and summer – once every 10-15 days, in winter – once a month. Complex liquid fertilizers for decorative foliage plants are suitable. Concentration - according to instructions.
Fertilizers should be applied after watering to moist soil so as not to burn the root system.
The optimal time for transplantation is from early spring to mid-summer. Plants are replanted once a year. If necessary, the bushes are divided. To maintain a decorative appearance and compactness, the pilea is cut off before transplanting, and the tips of the shoots are pinched.
When transplanting, it is important to lay a 3-centimeter layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot. Crushed brick, expanded clay or pebbles are suitable for this purpose.
Pilea quickly degenerates: it stretches out, loses its compactness, and the stems become exposed. Therefore, it is recommended to update it by cuttings. Some perform the procedure annually, others once every 2-3 years. The reference point is the appearance of the plant: if it has lost its attractiveness, rejuvenation is necessary.
Since the Pilea flower at home grows quickly and branches heavily, it requires annual pruning. The procedure is optimally carried out at the beginning or end of the growing season (beginning of spring or autumn).
To make the plant lush and compact in size, the tops of the shoots are regularly pinched. The cuttings remaining after pruning can be used to propagate the flower.
Pilea does not have a clearly defined dormant period. Like most indoor flowers in winter (from November to February) it stops growth and development. Does not require special care during this period.
When breeding Pilea at home propagated by cuttings.
The procedure can be carried out throughout the year, but the optimal time is spring: the pilea takes root faster and grows with young shoots.
Cuttings 7-10 cm long with 2-3 pairs of leaves are suitable for propagation. They should be planted in sand or adult plant substrate and covered with polyethylene or glass. The “greenhouse” is placed in a warm place, protected from direct sunlight, regularly ventilated and watered. When the cuttings have taken root and new leaves have appeared, the polyethylene or glass is removed.
Freshly cut cuttings can be placed in water, and when they have roots, they can be planted in individual pots. You can plant 2-3 cuttings in one container - such a bush will be more lush.
Pilea is a fairly hardy plant. However, if the basic rules of caring for it are not followed, difficulties may arise. Here are the main problems and the reasons for their occurrence:
Among the pests, Pilea can be affected by aphids, scale insects, spider mites, and thrips.
Forms a compact bush, up to 45 cm high. On a rigid stem, rounded leaves on long petioles are placed oppositely. The leaf blade, up to 7 cm in diameter, is smooth, green in color, and slightly bent inward.
A bushy plant, up to 40 cm high. Young stems are erect, mature stems lean towards the soil and branch strongly. The leaves have an elongated oval shape, up to 5 cm wide, up to 20 cm long. The green leaf plate with three veins has two silvery lines along it. Small flowers are collected in axillary inflorescences.
Perennial herbaceous plant, up to 15 cm high. Arched light green shoots are highly branched. They have many miniature light green leaves, up to 0.5 cm long, placed opposite them. The leaf blade is glossy, oval or round in shape. In the axils of the leaves, tiny flowers, both unisexual and bisexual, are collected in corymbose inflorescences.
An ampelous plant with thin reddish shoots. Small rounded leaves, up to 1 cm long, are alternately placed on them. The underside of the leaf plate is painted purple.
A herbaceous plant with erect or creeping stems, up to 30 cm high. The opposite leaves are oval in shape and have pronounced serrated edges. Their length reaches 7 cm. The leaf plate is tuberous, light green in color, and brown in the area of 3 longitudinal veins. This species is used to create hybrids.
Pilea belongs to the Nettle family. This annual or perennial herbaceous plant (less commonly a shrub) is common in tropical forests in both hemispheres, excluding Australia. The name pilea comes from the Latin word pileus, which means “hat” or “cap,” because one of the tepals in most types of pilea resembles a hood in shape. Pilea can also be used as an hanging plant; it adapts perfectly to home conditions.
Pilea is sometimes called the "artillery tree" because its flowers release a cloud of pollen when they bloom. Pilea is native to the humid tropics of Southeast Asia.
