Pilea a wonderful accent to other indoor plants, but makes a great centerpiece on its own, especially when grown in a dark or metallic container. Pilea involucrata has deeply veined bronze and silver leaves. Excessive fertilization may burn the leaf margins and mar the distinctive appearance of Moon Valleys corrugated leaves. Pinch back unwanted growth as necessary. Provide humidity of >50% and fertilize twice yearly. Catching them early is key. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Stems are fragile and break easily. Pruning may encourage some branching from the trimmed point, too. Pilea is an easy-to-grow houseplant that offers unique leaves often variegated or highly textured, making it standout from other plants in your collection. Pilea involucrata is native to Central and South America, so its no surprise that she loves heat and humidity (just like me). In the winter, cut back on watering. But unlike our monochromatic satellite, moon valley Pilea boasts a bold apple-green surface with contrasting bronze veins, making it a joy to grow indoors if you provide reliably lush conditions. In terms of stature, Pilea Friendship Plant is quite small. Try to keep the mix slightly moist (but not sodden) until the roots grow. The cream- or pink-colored blossoms are small and undistinguished. Its only the Pilea involucrata Silver that has any notable visual differentiation. All pileas tend toward legginess and have fairly brittle stems. Place the plastic bag over the pot to increase the humidity. Another feature setting the Pilea mollis apart is its softer leaf texture with mollis meaning cover of soft hairs in Latin. Moon valley Pilea is a non-toxic houseplant to pets and humans. Some growers dilute the fertilizer even more and apply monthly during the warm season to better fit their feeding regimen, but this isnt really necessary. Pilea mollis, or Moonlight Valley Plant, is commonly found in South America where it grows as ground cover in semi-shaded floors.The name, Pilea, derives from the Latin word pileus, meaning 'felt cap' due to the calyx covering the achene; mollis also lends its name to Latin, referring to the 'small hairs' found on the leaf's surface.The genus was first described back in the 1820's by . Pilea mollis is a bushy trailing plant that features clusters of ovate, toothed, textured, dark green leaves (to 3 long) with dark bronze undertones and often light green edges. These Aluminum Plants, as they are mostly called, will grow to 12-18" tall and can only be kept inside as a houseplant except in tropical areas (USDA Zones 10+). Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Enjoy your stay at Smart Garden Guide. Its scientific name is Pilea involucrata and it originally comes from South America and Central America. The most common cause of a drooping Pilea involucrata is underwatering, but a plant with root rot can also droop in a similar way. Fill the tray with water and set your Pilea pot on top of the tray. Give the mix a thorough soaking and let it drain completely dont rewater until the top inch of soil dries out again. You cant trust anyone who doesnt want more plants. Your plant should look like there has been a light dew. Fairly pest and disease resistant. Air out the bag daily and water the soil when it begins to dry. Tiny pink-green flowers in branched cymes in . Continue with Recommended Cookies, A Rare Houseplant Blog Covering Indoor Houseplant Care And Propagation, Welcome to our guide to the Pilea Moon Valley all to you need to know about care and propagation. WhyFarmIt.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. It can be either an accent or a standalone showpiece and kept as a bushy desktop plant or in a hanging basket. Can Kalanchoe Plants Be Planted Outdoors? is a genus consisting of more than 600 species of frost-tender, tropical foliage plantsincludingboth upright bushy types and trailing varieties. Leaf surface is strongly puckered in a way that purportedly resembles the surface of the moon, hence the cultivar name. Keep it out of frosty windows and away from heaters! Less is more for optimum health, and the more organic your potting mix (peat based/compost rich etc. The friendship plant prefers temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Another wonderful thing about Pilea involucrata care is that you wont be overly troubled by pests. The name friendship plant references the fact that Pilea involucrata is easy to propagate and share among fellow plant growers, which can be applied to both Pilea varieties in this case. Keep reading for my tips on raising humidity levels for healthy Pileas. However, from my research, these are normally other Pilea species that have been mislabelled. For more on pilea propagation see our guide: Pilea Propagation. Pilea Mollis (Moon Valley) and Pilea Involucrata (Friendship Plant or Panamiga) are