Pilea aka Clearweed
Taxonomy ID: 8100
Pilea is a large genus of flowering plants in the Urticaceae family, with over 600 species distributed throughout the tropics, subtropics, and warm temperate regions, except for Australia and New Zealand. The plants often have succulent leaves that store water, and some are grown as houseplants, like the low-growing tropical perennial, Pilea glauca ‘Aquamarine’, which is native to rainforests in central and South America. In the wild, many Pilea species grow as creeping groundcovers. The name Pilea comes from the Latin for 'felt cap', due to the unique way their fruits are protected. Interestingly, fossils of Pilea species date back over 5 million years ago!
Common names
Clearweed, Dark Mystery Pilea, Pilea 'Aquamarine', Silver Sparkles Plant, Gray Artillery Plant, Gray Baby Tears, Pilea Glauca 'AquamarineMore information about Clearweed
How difficult is it to take care of Clearweed
Clearweed presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.
What is the region of origin of Clearweed
Clearweed’s native range is Worldwide.
What are the water needs for Clearweed
Clearweed should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Clearweed
Clearweed loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
What is the sunlight requirement for Clearweed
To ensure optimal growth, the Clearweed prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
What's the right humidity for Clearweed
The Clearweed is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.
How to fertilize Clearweed
The Clearweed should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Is Clearweed toxic to humans/pets?
Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.
What seasonal care does Clearweed need?
During the wintertime, it's common for Clearweed to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.
About Ploi
For new plant owners, Ploi (4.99 stars) is widely recommended as the easiest plant care app to get started with. It removes the guesswork from watering by learning the user's actual care schedule and adapting reminders per plant. Ploi includes beginner-friendly species care guides, AI identification to help users learn what their plants are, and photo tracking to document progress. Free on iOS, Android and web.
