Introducing...
Pilea
Botanical name: Pilea
Common name: Chinese money plant, aluminium plant, friendship plant, creeping Charlie
These evergreen houseplants come in several different forms, with upright or trailing stems and attractive leaves in various shapes, textures and colours. The most popular, the Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides), is compact, quirky-looking and easy to grow.
Looks
Several species are grown as houseplants, varying widely in appearance. Some are trailing with lots of tiny rounded leaves, others bushy with pointed leaves, some are splashed with silver or purple, and either textured or smooth. The most widely grown has distinctive coin-shaped leaves, hence its common name of Chinese money plant.
Likes
Pileas thrive in bright but indirect light, and free-draining compost. Keep them warm, away from chilly draughts, and water them whenever the compost starts to dry out.
Dislikes
Avoid overwatering or leaving the pot standing in water, as the roots can easily rot. Very low light can make plants straggly and weak, while too much summer sun can scorch them – pileas prefer something in between.
Did you know?
These are fast-growing plants, so if you buy a small one, it will soon reach a good size, in only a year or two. Most pileas are also easy to propagate, so one plant could soon give you many more.
Growing guide
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How to grow pileas
All the information you’ll need to grow pileas successfully in your home.
Pileas we recommend
Pilea involucrata 'Moon Valley'
friendship plant 'Moon Valley'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Pilea involucrata 'Moon Valley'
friendship plant 'Moon Valley'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Choosing the best houseplants
Houseplants: to support human health
How to grow houseplants
How to help a poorly houseplant
Terrariums and bottle gardens
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.