Pilea Silver Sprinkles

A stunning spiller and thriller that will cascade from your pots and hanging baskets. The rounded leaves crowd the trailing red stems in varying shades of deep green, each with a heavy dusting of silver shadow.

This super easy plant to grow that will have you looking like an expert green thumb. It makes a great choice for combination plantings too where it can act as an understory/ground cover. Outdoors grow in a sheltered area and let it ramble as a ground cover in a rockery or similar frost protected area.

SIZE (HxW): 5-10cm x 10-50cm

I SEE THE LIGHT: Bright, indirect light is ideal. You should be able to read during the day in their position in the room without turning on a light. If you only have artificial light, they will need about eight to ten hours a day.

I NEED A DRINK: Water well, then allow the top soil of the pot to dry out before watering again – their fleshy leaves were built to store moisture so they can survive well between waterings. They will forgive you if you miss a watering or two. You are more likely to kill them with kindness as over watering can lead to rotting – if the leaves shrink/wrinkle that is a cry for moisture.

They appreciate some humidity – especially in homes with ducted heating/air conditioning. It isn’t as vital as for many houseplants, so you might get away without it. But, if the leaf tips brown this is a cry for help, you can provide some humidity for your beloved plant, by placing them over a plate with rocks and water, this will naturally form humidity around the plant. Or, if you want to get fancy and grow a few of these tropical treats, purchasing a humidifier is a good investment – they are also good for you. Or you could grow it in a bathroom which naturally gets a good dose of steam. Or grow with other plants where the humidity will naturally form around the plants. They are also fantastic in terrariums.

I WILL SURVIVE: In pots use a good quality potting mix to ensure good drainage. Ideally the pot or hanging basket should have drainage holes, if it doesn’t, you need to promise not to over water, if left to sit in boggy soils the plant will rot.

Use a diluted liquid fertiliser spring/summer, they aren’t overly hungry.

Keep them clear of cold draughty positions or they will sulk. You can prune lanky stems at any time. To encourage more branching, you can pinch the tips in spring.