Pilea cadierei (Aluminium Plant) Care, Propagation, Common Problems & Remedies
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Pilea cadierei (Aluminium Plant) performs best in bright indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth, high humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Aluminium Plant also called Watermelon Pilea is an evergreen plant which bears dark-green oval leaves, each bearing raised silvery patches and hence the common names. The leaves are generally opposite on the stems and they are clearly divided into petiole and leaf blade.
Its requirement for high humidity, makes Pilea cadierei one of the best plants for a closed terrarium where a constantly humid environment can be maintained.
Botanical name: Pilea cadierei
Family: Urticaceae
Common names: Aluminium Plant, Watermelon Pilea
Origin
Pilea cadierei is native to China and Vietnam. The species name "cadierei" is in honour of the 20th century botanist R.P. Cadiere.
Size
Aluminium Plant is a low growing plant which grows to a height of 1 foot only and about 18 inches wide which places it among the best low-light plants for the limited spaces.
Flower
Pilea cadierei is monoecious which means that the male and the female flowers are on seperate plants.
Toxicity
Pilea cadierei is non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. The plants are among the pet-safe plants that you may grow indoors.
Where to Buy
Aluminium Plants are a great addition to any plant collection, you may acquire them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Pilea cadierei Care Indoors
Pilea cadierei (Aluminium Plant) does well in bright indirect light away from direct sunlight (filtered light), average warmth of 18-260C, high humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Aluminium Plant requires regular pruning to keep the plant neat and to encourage a compact, bushy growth. Repotting is needed annually to provide adequate space for growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Pilea cadierei requires bright indirect light to maintain the leaf color. Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.
Inadequate light will lead to a thin and leggy plant. Therefore, where natural light is not adequate, you may use grow lights to supplement it. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Watering
Water Pilea cadierei thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Growth is minimal during the cold season, therefore, cut down on watering to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Aluminium Plant cannot tolerate soggy soil. Therefore, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and loss of the plant.
Use chlorine-free water only to water the plant as it is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water which cause staining of the beautiful leaves. Read more on how to water houseplants the correct way.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 18-260C with a minimum 150C is ideal for Pilea cadierei. Keep it away from cold drafts to avoid sudden drop in temperature which can cause leaf drop.
Pilea cadierei requires a humidity of 60-70% to thrive. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home. You can also grow the plant in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
Occasionally damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as minimize diseases and pests infestations. Make sure that there is good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Pilea cadierei with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4-5 weeks during the growing period for lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Pilea cadierei should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot a young Pilea cadierei annually at the beginning of the growing season as the extensive root system is known to break the pots if restricted.
Use a pot 1 size larger than the current one and ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy which can result in root-rot. Take a look at these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Pilea cadierei involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and also discourage pests and diseases infestations. To control the height and encourage a bushy, compact growth, pinch off the growing tips. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Propagation
Pilea cadierei (Aluminium Plant) propagation can be done during the growing period from stem cuttings.
How to propagate Pilea cadierei from Stem Cuttings
Take a stem cutting of about 3-5 inches from a healthy Pilea cadierei and ensure it bears at least two sets of leaves. The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone.
Insert the cutting in moist, free-draining soil and place in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges. Allow the new Aluminium Plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
Pilea cadierei Problems
Pilea cadierei (Aluminium Plant) growing problems include brown leaf tips, discolored leaves, leggy growth, shrivelled leaves, leaf spots, yellow leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Pests
Common pests in Pilea cadierei are spider mites and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
Diseases
Pilea cadierei is prone to root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil due to poor drainage of the soil. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plant and treat it appropriately for the disease. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from becoming soggy (too wet).
Brown and shrivelled leaf tips
The cause of brown and shrivelled leaf tips in Pilea cadierei is too dry air (low humidity) especially where the indoor temperatues are very high like in winter. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other moist areas in the home. Check out these techniques on how to increase humidity for indoor plants.
Leggy growth
The cause of leggy growth in Pilea cadierei is too little light. Leggy growth is an attempt by the plant to grow towards the light source as it grows best in bright indirect light. Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light to prevent it from growing towards the light source or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Discolored leaves, brown leaf tips and edges
Inadequate light is the cause of discolored leaves with brown tips and edges in Pilea cadierei as it grows best in bright indirect light (filtered light). Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright, indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting in your home is not sufficient.
Brown leaf spots and yellow leaves
The reason for brown spots and yellow leaves in Pilea cadierei is exposure to direct sunlight. Brown leaf spots are sunscorch marks. Place the plant in a shaded spot away from direct sunlight or shield it from direct sunshine with a light curtain or sheer to prevent the sunscorch marks.
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