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Bright, indirect light. Tolerates filtered morning sun but scorches under harsh afternoon direct light. A window with a sheer curtain is ideal.Light
Water when the top quarter inch of soil dries out during the growing season (spring-summer); reduce in winter. Prefers consistently moist but never waterlogged soil.Water
high humidity (60-80%. Group your plants together, set them on a pebble tray with water, or run a humidifier nearby) preferred, at least 50%. Mist regularly, use a pebble tray, or run a humidifier nearby.Humidity
54-75°F (12-24°C). Not frost tolerant; USDA Hardiness Zone 12.Temperature
easyDifficulty
Pilea cadierei (Aluminum Plant) foliage

Aluminum Plant

Pilea cadierei

Easy

The Aluminum Plant earns its name from the striking silvery-white patches splashed across its dark green leaves in four parallel rows, giving them a genuinely metallic sheen that looks almost airbrushed. Your plant stays compact at 12–18 inches, making it a great fit for terrariums, windowsills, or any spot that needs a low-key wow factor. It's also non-toxic to pets, so your cat's inevitable curiosity won't become an emergency vet visit.

Pilea cadierei (Aluminum Plant) foliage
Krzysztof Ziarnek (Kenraiz), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pilea cadierei (Aluminum Plant) foliage
Krzysztof Ziarnek (Kenraiz), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Care Guide

How to grow Aluminum Plant

Light

Bright, indirect light.

Water

Water when the top quarter

Humidity

60-80%

Temperature

54-75°F

Soil

Well-draining, fertile mix - equal

Propagation

Stem cuttings in early spring

Common Problems

Spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and

Did You Know

Fun Facts

The species epithet 'cadierei' honors French botanist Léo Cadière, who specialized in the flora of Indochina and first collected the plant in Vietnam.

Pet Safety

Pet safe

Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans (ASPCA confirmed). May cause minor gastrointestinal upset if eaten in large quantities, but not dangerous.

Sources

  1. Pilea cadierei - RHS Plant Detail (opens in new tab)Botanical Garden
  2. Pilea cadierei — RHS Plant Detail (opens in new tab)Botanical Garden
  3. Pilea cadierei - Wikipedia (opens in new tab)Reference
  4. Pilea cadierei — Wikipedia (opens in new tab)Reference
  5. Pilea cadierei - NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (opens in new tab)University Extension
  6. Pilea cadierei Aluminum Plant - University of Florida IFAS Extension (opens in new tab)University Extension
  7. Pilea cadierei Aluminum Plant — University of Florida IFAS Extension (opens in new tab)University Extension
  8. Pilea cadierei — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (opens in new tab)University Extension
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