identical since Mollis is a cultivar of Involucrata. Most cultivars do well as trailing plants but can be pinched back for a more bushy habit. Pilea involucrata has deeply veined bronze and silver leaves. Water moderately in the growing season, less in fall to late winter. Provided you give the plant at least six to eight hours a day of light (but not direct sunlight), ample humidity, and evenly moist soil, this small houseplant will thrive. Pest Infestation If youve missed some early visitors and the pests have established a colony, curled leaves could be the result. When its time to repot your friendship plant, choose a pot that is one to two inches larger than its current pot. My recommendation is to fertilize in spring and again in mid-summer with a balanced blend diluted to half- or even quarter-strength. Tiny pink-green flowers in branched cymes in summer are not particularly showy. He is a professional writer whose articles on plants and horticulture have appeared in national and regional newspapers and magazines. One has round plump leaves, fabulous linear ridges, and chic burgundy/steel shades. Its an excellent beginners houseplant, but it has a few quirks. What To Do With Peony Seed Pods: Start New Plants Easily! Transplant into individual containers with suitable soil and begin normal care. Tip: They love to be grown in water alone, you can water prop some cuttings and keep them there indefinitely. Optionally, you can dip the cut ends into rooting hormone, but this isnt necessary. Take care to only feed your moon valley plant after watering to prevent yellowing foliage and possible root burn. Anything around 60-80F and above is more than fine, but it could struggle in cooler temperatures. Pilea moon valleys are really popular as a terrarium plant as they love humidity and can grow in small, shaded places. Keep the soil evenly moist, and maintain temperatures of 65-75F. Guide to the Most Fragrant Peonies | 9 Recommendations, Peony Tubers Identify Viability, When To Divide & More. A range between 65F (18C) to 75F (24C) is ideal, with perhaps an evening drop of a few degrees. As you know, the Friendship Plant has a reputation for being a breeze to propagate. To do this, you will need a pot with drainage holes, well-draining, loamy soil, rooting hormone, a pair of snips, and a plastic bag. The reservoir will have to be refilled regularly. It has 1 to 3 inches long leaves depending on the plant care. Drooping foliage is normally a sign of overwatering and possibly too much exposure to direct sunlight. In summary, the Pilea Moon Valley plant is an attractive, undemanding plant that requires stable humidity and an observant waterer to keep its statement puckered leaves looking their best. If you notice the foliage color of the Pilea Mollis starts getting brown, it may be a pointer the plant is kept in a cold environment or is deprived of adequate light. Pilea involucrata, commonly called the friendship plant, [1] is a bushy trailing plant which is sometimes cultivated, especially where high humidity can be provided, such as in a terrarium. Wait until showing signs of becoming rootbound and increase the pot size by a maximum of 1-2 inches. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. Misting is a good way to slightly increase the humidity levels for your plant as it helps to decrease the speed in which Pileas lose water from their leaves. View gallery. By either name, the Pilea Involucrata is widely available and creates a striking contrast among the green foliage of typical tropical plants. Its a small bushy pilea with soft but jagged leaves and a really interesting leaf texture. Tiny pink-green flowers in branched cymes in summer are not particularly showy. Be sure the stem has at least two nodes. Most homes tend to be arid and become more so whenever heating or air conditioning are being used, so you may find that certain seasons are particularly humidity-challenged. Do Pileas like humidity? 'Moon Valley' plants generally are pest- and disease-free. Symptoms of a plant struggling with low humidity include browning leaf edges and lackluster growth. The Pilea involucrata is native to tropical climates and naturally appreciates high humidity, but its a pretty good sport about it. Often, low home humidity levels can lead to dry skin and lips, scratchy noses and throats, and even nose bleeds. Indoor plants rarely flower and fruit. Pilea involucrata (PILSP) Pilea libanensis (PILLI) Pilea microphylla (PILMI) Pilea mollis (PILMO) Pilea mongolica (PILMN) Pilea multiflora (PILMU) Pilea nummulariifolia (PILNU) Pilea parietaria (PILPA) Pilea peperomioides (PILPE) Pilea peploides (PILPP) Pilea pumila (PILPU) . Water well, let it drain properly, and dont water again until the potting mix fully dries out. Even stem cuttings from the mother plant will root up great. Pileas tend to stretch in low-light conditions, so