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Creeping Charlie Pilea nummulariifolia

Other plants called Creeping Charlie:

Previously known as:

  • Adicea nummulariifolia
  • Utrica nummulariifolia
Phonetic Spelling
py-LEE-uh num-yoo-lay-ree-ih-FOH-lee-uh
Description

Creeping Charlie is a herbaceous perennial with a low-growing, creeping, or groundcover habit that is a member of the Urticaceae or nettle family. It is often grown indoors as a houseplant in a hanging basket or container. When planted outside it is considered weedy.  Each oval leaf is bright to glossy medium green with small scalloped edges. Veins appear to be sunken giving the interveinal sections a puffy, crinkled look. The flowers are white to pinkish but are insignificant. Sprawling fleshy stems can root at the nodes where stems contact soil so it can be quite weedy. If planting outdoors, do so in protected frost-free areas or use as a bedding or a container annual.  

This plant does best in semi-shade and consistently moist fertile well-drained soils in a humid environment. As a houseplant, provide water when the top 1 inch is dry and fertilize monthly from spring to fall.

Consider Creeping Charlie for a hanging basket or as a trailing plant in a mixed container for your home. It is easy to grow and fast growing. 

Quick ID HInts:

  • creeping, trailing, low-growing habit, dense ground cover
  • glossy, bright green round or oval leaves with a deeply crinkled texture
  • small white to pinkish colored blooms

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Intolerant of drought but can also be overwatered causing root rot. Also susceptible to bacterial leaf spot and mealy bugs

 

 

  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#edible plant#high maintenance#hanging baskets#rock garden#garden walls#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#edible plant#high maintenance#hanging baskets#rock garden#garden walls#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    pilea
    Species:
    nummaularifolia
    Family:
    Urticaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The leaves are edible and can be used in teas.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central America to North Venezuela and Peru, and Caribean
    Distribution:
    Native: Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador. El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Windward Islands. Introduced: Bermuda, Cook Island, Hawaii, Taiwan, Trinidad-Tobago
    Edibility:
    Edible leaves
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Small green achenes
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small Insignificant pinkish white flowers that appear as axillary clusters.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Bright green oval leaf with small scalloped edges. Veins appear to be sunken giving the interveinal sections a puffy, crinkly look.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Reddish stems are slender, hairy, and they root at the nodes.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Problems:
    Weedy