About 400 species of Pilea can be found in nature. Many of these species are suitable for growing indoors, including Pilea Cadieux, Pilea parvifolia, Pilea involucres, Pilea peperomioides, Pilea lebanese and Pilea compressa. Pilea is a versatile plant; it can be used both as a hanging flower in a flower pot and as a regular flower in a pot. Many species are distinguished by rather disorderly growth, so young shoots must be pinched and grown shoots trimmed.
Pilea cadieri is a bushy herbaceous plant. Its stems are straight, flexible, thin, reaching a height of 40 cm. Young shoots first stand upright, then bend under their own weight and take on an ampelous shape. The leaves are oval, pointed at the ends, up to 5 cm wide and reach a length of 10 cm. They are dark green with silver spots over the entire surface, light green below.
Because of its unusual color, the Germans nicknamed it “silver pilea”, and the British called it “aluminum plant”. The flowers of this species are small and inexpressive white-greenish in color. The dwarf version of Cadieu's Pilea - "Minima" - is popular among gardeners. Its height does not exceed 10 cm.
Pictured is small-leaved Pilea
Small-leaved Pilea (Pilea microphylla) is a perennial herbaceous plant. This species is low-growing and reaches a maximum of 15 cm in height with highly branching spreading shoots. The leaves grow densely on the shoots, they are quite small (up to 0.5 cm), round, light green in color, convex on top. The curved branches resemble the shape of a fern. The flowers are small, collected in the axils of the leaves in small shields. It is this species that emits a cloud of pollen when touched in the summer.
Pilea involucrata is a bush-type plant with erect stems. It reaches a height of up to 30 cm. The leaves are tuberous, oval in shape with pointed ends. The color of the leaves is light green with brown veins. This species is the source for many hybrid forms, including Pilea repens.
Peperomoides Pilea (Pilea peperomoides) is a bushy plant reaching 45 in height. The leaves are held by long cuttings, which, when growing, bend under the weight of the leaves. The color of the leaves is slightly spotted green, round in shape, diameter about 7 cm.
Lebanese Pilea (Pilea libanensis) is a rather unpretentious hanging plant with long brown shoots. They produce opposite leaves, the length of which is no more than 1 cm. The color of the leaves is silver-green on top and green below. It is better to plant several cuttings of Pilea Lebanese in one pot to make it lush.
Pilea depressa is very similar to Pilea coinifolia. The main difference is the size of the leaves; in Pilea compressed it does not exceed 6 mm. This is a groundcover, creeping species. As it grows, it forms a mat, completely covering the ground. The leaf color is light green. A very unpretentious plant, it can survive low temperatures in winter (up to 8 degrees).
Pilea is a plant that does not require constant care.
Pilea is a fairly unpretentious plant that is easy to care for at home. That is why it is very popular among novice gardeners.
At home, Pilea prefers light, semi-shady places. Direct sunlight is undesirable for it, so if it is not possible to place the pilea near a western or eastern window, then during hot sunny hours it must be removed from the window. With the beginning of warm days, the pilea can be taken out into the open air: a balcony, loggia or dacha. But remember that bright light is harmful to the pilea. In winter, it is necessary to ensure sufficient lighting, perhaps using artificial light for several hours a day.
Pilea prefers temperatures up to 25 degrees. It is undesirable for most species to lower the temperature below 20 degrees. Drafts for Pilea are also contraindicated, especially in winter.
Pilea needs to be watered as needed, as soon as the soil on top has dried out, the plant needs to be watered
You can determine the frequency of watering by looking at the soil in which the Pilea grows. If the top layer has dried slightly, then the time has come. In winter, it is worth waiting 1-2 days before watering when the soil is dry. Pilea will tolerate drought better than overwatering. When the soil is waterlogged, especially in winter, the leaves may begin to turn pale and wither. It is better to take soft, settled water at room temperature for irrigation.
