Pilea involucrata, commonly called the friendship plant, is a bushy trailing plant which is sometimes cultivated, especially where high humidity can be provided, such as in a terrarium. It is native to Central and South America.
Pilea involucrata is native to Central and South America. It is a bushy trailing plant that features clusters of ovate, toothed, textured, dark green leaves (to 3” long) with dark bronze undertones and often light green edges. Leaf undersides are typically dark red. Tiny pink-green flowers in branched cymes in summer are not particularly showy. Indoor plants rarely flower and fruit. Genus name comes from the Latin word pileus meaning a cap from the shape of the female flowers. Specific epithet means with an involcure, a ring of bracts surrounding several flowers.
Friendship plant is listed as low maintenance. Give the plant at least 6 to 8 hours a day of light (but not direct sunlight), ample humidity, and evenly moist soil, this small houseplant will thrive.
Semi-shade – this plant needs a lot of sunlight, but it has to be protected from the strongest rays of the sun.
Simply apply the fertilizer around the base of the plant, extending to the drip line. For vegetables, place the fertilizer in a strip parallel to the planting row. Water-soluble fertilizers are faster acting but must be applied more frequently. This method gives plants food while you water.
Pilea is generally very easy to root from cuttings. As the plants have a tendency toward legginess, it's a good idea to start new cuttings every spring instead of wrestling with an older pilea. Place cuttings in moist peat and keep warm until they root. A rooting hormone usually isn't necessary.Strike two or three cuttings in a 3" pot filled with moistened potting mix. Place the pot in a propagating case or in a sealed plastic bag to hold in humidity. If kept at 75 degrees F your new plants will be rooted and growing in three to five weeks. Repot yearly in the spring, or start a new plant from cuttings and discard the old plant.
Temperatures must be between 65 and 75°F(18-23°C) and avoid placing the plant near heaters or drafty windows.
