Watermelon Pilea Pilea cadierei

A tropical plant that can be grown indoors in a warm, humid environment in bright indirect light, avoiding full sun, using a peaty soil-based potting mix. This plant does best in high humidity and will appreciate humidified rooms or placement on a bed of wet pebbles. Water moderately in the growing season, and reduce watering in fall to late winter. Pinch stem tips to keep plant compact. The best foliage is on new plants, therefore, some replace plants each year by taking cuttings in early spring to start new plants. 

The common name, aluminum plant, comes from the foliage looking like it has been splashed with aluminum paint. This upright, herbaceous perennial is noted for its textured green and silver foliage. It typically grows in a shrubby clump to 12” tall. Elliptic to obovate, toothed, dark green leaves, with each leaf having four rows of upraised silver patches. Leaf appearance gives rise to an additional common name of watermelon pilea. 

Quick ID Hints:

• upright, clumping, evergreen herbaceous perennial, grows from 6 to 12 inches tall
• elliptic to obovate, 2 to 4 inches long, serrate margins, shiny, dark green leaves with four rows of silver patches
• tiny green cymes but rarely flowers as a houseplant

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs, scale, aphids, and spider mites. Overwatering or poor drainage will commonly cause root rot. In high humidity or poor circulation, powdery mildew can occur.