Pilea

( PIE - lee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Artillery Plants, his genus of perennial flowering plants is mostly native to the Tropics, Subtropics and Warm Temperate regions of the world. These plants are commonly kept as indoor specimens, though they can be grown outdoors in certain climates. 

Pilea Species and Varietals

The genus Pilea includes between 600-715 distinct species, and is a member of the plant family Urticaceae. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

​Pilea cadierei (Aluminium Plant, Watermelon Pilea)
​This species is native to China and Vietnam, and is commonly grown as a houseplant. It produces dark green to olive-green leaves with silvery white markings. These plants form subterranean colonies. Flowers are white, and bloom in clusters at stem tips. 

Pilea depressa (Depressed Clearweed, Kiereweed, Baby Tears)
This species is native to the Caribbean and Mexico, and produces a small, trailing plant with tiny green rounded leaves with scalloped edges. Foliage is dense on stems, and these plants are commonly kept as indoor specimens.

Pilea fontana (Black-Fruited Clearweed, Lesser Clearweed)
This species of Pilea is native to North America, where it primarily grows along the Rocky Mountains. In its native range, it mostly inhabits moist woodlands and floodplains. Flowers produced by this species are cream to white, and leaves are elongated, glossy, and green.

Pilea glaucophylla (Grey Artillery Plant, Silver-Leaved Artillery Plant, Silver Sprinkles Pilea)
​This species is a commonly grown houseplant, and produces flat, rounded leaves with pointed tips. It can be used as a creeping groundcover plant in very protected areas, or kept indoors as a houseplant. These plants have a trailing habit, spilling over the sides of hanging baskets and containers. Foliage is light grey-green.

Pilea involucrata (Friendship Plant)
This Central and South American native plant forms a trailing bush with dark green, wrinkled foliage that often has dark purple to maroon centers. In summertime, tiny yellow to cream-colored flowers bloom in small clusters. There are many cultivated varieties of this species, including 'Dark Mystery'.

Pilea microphylla (Angeloweed, Artillery Plant, Joypowder Plant, Brilhantina, Frescura, Artillery Fern)
This species, native to southern North America, Central America, and South America, produces a groundcover-type plant with tiny light green leaves and succulent stems. These plants can reach about a foot tall and twice as wide at maturity. Flowers are cream colored and insignificant.

Pilea mollis
This species of Pilea is native to Central and South America, and is often grown as an indoor ornamental plant. Highly textured leaves are commonly green with purple-maroon veining. The cultivar 'Moon Valley' is a choice selection with purple blushing on leaves.

Pilea nummulariifolia (Creeping Charlie)
Creeping Charlie is native to the Caribbean and northern South America. These plants are creeping spreaders that have wrinkled, green glossy foliage 

Pilea peperomioides (UFO Plant, Chinese Money Plant, Pancake Plant, Lefse Plant, Missionary Plant)
This interesting species is commonly grown as an indoor houseplant, and produces shiny dark green glossy leaves that are circular. As young plants, leaf stems sprout from a central point, and as the plant increases in height, more stems form along the main trunk. These plants are considered endangered in their natural habitat in southern China, but are commonly cultivated elsewhere. There are many choice varieties of this species, including 'Sugar', 'White Splash', and 'Mojito'.

Pilea pumila (Clearweed, Canadian Clearweed, Coolwort, Richweed)
This species is native to Asia and Eastern North America, where it is broadly distributed and commonly categorized as a weed. These plants easily colonize disturbed areas of soil. Flowers bloom in midsummer through early autumn and are tiny and green-yellow. 

Pilea repens (Black Leaf Pilea)
These plants are cultivated as terrarium plants or indoor specimens, and leaves are dark green to dark purple/black in color. These plants are native to the West Indies, and are considered to be rare.

Pilea serpyllacea
This tropical houseplant species is native to Central and South America, and produces very small green leaves. Flowers are tiny and white. Plant stems are burgundy in color. The overall look of this plant is of a cluster of tiny green bubbles, making it a great choice for a source of contrasting foliage.

Pilea spruceana (Silver Tree, Norfolk Friendship Plant)
​This species of Pilea is native to tropical rainforest areas in Central and South America. It is cultivated for its decorative foliage, which is dark green, textured, and accented with white to silver stripes. Undersides of leaves are red to maroon-purple. Reaches 1 foot tall and 1.5 feet wide at maturity. 

Pilea trianthemoides (Artillery Plant)
This species is native to the state of Florida and the Caribbean, and grows in moist thickets. These plants have an intricate branching structure, and flower year-round. Can reach just under 8 inches tall at maturity. 

Pilea victoriae
Discovered by a team from Government Victoria College in India in 2017, these plants reach about 4 inches tall at maturity, and produce bright green foliage. 

Caring for Pilea

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Pilea plants are susceptible to the following issues and pests:​
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For more information on these problems, including how to correct them, see the following links.
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Gallery
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

Learn about these interesting houseplants.
An educational video about Cast-Iron Plant.

Resources

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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