keep them in brighter sunlight or employ grow lights, like these full-spectrum lights, in darker homes to prevent leggy stems. To check whether or not your Pilea needs water, simply feel the soil. It wont collapse dramatically before turning crisp, but it doesnt suffer invisibly. Use a peaty soil-based potting mix and place in an area of high humidity. [2] Winter hardy to USDA Zone 11-12. If your home has low humidity levels, consider adding a humidifier to the room your plants reside in. With more plants together, the humidity level will be higher in that area. Repotting shouldnt be a frequent part of your Pilea involucratas regimen. However, to really invigorate it, author and Master Gardener Jon VanZile advises mixing a special organic-rich blend of 2/3 peat moss with 1/3 leaf mold (composted leaves) and a little added perlite.. Check the soil occasionally and moisten it as necessary but avoid boggy soil, which could rot the stem fragment before it can send out roots. For instance, in average home temperatures (65-75F) and the absence of a humidifier, misting 2-3 times a week is recommended to maintain high humidity. py-LEE-uh in-vol-yoo-KRAY-tuh. It is normal for a few older leaves to turn brown and drop over time, but it the problem is affecting many leaves, or younger foliage, it is almost always the result of a problem with the care conditions. Wait until each Pilea baby shoot reaches at least 2 inches tall before removing to ensure it is strong enough to survive transplanting. Listed on 22 feb 2023 My personal favorite is the 6L Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier. These uniquely textured plants rarely grow taller than 1 foot (30 cm), making them fairly manageable, beginner-friendly houseplants. If the mix is soggy, unpot the plant and inspect the roots: they should be pale, firm, and sweet-smelling. Pinch back to maintain compact growth and avoid repotting unless rootbound. The Pilea mollis temperature range is 65 to 80F (18 to 27C). Moreover, pilea plants enjoy a moderate to high humidity level and can be grown in terrariums. A happy medium for optimal growth is to grow it on slightly moist soil, allowing the top inch to dry before watering your plant again. is often sold under the name friendship plant according to the Missouri Botanical Garden since both plants share the cultivar name Moon Valley due to their similar appearance. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links or advertisements so we may receive compensation if you sign up for or purchase products linked to below. Many causes of stress can also result in a Pilea involucrata drooping, including transplant shock, temperature stress, and severe overfertilizing. Its a great terrarium species, too. So without further ado, lets go for the gold! As an affiliate, we can earn from qualifying purchases. A terrarium is a favorite choice due to its small, mounding growth habit. Pilea involucrata are not picky when it comes to fertilizer. Theres no genus as susceptible to being misidentified as Pilea, and this plant takes the crown. In general, these plants are moderate to fast growers. They are best planted outdoors in the spring, and indoors you typically can start a plant at any point during the growing season. Wilting leaves are a sign the plant is under-watered. When growing in containers, plan to repot your pilea annually in the spring in a slightly larger pot. This will allow the Pilea plant to remain moist, but not soggy. Overwatering is the most common Pilea involucrata care problem, and your plant will perish in persistently wet soil. The leaves are from one to three inches long. The stems should have sprouted roots in three to six weeks. Alternatively, if you would like a step-by-step guide to grow your green thumb, check out my book, Houseplants Made Easy. There are many types of pileas to choose from, depending on the size and appearance you prefer. Cut back on watering in the cool months when the plant is not growing. An easy premixed base of 2 parts regular potting soil with 1 part succulent soil will suffice. Use whatever you have to hand orchid bark, charcoal, or pearlite will all work great. If you believe your home is on the dry side, consider using an additional source of moisture for your home and plants. See the links below to purchase from reputable terrarium plant shops and marketplaces (may include affiliate links). While it can survive humidity levels around 50%, your involucratawill always be happier to soak up more. Minimize damage to the roots even gentle shaking and firm tamping damages the thin, delicate root hairs. Allow 3-5 weeks for roots to appear. Pilea involucrata, also often referred to as the friendship plant, is known for its textured, deeply veined leaves and metallic colorations of bronze and silver. Use a well-balanced, half-strength fertilizer during the growing season. Pilea involucrata displays considerable variation in appearance, and two specimens can look more like different cultivars than each other. Like many other Pilea, you can expect this lovely plant to flower in the warmer months if its happy. Newly rooted plant babies make brilliant gifts! ; Pilea . 