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Panamiga Pilea involucrata

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Pilea pubescens var. involucrata
  • Urtica involucrata
Phonetic Spelling
py-LEE-uh in-vol-yoo-KRAY-tuh
Description

The Friendship Plant is a trailing evergreen perennial that is easy to grow as a houseplant and has uniquely textured ornamental foliage. It is native to Central and South America and is a member of the Urticaceae or nettle family. The leaves are velvety with a crinkled texture, ovate, dark green with bronze tones, usually bright green edges on the upper surface, and the undersides are red. The tiny pinkish-white cymes bloom during the summer, but as a houseplant, they typically do not flower.

The genus name, Pilea, comes from the Latin word pileus which means "cap." This references the shape of the female flowers. The specific epithet, involucrata, translates as "involcre" which describes the whorl or rosette of bracts around the flowers.

Grow indoors in a warm, humid environment in bright indirect light.  Use a peaty soil-based potting mix and place it in an area of high humidity. Water moderately in the growing season, less in fall to late winter. Pinching stem tips will keep the plant in a more compact form.

It is easily propagated from stem cuttings, making sharing with friends a breeze, thus the common name of the friendship plant. Consider using this houseplant in your home or office. It is adored for its easy care, textured leaves, and compact growth habit.

Quick ID Hints:

  • bushy, trailing herbaceous perennial
  • ovate, serrate, crinkled texture, dark green textured leaves with bronze shading and light green edges
  • the undersides of the leaves are usually dark red
  • tiny pinkish-green cymes 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant has no serious pest problems. Some pests could include mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids and mealybugs. Leaf spot and stem rot could occur.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Liner'
    bronze red to nearly black leaves with silver markings
  • 'Moon Valley'
    textured, variegated bronze, burgundy, and green leaves
  • 'Norfolk'
    new leaves are reddish-pink and the become metallic silver with grayish-green veins
  • 'Silver'
    silver leaf with bright green borders and the center is purplish-dark silver
'Liner', 'Moon Valley', 'Norfolk', 'Silver'
Tags:
#houseplant#easy to grow#showy leaves#colorful#pet friendly#interesting leaves#terrarium#easy to propagate#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Liner'
    bronze red to nearly black leaves with silver markings
  • 'Moon Valley'
    textured, variegated bronze, burgundy, and green leaves
  • 'Norfolk'
    new leaves are reddish-pink and the become metallic silver with grayish-green veins
  • 'Silver'
    silver leaf with bright green borders and the center is purplish-dark silver
'Liner', 'Moon Valley', 'Norfolk', 'Silver'
Tags:
#houseplant#easy to grow#showy leaves#colorful#pet friendly#interesting leaves#terrarium#easy to propagate#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pilea
    Species:
    involucrata
    Family:
    Urticaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central America to Peru and the Windward Islands
    Distribution:
    Native: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, Peru, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, and Windward Islands
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Dense
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are small, pinkish-green, and appear in branched cymes. Blooming occurs during the summer; however, indoor houseplants rarely flower.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Velvety
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are ovate and toothed with a quilty-like texture, and measure up to 3 inches long. They are velvety, dark green leaves with bronze undertones and light green edges. The undersides of the leaf are dark red.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio