Aluminium Plant

How to care for Aluminium Plant

Light

Pilea cadierei performs best in bright, indirect light. Direct summer sun bleaches or scorches the distinctive silver markings, while very low light causes the plant to become leggy and the colouring to fade. A position a metre or so back from an east- or west-facing window is ideal. A north-facing windowsill is tolerated but growth will be slow.

Watering

Water moderately during spring and summer, allowing the top centimetre of compost to dry out before watering again. In autumn and winter reduce watering frequency, as the plant's growth slows and overwatering at this time is the most common cause of root rot. Always use room-temperature water and water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal spotting.

Soil and potting

A light, well-draining compost is essential. A peat-free multipurpose mix combined with approximately 20 to 30 per cent perlite or coarse grit works well. Good drainage prevents the waterlogging that the plant is particularly susceptible to. Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0) suits the species.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced, diluted liquid fertiliser (such as a 10-10-10 formulation) every two to four weeks from spring through to late summer. Do not feed in autumn or winter when growth naturally slows. Over-feeding leads to salt build-up in the soil and can cause leaf tip burn; if this occurs, flush the compost thoroughly with plain water.

Humidity and temperature

Pilea cadierei originates from humid tropical forests and prefers humidity of 50 per cent or above. Central heating dries the air considerably, so grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of moist pebbles, or using a room humidifier all help. Temperatures between 15 and 26 degrees C are ideal; the plant should not be exposed to temperatures below 10 degrees C or to cold draughts, both of which cause leaf drop and browning.

Repotting

Repot every one to two years in spring, moving up only one pot size at a time. Pilea cadierei has a relatively shallow, fibrous root system and does not require a deep pot; a wide, shallow pot can be preferable. Refresh the compost fully at each repotting to restore nutrients and improve drainage. The plant often loses vigour after three to four years and is generally best replaced with fresh cuttings rather than kept in very large containers.

Pruning

Regular pinching out of the growing tips encourages a bushier, more compact habit and prevents the plant from becoming straggly, which it tends to do as it matures. Pinch back stems to a node just above a leaf pair using clean fingers or scissors. Remove any yellowed or damaged leaves promptly. A hard cut-back to a few centimetres in spring can rejuvenate an older, leggy specimen.

Is Aluminium Plant toxic?

Common problems

How to propagate

Stem tip cuttings

Take 8 to 10 cm stem tip cuttings just below a node, remove the lower leaves, and insert into moist, gritty compost or a glass of water. Rooting typically occurs within two to four weeks at temperatures above 18 degrees C.

Division

When repotting a mature, clump-forming specimen, gently separate rooted sections from the base of the plant and pot each into its own container with fresh compost. This works best in spring.

Where Aluminium Plant comes from

Native to Vietnam, southern China.

Story and origins

The genus name Pilea derives from the Latin word 'pileus', meaning a felt cap or skullcap, a reference to the shape of the sepals that partially cover the achene (small fruit) in plants of this genus. The species epithet cadierei honours Father Adrien Cadiere, a French missionary and scholar who worked extensively in Vietnam and contributed to the documentation of the country's natural history and culture in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Pilea cadierei was formally described in 1938 by French botanists Albert Guillaumin and Felix Gagnepain, based on specimens collected from the rainforests of Vietnam. It entered the horticultural trade in Europe and North America during the mid-twentieth century and became popular as a houseplant during the 1970s houseplant boom, valued for its bold, patterned foliage that required relatively little care. It remains a common sight in homes and offices across temperate countries, where it is grown almost exclusively for its striking leaves rather than its inconspicuous, small white or pinkish flowers.

Varieties to know

Pilea cadierei 'Minima'

A dwarf cultivar with smaller leaves and a more compact, low-growing habit, well suited to terrariums and small spaces.

Fun facts

• The silvery patches on the leaves are caused by air-filled cavities between the upper epidermis and the layer of cells beneath it, which create a reflective effect rather than any actual metallic pigment.
• Pilea cadierei was first collected by French botanists Albert Guillaumin and Felix Gagnepain in Vietnam in 1938 and formally described the same year.
• The plant belongs to the nettle family Urticaceae, though unlike stinging nettles it bears no stinging hairs and is entirely harmless to handle.
• In suitable outdoor conditions in frost-free climates (USDA zones 11 to 12), Pilea cadierei can spread as a ground cover plant.
• The genus Pilea is one of the largest in the Urticaceae family, comprising over 700 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Aluminium Plant FAQ