Plant Care

★   Pilea

Pilea Peperomioides

They are also known as the Chinese money plant or missionary plant, which originated from the south west of China in a province called Yunnan. It is known to bring good fortune for it's owner which prompted a Scandinavian explorer to bring the cutting of the plant to Europe from china. Nowadays, you can find pilea in most Scandinavian interiors.

Placement

This plant is one of the easiest plants to grow, they are either rare or expensive when found. The best way to acquire this great houseplant is either by asking a friend who has one already or forking a lot of money to buy these cuties. Pilea prefers a bright room with a lot of indirect sunlight, direct sunlight will burn the leaves of the plant. It's best to rotate the position of the plant because they grow towards the light.

Maintenance

Pileas are a low maintainance plant, always aerate your plant soil because this helps release moisture and allows the soil to breath and to prevent overwatering. You can water them once a week but you have to make sure that before watering them that you do a finger check to see if it's at least 2 or 3 inches dry. A well draining potting soil is the best for a pilea and also a pot with a drainage hole. Leaving excessive water to sit at the bottom of the pot would cause root rot. Also, droopy leaves are signs your plant is thirsty. Always make sure to wipe it's long pancake leaves to allow for better photosynthesis. When dusting the leaves watch out for pests living on the underside of the pilea. The growing season is during the winter and you can use an all purpose plant fertilizer that would help it flower beautifully, you can get beautiful white flowers on pink stems. If you have pilea flowers that means that you are doing a great job and you did everything right in taking care of the pilea and you are a great plant parent.

FAQ’S        

★   Is a Pilea plant safe for pets?

★   Why is my younger pilea turning yellow and falling off?

★   How can I avoid over watering?

★   How can I get rid of Pest infestation on my pilea Plant?

Pilea is a non-toxic plant. Its safe for pet and human. Though, consuming the leaves isn’t advisable.

Younger sprouts are susceptible to disease by over-watering. The yellowing of the leaves aren’t only due to watering levels but also nitrogen level. Deficiency in Nitrogen can be resolved by feeding your plant with an all purpose fertilizeror addidng amino-acid supplements to its feeding program.

Over-watering can be easily avoided by using a planting pilea in a pot with drainage hole.

Gnats hide underneath the leaves and also invade soil. Repotting the plant wouldn’t be ideal but treating the plant with an organic insecticide (Neem oil or Silicon dioxide powder). You can also make your own homemade insecticide.

PROPAGATION

Pilea like most plants can be propagated in two ways; either by soil or water.

Water propagation

Once you see little plantlet growing out from the mother plant, you can cut it off almost to its baby root and leave in water. Place in bright spot by the window and after approximately a week, you’ll realize the roots getting longer and bigger. Now you little pilea is ready to venture out on its own.

 Soil Propagation

This has been the most recommended, easiest and fastest way to propagate most plants. Gently uproot the plantlet and put it straight into the soil. Water thoroughly and let it drain. Waa laa, you’ve successfully propagated one of the rarest and expensive plant in the world. Don’t forget to share plantlets with friends.