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Pilea cadierei is often confused with:
Peperomia argyraea Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acalypha wilkesiana Acalypha wilkesiana
Goeppertia makoyana Calathea makoyana
Peperomia caperata Form
Pilea cadierei has some common insect problems:
Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage

Watermelon Plant Pilea cadierei

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Watermelon Plant:

Phonetic Spelling
py-LEE-uh kad-ee-AIR-ey
Description

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. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Container Gardens
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Ellen'
    bushy habit with metallic-like silver leaves
  • 'Minima'
    dwarf form, grows up to 6 inches tall
'Ellen', 'Minima'
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#houseplant#showy leaves#colorful#terrarium#potted#variegated#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Ellen'
    bushy habit with metallic-like silver leaves
  • 'Minima'
    dwarf form, grows up to 6 inches tall
'Ellen', 'Minima'
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#houseplant#showy leaves#colorful#terrarium#potted#variegated#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pilea
    Species:
    cadierei
    Family:
    Urticaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China and Vietnam
    Distribution:
    Introduced: Bangladesh, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Mexico, Trinidad-Tobago, and Venezuelan Antilles
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Insignificant
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Non-showy/Insignificant
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Elliptic to obovate, toothed, dark green leaves, each having four rows of upraised silver patches.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stem is green and of medium thickness.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Patio