Aluminum Plant Care 101

Although aluminum in planting is not a good thing because it suppresses nutrients, the aluminum-like glitter on the leaves of Pilea cadierei can be a very good thing for those who appreciate sparkle. In The complete survival guide for houseplantsnotes author Barbara Pleasant, “The most gifted artist would struggle to create a painting as beautiful as the leaves of an aluminum plant.”

In The indestructible houseplant, author Tovah Martin agrees, writing that the species is “compelling and colorful, with small glossy green leaves marked with mirror-like silver inserts.” She notes that she has never experienced any problems caring for aluminum plants and this is true pile “has deep roots in houseplant traditions.”

Care of aluminum plants at a glance

Common name: Aluminum plant or watermelon pilea
Scientific name: Pilea cadierei or Pile aluminum
Soil: Standard potting soil
Light: Clear, indirect
Water: Average
Food: Balanced houseplant food
Temperature and humidity: Typical household temperatures, high humidity
Reproduction: Tip cuttings
Safety: Non-toxic

Characteristics of aluminum plants

The colorful aluminum factory is mentioned P. cadierei after plant hunter RP Cadiere, who identified (for Western botany) this member of the nettle family in Vietnam, although it is also native to a few Chinese provinces. It usually stays 9 to 12 inches tall for quite some time, but “then it can stretch to twice that size as the leaves elongate,” notes Martin.

Those dark green leaves have silver spots between their veins, which explains why the plant is known to some as the watermelon pilea, due to its similarity to the pattern on the rind of watermelon. Pilea actually means ‘cap’, presumably referring to the plant’s cap, but aluminum flowers are actually insignificant clusters of small greenish or pinkish-white flowers.

Hardy only in USDA zones 10 through 12 and sometimes grown as a shade-preferring ground cover in those zones, the plant will root wherever it comes in contact with the soil.

Types of aluminum plants

• Pilea cadierei: The classic aluminum plant, it can reach a height of about 45 cm, with dark green leaves up to 10 cm long and silver spots between their veins.
• Pilea cadierei ‘Ellen’: Also called Silver Plated Pilea, ‘Ellen’ grows up to 30cm tall with leaves that are completely silver.
• Pilea cadierei ‘Minima’: This cultivar is a dwarf version of the classic aluminum plant and usually does not grow taller than 15 cm.

Selecting soil and containers for aluminum plants

The best soil for Pilea is a typical houseplant potting mix with a pH between 5 and 6 and contains a lot of peat and/or humus. African violet potting soil should also be suitable for Asian Pileas.

Should you use aluminum planters for your aluminum plants? While that may seem appropriate, any type of pot will work, as long as it is one that will not dry out quickly as the plant prefers to be kept on the moist side. However, that container should contain drainage holes, as this species is sensitive to them root rot if kept too moist.

The right light

Pilea’s lighting requirements dictate that you keep your plant out of direct sun, which can scorch the foliage, but still provide plenty of bright, indirect lighting for it. You can do this by placing it near an east or west window, but far enough back so that the sun’s rays do not fall on it.

You can also place a transparent curtain between the plant and the windows, or place it near a matte bathroom window, because that environment must also provide the necessary space. humidity and indirect light that this plant prefers. When growing it as a ground cover, place it where it will receive only dappled sun or shade.

Watering aluminum plants

During care Pilea cadierei, keep the potting mix slightly moist but never soggy. Discard any water left in the saucer after watering to prevent excess water from being absorbed.

If your plant continues to wilt even when the soil is moist, this may be the case flooded for a long period of time, causing the roots to rot. If you decide that the problem is root rot, you can try propagating the plant via cuttings as explained below, as the roots may not be salvageable.

Fertilize aluminum plants

Give your aluminum plant a balanced diet once a week in spring and summer houseplant fertilizer applied at only half the recommended dosages (as these dosages are usually based on fortnightly feeding). Apply this in the autumn vegetable food only once a month and avoid feeding the plant in winter.

Brown tips on aluminum plants may be due to over-fertilization, which causes salts to build up in the soil. To alleviate this, remove the saucer from the plant and place the pot in an open sink. Pour water through the soil to clean it until the excess water drips through the drain holes and down the sink drain pipe. Allow the pot to drain completely before placing it back on the saucer.

Set the temperature and humidity

Brown tips can also be caused by low humidity, as the aluminum plant prefers high to moderate humidity. To add more moisture to the air around your Pilea, place it in a clump of other plants, on a humidity tray, in a bathroom or on a shelf above a sink.

The plant enjoys normal home temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees, although it is said to tolerate conditions down to 50 degrees. However, keep it away from doors or drafty windows in winter, as the cold causes the leaves to turn brown and fall.

Propagate aluminum plants

To try aluminum reproduction of plantsyou should cut 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) cuttings from the tops of the branches, with each cut just below a leaf node. Remove the bottom leaves from each cutting, leaving only a few leaves at the tip.

After dipping the base of your cuttings in rooting powder or liquid, pot them up in a container filled with a moist and sterile seed starting mix, covering the bottom node of each cutting with the mix. Place an inverted plastic bag, supported by plastic straws or small sticks, over the pot and place it in a warm place with bright, indirect light until the cuttings root, which takes about a month.

Safety considerations

According to the ASPCAthe aluminum plant is considered non-toxic to both pets and livestock. Nebraska Extension also lists it among the houseplants that are not poisonous to humans, including toddlers, who are the only people likely to try to eat it!

However, if Children of Alabama notes that even non-poisonous plants “can pose a choking hazard to small children.” So it’s best, if possible, to keep all plants out of the reach of toddlers’ fingers, especially those that, like this one, bear some resemblance to a sweet treat like watermelon. (Fortunately, the resemblance is not strong in this case.)

Potential pests and diseases

Like many other plants that prefer moist conditions, this Pilea can suffer from spider mites if it is kept too dry. Symptoms include overly pale leaves with apparent webs on the underside. Before you attempt to treat them, keep in mind that the aluminum plant does not tolerate chemical pesticides well.

That’s why Pleasant recommends removing the most damaged leaves first and misting your plant every day for a week. If that doesn’t work, you can try insecticidal soap, according to the package directions. Repeat the soap treatment every five days until the mites appear gone.

Frequently asked questions about the care of aluminum plants

While an aluminum factory sounds like a factory that makes recyclable cans, it can actually be a splashy, silvery houseplant. If you need in-depth information about your situation, please refer to the article above. If you just want some quick directions Pilea cadierei care, check out the questions and answers below.

Q. Why do my aluminum plant leaves have brown tips?

Brown points on the leaves of aluminum plants can be caused by over-fertilization or low humidity.

Q. Can aluminum plants be grown outdoors?

In USDA zones 10 through 12, aluminum plants can be grown outdoors in a shady area.

Q. Can aluminum plants be grown in water?

Although aluminum plant cuttings are sometimes rooted in water, those roots are prone to rotting if kept too wet for too long, so the plant remains healthier when grown in the ground.

Looking for more low-light plants? Check out our guides on caring for cast iron factory, peace factory, And snake plant.