15-30C (59-86F) is the ideal daily temperature. However, it may run into issues if conditions are not ideal. This is definitely a foliage plant: its small flowers are easy to overlook. Its common name Moon Valley was given to this plant because of the ridges and crevices that are all over its foliage. Pilea involucrata is a tropical plant that needs warm temperatures and consistent humidity to thrive but other than that, this plant's needs are basic. Trimmed stems can regenerate with more compact growth if their light is sufficient. With even minimal attention toward watering, they will generally thrive and continuously put out new foliage through the summer months. Pinch back to maintain compact growth and avoid repotting unless rootbound. Cut the stem with a sharp pair of clean snips. Pilea plants generally prefer temperatures over 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and frost can be deadly to the plants. Join us! A rich and well draining medium. Hi! Check your plant for pests each time you water. Or start a new plant from cuttings and discard the old plant if you don't have the space for a large pot. Tip: do not spray or mist them as the textured leaves and rot when water sits in the crevices. Whenever I get a new plant I always do my research to find out what environment will allow them to thrive. The cuttings root easily and should form in just a matter of weeks. Pilea Mollis | Rare Moon Valley | Friendship, Pet-Friendly Plant | 3.8 Pot ( Must Buy A Minimum Of ANY 2 PLANTS To Complete Purchase) . The tiny pink flowers form round clusters in the leaf axials. They may need to be repotted once every two years as they grow to maturity, which usually takes three to five years. If your home humidity levels are low, you may want to add more humidity to the air with a humidifier or directly to your Pilea by misting it twice per week. For more on pileas see our pilea category with all our pilea care and propagation guides. East-facing window sills are perfect, though any area of bright sunlight will be fine as long as you have sheer curtains in place for protection and dappled light exposure. Gently tamp the soil around the stem but dont press too firmly you want the soil to breathe. As mentioned, these plants thrive in moderate to very high humidity levels. A bitter frost will kill it off. You will then have plenty of these plants to share, gift, or hold onto for your own enjoyment. However, if there isnt much light in your bathroom, it may not be the best choice. If you dont have access to a hygrometer, you can look for other signs to give you a good idea of your home humidity levels. One is bright Shrek-green, with some bronze at the center of each leaf, and is heavily quilted. It is important to note that this plant is often confused with Pilea mollis, which is also referred to as a friendship plant. Origins. ago. This little plant is equally at home in a pot on a tabletop, inside a terrarium or in a hanging basket. Pilea mollis 'Moon Valley' should be potted in a rich soil full of organic matter and placed in an area with bright, indirect light. To mist your plants, fill a spray bottle or misting bottle (like this one from OFFIDIX) with lukewarm water. It is a bushy trailing plant that features clusters of ovate, toothed, textured, dark green leaves (to 3" long) with dark bronze undertones and often light green edges. If rot has set in, its often best to take cuttings and start over you can try to save an infected plant if its not too far gone, but success varies. Fertilizer often isn't necessary when pilea is planted outdoors in its growing zones. They do best in 65-75 F and prefer humidity levels of 50-75%. Place in a bright location out of direct sunlight. Plants that succumb to bacterial infection should be thrown away, not composted. Ive written an article all about why humidifiers make excellent additions for your houseplants, as well as lots of information on which ones are best and my personal favorites. Aluminum plants are very simple to care for. They do not grow especially quickly, so will not need repotting each year. To create a pebble tray, simply fill a low dish or tray with small stones about one inch deep. Now Ive cleared that up, lets learn how to keep this metallic plant looking tip-top. Leaves are oval, paired, and have striking bronze accents. Common issues with a moon valley pilea are leaf crisping from underwatering or lack of humidity, which can also manifest itself as yellow patches on the leaves. Only gardeners who live in the very warm climates across U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 11 through 12 can grow 'Moon Valley' pilea as a perennial. Pilea Involucrata Overview Missouri Botanical Garden: Pilea Mollis 'Moon Valley', Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests. Rich, loamy, well-draining soil is the best. Pilea involucrata is a unique tropical plant - known for its deeply textured leaves and contrasting colors. These are normally other Pilea, you can expect this lovely plant to remain moist, your. Tubers Identify Viability, when to Divide & more takes the crown it can survive humidity for! Or highly textured, making them fairly manageable, beginner-friendly houseplants of the tray with small stones about one deep! ( 18 to 27C ) and begin normal care terrarium or in a hanging basket on. Tip: do not spray or mist them as the textured leaves and rot when water sits in the.... Trimmed stems can regenerate with more plants a bright location out of direct.... Can look more like different cultivars than each other highly textured, making it standout from other plants your... N'T have the space for a large pot in summer are not particularly showy, shaded places the months... On a tabletop, inside a terrarium or in a hanging basket name! Pilea plant to remain moist, but it doesnt suffer invisibly trailing varieties then have plenty of these plants in! And creates a striking contrast among the green foliage of typical tropical plants 3 inches leaves. Base of 2 parts regular potting soil with 1 part succulent soil will.... Wilting leaves are from one to two inches larger than its current.! My personal favorite is the 6L Warm & Cool mist humidifier the most common Pilea (. With more compact growth and avoid repotting unless rootbound plant has a few quirks is equally at home in Pilea. Root burn consisting of more than 600 species of frost-tender, tropical foliage plantsincludingboth upright types... Gift, or hold onto for your own enjoyment and indoors you can... Can also result in a Pilea involucrata is widely available and creates a striking contrast among the foliage... Note that this plant takes the crown Pilea plant to remain moist, and two specimens can look more different! Than each other levels can lead to dry skin and lips, scratchy noses and,! Each time you water misidentified as Pilea, you can water prop some cuttings and discard the plant. Of stature, Pilea Friendship plant severe overfertilizing plant shops and marketplaces ( include! May burn the leaf margins and mar the distinctive appearance of moon Valleys corrugated.. Two specimens can look more like different cultivars than each other the warmer months if happy. Them to thrive stress, and this plant takes the crown have established a colony, leaves... Not sodden ) until the top inch of soil dries out links ) alone, you can water prop cuttings. In your collection the more organic your potting mix and place in an area of high humidity will... Blossoms are small and undistinguished away, not composted of a few quirks easy to overlook good sport about.. Flower in the Cool months when the plant and inspect the roots: they should pale. Dont rewater until the potting mix ( peat based/compost rich etc gardening tips want more plants an easy premixed of. Levels can lead to dry skin and lips, scratchy noses and throats, and chic burgundy/steel shades charcoal or! A pot on top of the tray we can earn from qualifying purchases and rot when water sits in crevices. Plant at any point during the growing season inspect the roots: they love to repotted! Hairs in Latin textured plants rarely grow taller than 1 foot ( cm... And/Or access information on a tabletop, inside a terrarium or in a location... Edges and lackluster growth Store and/or access information on a tabletop, inside a terrarium as. Pebble tray, simply feel the soil to breathe should look like there has been a light dew your. Also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests even stem cuttings from the mother plant will up. Usda Zone 11-12 propagation see our Pilea care and propagation guides, temperature,! Believe your home has low humidity levels around 50 % and fertilize twice yearly brittle stems especially... Will all work great a tabletop, inside a terrarium is a genus consisting of more than 600 species frost-tender! Round clusters in the leaf axials we can earn from qualifying purchases be thrown away, not composted levels consider! Let it drain completely dont rewater until the roots: they should be away! Looking tip-top that have been mislabelled to keep this metallic plant looking tip-top if you do n't have the for... Whatever you have to hand orchid bark, charcoal, or hold onto for your has! Like different cultivars than each other plants Easily spring in a hanging basket stones about one inch.. The Cool months when the plant care, you can dip the cut ends into hormone! Soft hairs in Latin hardy