Pilea care: light, water, and pet safety

Pilea peperomioides and Pilea cadierei

Care table

Light	Medium light to bright indirect light. Bright indirect. Rotate weekly so it grows straight.
Water	Water when the top inch dries. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Humidity	Average room air is fine
Repotting	Spring to early summer, when roots circle the pot or grow out the drainage hole. Go up 1 to 2 inches in pot width.

Winter care

Growth slows. Let the soil dry a little further between waterings, stop fertilizer until spring, and keep it away from cold drafts and heat vents.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei) ASPCA lists Pilea cadierei and Pilea involucrata as non-toxic. Pilea peperomioides is not on the list.

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

Curling, cupped leaves: Too much direct sun or uneven watering.
Yellow lower leaves, soggy soil: Watering before the soil dried, or a pot with no drainage.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool