Pilea spruceana aka Clearweed

Pilea spruceana belongs to the nettle family, Urticaceae. It is a perennial, so it lives for more than two years. It is evergreen and keeps its leaves all year. Its native range includes the Venezuelan Antilles and Ecuador to Peru. It comes from a wet tropical climate. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Gardeners grow it indoors as a houseplant. It also suits a conservatory or greenhouse. These spaces must have enough warmth and humid air.

This plant forms a bushy clump, not a tall frame. The RHS gives a height of about 1 foot [0.3 metres]. Its listed height in pots reaches 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Its listed spread also reaches 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. These upper sizes help when you plan space for pots. Plants take two to five years to reach full size. The leaves stay on the plant through the year. Its small flowers do not draw much attention.

The leaves give the plant its main appeal. Each leaf has an oval shape and deep puckers. Sunken veins add to the uneven leaf surface. Round scallops edge each leaf, so its outline is not smooth. The leaves have a very dark reddish green colour. Broad grey and silver bands cross this dark base. The light and dark shades make the marks stand out. They also draw the eye to the leaf surface. Indoors, the leaves give more of a show than flowers.

Grow it in peat-free potting compost that drains well. Keep the compost moist, but do not let it stay waterlogged. The RHS lists both sandy and loamy mixes for growth. It accepts acid, neutral and alkaline conditions. Give it shade and keep it out of hot sun. It needs high humidity, or moist air, to grow well. Pick a sheltered spot for any time outside in summer. Its RHS hardiness rating is H1B. This means it suits outdoor use in summer. The stated temperature band is 50–59°F [10–15°C], not freezing conditions.

You do not need to prune this plant as routine care. Take stem-tip cuttings to grow new plants. The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. This does not mean such problems can never arise. Its small size suits pots indoors and spaces with shelter. Moist compost, shade and humid air are its key growing needs.