Moon Valley Friendship Plant

Moon Valley Friendship Plant Care

Pilea mollis

What is the plant

This bushy green beauty brings the bottom of the moon’s crates to your collection and the spark back to any stale friendship, with copper tints and bright contrasting colors.

Native to Central and South America, this succulent-like herbaceous is sought after due to its ornamental value and decorative beauty from its characteristic foliage, which makes it easy to identify.

It has spade-like, slightly padded, textured bright green leaves covered with white hairs and with toothed margins. It is marked with brownish, copper-toned patterns that create a remarkable contrast both with the lighter green but also the dark green of the leaf veins. It bears pinkish-green flowers with less ornamental significance, usually in summer, although blooming is rare in indoor plants. It has fragile stems and should be handled with care to avoid snapping. This is a fast-growing plant, which is particularly important to guarantee yearly renewal, as it tends to lose its beauty as time goes by.

humidity

Normal

lighting

Part sun and part shade

temperature

20°C - 25°C

hardiness zone

10 - 12

difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
This plant enjoys moderate humidity since high humidity tends to make it more susceptible to bacterial and fungal issues. Airflow is a must, and leaves should be kept dry. It should be watered regularly in order to maintain the soil slightly moist, which usually translates to once to twice a week or whenever the soil begins to dry. Avoid overwatering; also, underwatering will cause wilting.
Pruning
It usually grows between 10-12 inches (25-30 cm). Prune and pinch new stem sprouts to maintain their compact shape and stimulate a bushier look.
Fertilizer
Feed in spring and summer to assure optimal growth, with a half dose.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Sunlight
Pilea Moon Valley thrives in full to partial shade. Avoid full sun and extreme direct sun exposure.
Soil
Choose fertile soil that is well-drained and rich in organic matter.
Propagation
Propagation can be done through plant division and stem cuttings — plant in the soil in winter.

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Temperature
It enjoys warm temperatures, ideally between 65-75 ºF (18-24 ºC). This plant is not frost or cold-tolerant.
Container
Due to its versatility, it can be kept in terrariums and pots, as well as outdoor gardens.
Fun fact
In some languages, Pilea Moon Valley is known as the Friendship Plant. This comes from its easy propagation, making it a common and lovely gift between friends.