Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus) Pilea nummulariifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Adicea nummulariifolia
- Utrica nummulariifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- py-LEE-uh num-yoo-lay-ree-ih-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Small green achenes
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Problems:
- Weedy