The plant loves high humidity, but do not spray it, as this can harm the leaves. It is better to place the pot in trays with expanded clay or sand that are filled with water. In this case, the bottom of the pot should not touch the water. You can also place containers with wet moss and sand or water near the plant.
Pilea prefers humus soil. You can purchase ready-made mixtures, or you can mix yourself one part of sand and peat soil and two parts of leaf and humus soil. Be sure to use drainage. Pilea also grows well hydroponically.
Feeding is carried out once a week in summer, once a month in winter. Liquid fertilizer for decorative indoor plants is suitable for this purpose.
It is best to replant your Pilea in spring or summer.
Pileas can be replanted annually; it is best to do this in spring or summer. These plants do not need deep pots, as their root system is quite compact. Pots up to 10 cm deep or pallets are ideal. Since Pilea is a plant with disorderly growth, during replanting, young shoots must be plucked and old shoots cut off. You can grow a new flower from the cut shoots. Pilea propagates by seeds or cuttings.
To propagate by cuttings, it is necessary to cut cuttings from old shoots. Their length should be 8-10 cm. It is necessary to rid them of leaves, and then plant them in a pot with sand or loose soil. The pot must be covered with a bag, but so that the cuttings do not touch it, and put in a warm place. After the cuttings will take root, the bag can be removed, and after about a week the pilea can be transplanted into a permanent pot. To obtain a more lush plant, you can plant several cuttings in a pot.
Some species are capable of producing seeds and reproducing by self-sowing.
We recommend watching the video for more details on how to replant Pilea.
Leaves shrink at the Pilea due to high or low room temperature
The main pests include mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites and thrips. Spider mites, like thrips, appear when the air is too dry. If pests are detected, the plant must be washed under hot water, dried well and treated with insecticides. Sometimes it is not easy to detect an infection right away due to the bright color of the pilea, so it is recommended to carefully inspect the plant regularly.
Possible problems when growing Pilea include:
Pilea is a genus of perennials and annuals of the Nettle family. Its natural habitat is the tropical forests of almost the entire planet. Plants are so diverse that it is sometimes difficult to unite them under one name. They are herbaceous and semi-shrub forms with raised or variegated leaves. Caring for Pilea is quite simple. Thanks to its graceful leaves, it captivates with its unusual beauty all year round.
Pilea is a tropical crop grown in our latitudes indoors. The plant, covered with charming decorative foliage, grows no more than 40 cm in height. It forms compact rosettes with branched, straight or creeping stems. The leaves on flexible petioles are arranged oppositely. They have a round, oblong or ovoid shape. There are hairless or pubescent varieties. Depending on the species, leaf size can vary greatly. It ranges from 3 mm in diameter to 5-10 cm in length. The edges of the leaflets are serrated or entire.
In summer, small racemose inflorescences with tiny, inconspicuous flowers bloom in the axils of the leaves. The yellowish, pink or creamy green corollas attract little attention. In sunny weather, just touch the flowers and a small cloud of pollen rises into the air. Pollen is transferred to neighboring plants and pollinates them.
After pollination, small seed pods ripen. An interesting feature of the Pilea is to distribute ripe fruits. They have long sterile stamens, which, under the weight of the ripe fruit, straighten and, like a catapult, throw out seeds over long distances. The fact that fruits spread over a distance of 100 m was recorded.
Pilea is very diverse, there are more than 400 species in the genus. Sometimes they are very different from each other. Some of the types:
An elegant herbaceous plant is distinguished by a strict pattern on its oblong leaves. The leaf blade with serrated edges is dark green. In the central part along the veins there are symmetrical whitish spots. The leaf length reaches 10 cm, and the width is 4-5 cm. Thin flexible shoots are densely covered with glossy foliage and often droop. The decorative variety "minima" is a miniature copy of the Cadieux pilea. It completely copies its shape and color, but is more than 2 times smaller than the main type.
The tiny plant has a dense, erect stem. It bears rounded leaves on long petioles. They are shaped like water lily leaves. The glossy surface is visible through a network of relief veins. The foliage is colored a rich bright green.
The plant has fleshy, erect shoots of a pink or green hue. On the branches close to each other there are many tiny leaves 3-5 mm long. The fleshy, shiny leaves allow light to pass through and are bright green in color. Thanks to them, the plant is very decorative and has an openwork appearance.
The ground cover perennial consists of creeping shoots with miniature soft leaves of a rounded shape. The diameter of the silver-green leaves does not exceed 1 cm. They form a continuous cap and resemble a dense green carpet.
A perennial with lodging shoots grows 20 cm in height. It is distinguished by thickened leaf blades of a light green color. The leaves are dotted with a network of grooves along the veins, so it seems that there are bubbly growths on the leaf. The recesses are shaded burgundy or brown. There are teeth visible along the edge of the leaf, and the end is elongated and pointed.
Pilea can be propagated by seeds and cuttings. It is almost impossible to obtain mature seeds at home, and it is not always possible to get them in stores. Seed material is germinated in containers with sandy-peaty soil. They are deepened by 0.5 cm and the container is covered with film. Entries appear within 3-4 weeks. The plants are thinned out, and when 4 true leaves appear, they are planted in separate pots. For young pili, it is especially important to maintain high air humidity. Without this, they quickly die.
For amateur flower growers, the cutting method is more suitable. Throughout the year, you can cut the tops of shoots 5-8 cm long. Each cutting should have 2-4 pairs of leaves. They root them in water. With the appearance of the first roots, the plants are planted in humus-rich soil with plenty of sand. The cuttings are kept under a hood, but are regularly ventilated. When the flower takes root well and begins to sprout, it is taught to grow without shelter within 10-12 days.
Pilea is planted in small, shallow pots with loose, well-drained soil. The plant prefers neutral or slightly acidic soil. You need to add turf soil, leaf humus, sand and peat to the soil mixture. Be sure to lay a thick layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot. The rhizome of the pilea is located shallow from the surface, so the plant should not be buried too deep. The flower is transplanted in the spring, every 1-2 years.
Lighting. Pilea does not like direct sunlight on its leaves. Partial shade or diffused light is preferred. The flower is placed in the back of the room or on the eastern and western window sills. In summer, pileas are placed outside or on a balcony. A canopy and protection from drafts are required.
Temperature. Pilea does not tolerate heat well; the environment should be moderately warm. It is advisable not to increase the temperature near the plant above +25°C. In winter, it is recommended to keep it cool at a temperature of +16…+18°C.
Humidity. Pileas live in the tropics, so they need high air humidity (65% or higher). At the same time, it is not recommended to spray the crown so as not to damage the leaves. Use trays with water, wet expanded clay or moss, as well as air humidifiers. The soil and leaves should not come into contact with water.
Watering. The top layer of soil should dry out between waterings. At the same time, the roots cannot withstand severe drought. Water the plants with well-purified, soft water. Excess liquid should immediately leave the soil and tray.
Fertilizer. In spring and summer, Pilea actively grows green mass and needs regular feeding. A solution of mineral fertilizer for decorative foliage plants is poured into the ground twice a month. Even in winter, feeding is not stopped completely. Apply half a portion of fertilizer monthly.
Pruning and rejuvenation. Pilea stems grow quite quickly, and their lower part may become bare and lose its attractiveness. To keep the bushes compact, they are regularly pruned, thereby stimulating the formation of side shoots. After 3-4 years, the pilea is rejuvenated. Cuttings are rooted and the old plant is destroyed.
Pilea is sensitive to soil flooding and is easily affected by powdery mildew. It is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations for watering and air humidification. If a grayish coating appears on the leaves and stem, as well as a putrid odor, pruning and treatment with a fungicide are carried out.
If the leaves of the Pilea begin to wrinkle and fall off, it means that the temperature regime in the room is disturbed. It is necessary to increase or decrease the temperature to +20…+25°C. Leaves turn pale and lose their variegated color when the light is too bright. With a lack of light, the leaves become smaller and the shoots become very elongated.
