Pilea aka Clearweed

Taxonomy

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

How to care for Clearweed

Difficulty

Clearweed presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Clearweed should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

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.

Lighting

Clearweed thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Gray Artillery Plant.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Clearweed to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

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.

Humidity

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.

Fertilizer

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.

Region of origin

Clearweed’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia