How to grow and care for Pilea peperomioides
plant care guide about watering, fertilizing, trimming, repotting, cutting, propagating Pilea peperomioides
Pilea peperomioides 101 - Plant Care Instructions
Bright direct light
20C° ~25C°
Every 7 days
Growth Observation wiki
sowing
cormlet
cutting
hydroponic propagation
transplant
vegetative
molting
new leaf
💬 Gardener's know-how
Botany Encyclopedia
Genus : Pilea
😵 Toxicity
Non-toxic and safe for pets and children.
Species : Pilea peperomioides
🔖 Care Tips
Hydroponic cultivation is possible. 1. Gently shake off the soil to avoid damaging the roots and secure them with materials like hydro balls for more stable growth. 2. Submerge only 50-60% of the roots in water to allow them to breathe. 3. Use tap water that has been left out for a day, and opt for an opaque container instead of a transparent one. (Transparent containers can cause temperature fluctuations due to light, which is harmful to the roots.) 4. Change the water every 7-14 days for maintenance.
🏝️ Habitat Conditions
It primarily inhabits southern China, where the climate is mostly cool and mountainous. Therefore, it adapts more easily to cool environments than to high temperatures.
🪨 Soil Mix
It is best to plant in well-draining soil. A common mix ratio is 40% potting soil, 20% bark, 20% leaf mold, 10% perlite, and 10% charcoal. This can vary depending on conditions and environment.
🌡️ Environment
Temperature: Maintain 18~25℃, with a minimum of 10℃. In freezing temperatures, leaves and stems die, but if the underground roots survive, new leaves will grow in spring.
👀 Characteristics details
To encourage larger leaves, expose the plant to indirect light for extended periods rather than direct sunlight.
☀️ Light
It is better for the plant to receive indirect light for extended periods rather than direct sunlight. While it can adapt to low light conditions, the leaves may become elongated and smaller.
💧 Water
This plant prefers water, so water it when the surface soil dries out. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to waterlogging. Drooping leaves indicate a lack of water, so it's best to water immediately. As a CAM plant, it's better to water it at night rather than during the day.
🌱 Propagate
This plant has a high success rate for propagation and easily produces many stems. For propagation, use sterilized tools to cut 10-20 cm branches at an angle, dry them for 3-4 hours, and then place them in soil or water. 1. For water propagation, avoid transparent containers, place the stem in water, and add hydroponic fertilizer once roots appear. When roots are 5-7 cm long, transfer to soil. 2. For soil propagation, plant deeply in soil without fertilizer. After propagation, avoid exposing the plant to bright light. Gradually increase light exposure to help it adapt. Maintain high humidity and a temperature of 20-25°C.
🪴 Repot
Repot every 1-2 years due to fast growth.
💊 Fertilize
Use fertilizer once during spring and summer, following the recommended amount, to see more vigorous growth.
🌺 Flower
The blooming period is from spring to summer, lasting about 2-4 weeks. It generally requires a low temperature of around 10°C to bloom. Since most flowers are not showy, the flower stalk is often removed to redirect nutrients to the leaves.
water
How to water Pilea peperomioides
💬 Gardener's know-how
How often should I water?
check Pilea peperomioides Every 7 days if it needs water when it’s very cold (below 5℃), water less frequently
When do I need to water?
the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry
Light & Location
How much light does a Pilea peperomioides need?
Bright direct light
Bright indirect light
Medium
Grow light
Light preference
Pilea peperomioides likes Bright direct light, Bright indirect light, Medium, Grow light day. The brighter the space, the better this plant grows.
Check if there’s an optimal place in your house!
This plant prefers
800 ~ 20K lux to thrive!
0
20K~
800
20K
Temperature
Houseplants
-15
20~25℃
45
Plants that grow in the wild and those that grow indoors prefer different temperatures. If you grow Pilea peperomioides at home, make sure the temperature is 20~25℃.
Humidity
Ideal humidity
0
40~70%
100
Pilea peperomioides prefers humidity about 40~70%. If necessary, increase humidity by misting, humidifier.
Fertilize
💬 Gardener's know-how
Collective Knowhow
When should I fertilize?
Only when your plant is healthy
How frequently should I fertilize?
1-2 times in growing season. A pinch for a small pot.
Soil Mix
💬 Gardener's know-how
Characteristic
The taxonomic classification of Pilea peperomioides is as follows. - Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Rosales, Family: Urticaceae, Genus: Pilea, Species: Pilea peperomioides
| Characteristic Name | Characteristic Value |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Asia |
| Taxonomy Name | Taxonomy Value |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Urticaceae |
| Genus | Pilea |
| Species | Pilea peperomioides |
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