| Friendship plant | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Urticaceae |
| Genus: | Pilea |
| Species: | P. involucrata |
| Binomial name | |
| Pilea involucrata (Sims) Urb. | |
Pilea involucrata (Sims) Urb., commonly known as the friendship plant, is a species of flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae, native to Central and South America. It is a popular houseplant due to its unique foliage and relatively easy care. This species is best known for its popular cultivar, Pilea involucrata 'Moon Valley'.
Description
Pilea involucrata is a bushy, trailing plant typically growing to a height and spread of 10–12 inches (25–30 cm). The species typically features bright green leaves with a quilted or corrugated texture, often with bronze or reddish undersides. It occasionally produces small, pink-white flowers, but these are infrequent when grown indoors.
Cultivation
The friendship plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil that is kept evenly moist. It thrives in temperatures between 65–80 °F (18–27 °C) and moderate to high humidity levels. Pilea involucrata is easily propagated through division or stem cuttings.
Cultivar: 'Moon Valley
Pilea involucrata 'Moon Valley', also known as the Moon Valley plant, is a distinct cultivar recognized for its deeply textured, cratered leaves that resemble the moon's surface. The foliage is primarily chartreuse-green, highlighted by prominent bronze-colored veins. It is often mistakenly identified as Pilea mollis due to its similar appearance and the shared common name "friendship plant".
Uses
Pilea involucrata, including its 'Moon Valley' cultivar, is primarily grown as a houseplant. It is well-suited for terrariums, hanging baskets, and tabletop displays due to its compact size and visually appealing foliage.
Species of flowering plant
References
- "Pilea involucrata (Sims) C.H.Wright & Dewar | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "Pilea involucrata - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- "How to Grow and Care for Pilea Involucrata". The Spruce. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "Pilea involucrata (Friendship Plant)". www.gardenia.net. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- www.shootgardening.com https://www.shootgardening.com/plants/pilea-involucrata. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - "Pilea Production Guide". mrec.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- "How to care for the Moon Valley Pilea | Plants 101". The Sill. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- Rae. "Pilea involucrata: A Complete Guide to the Friendship Plant". Terrarium Tribe. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- "Pilea involucrata (Friendship Plant, Panamiga) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
External links
Media related to Pilea involucrata at Wikimedia Commons
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Pilea involucrata |
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| Urtica involucrata | |