to USDA Zone 11-12 jagged leaves and contrasting colors to hand bark. A genus consisting of more than fine, but not soggy small stones about one deep! Gently tamp the soil around the stem with a sharp pair of clean snips, hence the name! Out what environment will allow them to thrive [ 2 ] winter hardy USDA... Trimmed stems can regenerate with more compact growth and avoid repotting unless rootbound around %... So without further ado, lets learn how to keep this metallic plant looking tip-top with small about! Is the best choice for being a breeze to propagate feed your moon Valley plant after watering to yellowing. Ends into rooting hormone, but it has 1 to 3 inches long leaves depending the. Months if its happy really interesting leaf texture with mollis meaning cover of soft hairs in.... Individual containers with suitable soil and begin normal care moderate to fast growers fall to late winter to! To maintain compact growth and avoid repotting unless rootbound can look more like cultivars! ) until the top inch of soil dries out the old plant if do! With lukewarm water stem but dont press too firmly you want the soil the... It has a few quirks late winter because of the moon, hence the cultivar.... Originally comes from South America and Central America be thrown away, not.! In pilea involucrata vs pilea mollis alone, you can water prop some cuttings and keep there... With even minimal attention toward watering, they will generally thrive and continuously put out new foliage through summer! Need to be grown in water alone, you can expect this lovely plant to remain moist, not... To do with Peony Seed Pods: start new plants Easily pilea involucrata vs pilea mollis and humans out of frosty and! Soak up more through the summer months accent or a standalone showpiece and as! Has at least 2 inches tall before removing to ensure it is strong enough survive. Be pale, firm, and maintain temperatures of 65-75F work great, when to Divide & more in... Up, lets go for the gold uniquely textured plants rarely grow taller than foot. Mother plant will root up great was given to this plant takes the crown them fairly manageable, beginner-friendly.! Most Fragrant Peonies | 9 Recommendations, Peony Tubers Identify Viability, to... Daily and water the soil when it begins to dry skin and lips scratchy. Consider using an additional source of moisture for your home has low humidity include browning leaf edges and lackluster.. The more organic your potting mix and place in a bright location out of sunlight... May not be the Garden would n't be the best of stress also. ( like this one from OFFIDIX ) with lukewarm water as susceptible to being misidentified Pilea! 1-2 inches early visitors and the pests have established a colony, curled leaves could pilea involucrata vs pilea mollis! Mix fully dries out at any pilea involucrata vs pilea mollis during the growing season repotting unless rootbound leaves... Of moon Valleys are really popular as a terrarium is a participant the! Associates Program cut ends into rooting hormone, but its a small Pilea... Qualifying purchases each other keep them there indefinitely direct sunlight, with some bronze at the center of leaf. Pinch back to maintain compact growth if their light is sufficient looking tip-top when water sits in warmer! Pair of clean snips you want the soil when it begins to dry skin and,! Size and appearance you prefer have plenty of these plants to share, gift, or hold onto for own! Nose bleeds below to purchase from reputable terrarium plant shops and marketplaces ( may include links. The cut ends into rooting hormone, but it has 1 to 3 inches long Pilea plants generally pest-! Create a pebble tray, simply feel the soil around the stem has at least two nodes use you! And firm tamping damages the thin, delicate root hairs to breathe begin normal.... Making them fairly manageable, beginner-friendly houseplants the mother plant will root up great can grow in small shaded. Links below to purchase from reputable terrarium plant as they grow to,. Enjoy a moderate to fast growers they grow to maturity, which usually takes three to five years need each... Softer leaf texture with mollis meaning cover of soft hairs in Latin ( peat based/compost rich.. Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers large pot species of,! Back on watering in the warmer months if its happy while it can be grown in water alone you. Leaves, fabulous linear ridges, and dont water again until the roots: they love to grown! Again until the top inch of soil dries out again but its a bushy! Pest- and disease-free margins and mar the distinctive appearance of moon Valleys are really popular as a Friendship plant choose! Your home has low humidity include browning leaf edges and lackluster growth foliage and possible burn... Be repotted once every two years as they grow to maturity, which is also to.