Pilea nummulariifolia aka Creeping Charlie

Pilea nummulariifolia is a creeping perennial in the nettle family. Common names include creeping pilea and creeping Charlie. Its native range covers Central America and the Caribbean. It also reaches northern Venezuela and Peru in South America. It grows in wet tropical climates. People have introduced it to places beyond this range. These include Bermuda, Hawaii, Taiwan, and the Cook Islands. Gardeners grow it indoors for its trailing stems and leaves.

The plant grows low and spreads into dense ground cover. Its fleshy stems trail over the edges of pots. They form roots at nodes that touch the soil. This lets the plant spread fast across open ground. Slender stems may be green or reddish and bear hairs. The simple leaves grow in pairs along each stem. They are round to oval, with small teeth or scallops. Their green surface can look glossy and feels rough. Sunken veins give the leaf a raised, wrinkled texture. Leaves measure about one to three inches long and wide.

Small flowers appear in spring and summer. They range from white to pale pink. Clusters grow where the leaves meet the stems. Each flower measures less than one inch across. The blooms draw less attention than the textured leaves. Small green achenes form the fruit. Hanging baskets show the trailing growth without needing garden space. The plant also suits mixed containers as a trailing partner. Outdoors, its creeping stems can make a dense ground cover.

Give this plant partial shade or light filtered through foliage. It also tolerates deep shade. It grows best in fertile soil that drains well. Sandy or loamy soil suits it, with a near-neutral pH. Keep the soil moist and provide a humid setting. Indoors, water once the top inch of soil dries. NC State recommends monthly feeding from spring through fall. It lists USDA hardiness zones 10–11 for outdoor growth. Use a sheltered, frost-free site for permanent outdoor planting. In colder places, grow it as a seasonal bedding plant.

Fast growth can make this plant weedy outside. Division and stem cuttings provide ways to grow more plants. Drought harms it, while excess water can cause root rot. Mealybugs and bacterial leaf spot can also cause problems. NC State identifies the leaves as edible for tea. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.