Pilea Microphylla: Care Tips, Types, Propagation, and More

Pilea microphylla, also commonly known as artillery plant, is an annual or short-lived perennial. It’s best recognized by its many pairs of small, fleshy green leaves that give the plant an almost fern-like appearance.

Tiny green flowers appear during the growing season but they aren’t very prominent. However, they do release a burst of yellow pollen, which earned the plant its common name.

Artillery plants grow best in warm conditions and require bright, indirect light, along with moist but well-draining soil.

Common Name	Artillery plant, angeloweed, rockweed
Botanical Name	Pilea microphylla
Family	Urticaceae
Plant Type	Herbaceous, Perennial, Annual
Mature Size	6-12 in. tall, 6-12 in. wide (indoor), 6-12 in. tall, 6-24 in. wide (outdoor)
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Moist but well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic, Neutral
Bloom Time	Summer
Flower Color	Green
Hardiness Zones	11-12 (USDA)
Native Area	North America, South America

Pilea Microphylla Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing Pilea microphylla:

• Plant in loose, well-draining soil.
• Choose a location with bright, indirect sun.
• Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
• Fertilize lightly during the growing months if desired.

Light

Pilea microphylla does best with part sun conditions. It should receive plenty of bright, indirect light but too much sun will have a detrimental effect on the plant.

Soil

Plant pilea microphylla in soil that is loose and well-draining. It prefers nutrient-rich soil to support its fast-growth habit.

Water

The artillery plant has moderate watering needs. It will need to be watered regularly, especially during periods of hot, dry weather. But you shouldn’t oversaturate the soil.

To avoid doing so, ensure that the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch before watering again.

Temperature and Humidity

Pilea microphylla is hardy in USDA zones 11 and 12. This plant requires warm, humid conditions to thrive and will do best in climates that hover between 65 and 85 degrees.

For that reason, it’s sometimes used as a groundcover plant in southern regions of the United States.

Fertilizer

This plant has a moderate-to-fast growth habit that doesn’t frequently need much encouragement to flourish.

Since it prefers nutrient-rich soil, you may need to fertilize with an organic compost or add a light application of well-balanced liquid or soluble fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season.

Types of Pilea Microphylla

P. microphylla ‘Variegata’:This cultivar of the artillery plant has green-and-white variegated foliage. It has very similar care requirements to the conventional green variety of pilea microphylla, but in especially bright light, the variegation will turn to green and pink, which is particularly attractive.

Propagating Pilea Microphylla

It’s best to propagate during the spring or summer months when the plant is actively growing and will recover more quickly. Here’s how to propagate pilea microphylla using stem cuttings or division:

To propagate by stem cuttings:

1. Gather the following supplies: Clean, sharp garden snips, a small pot, and peat moss (or a glass jar if you plan to start the cutting in water).
2. Use the garden snips to cut away a stem about four inches long. Be sure that the cutting has several pairs of leaves.
3. Trim away the bottom leaves. Place the cutting in water or moist peat moss, with the top leaves above the water or moss.
4. Keep the cutting in a bright area and keep it moist.
5. Once roots have formed, the cutting is ready to be transplanted into the garden or a new pot.

To propagate by root division:

1. Using a sharp garden trowel, cut through the roots at the point you would like to divide the plant. Be sure each division has healthy foliage and its own root system.
2. Dig around the division and lift the plant from the ground.
3. Transplant the division into another suitable area.

Common Problems With Pilea Microphylla

Grown in the right conditions, pilea microphylla is generally easy to care for and fast-growing. Problems with overwatering are the most common source of issues for this type of plant, so here’s what to be on the lookout for.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Sometimes the leaves of a pilea plant begin to yellow. Either too much water or too much sunlight is usually to blame. Assess your watering routine and the soil’s moisture retention.

Extend the time in between watering the plant and make sure you’re only watering the plant when the soil is dry to the touch. If soil moisture doesn’t seem to be a problem, then your plant may need more light.

Transplant to a sunnier area of the garden or move a potted plant to a location that receives bright, indirect light.

Browning Tips

If you notice that the tips of your pilea microphylla plant are beginning to brown, it’s a sign that the plant is experiencing problems under the soil.

Root rot as a result of overwatering is most likely to blame. To attempt to save the plant, you’ll need to dig it up, remove any mushy, foul-smelling roots, improve the soil drainage, and replant in fresh soil.

From: thespruce