Free Pilea Mollis Plants

This compact and low-growing Pilea is a useful subject for a bowl garden or similar planter. It is very effective when grouped with other plants and grows well with many foliage and flowering plants. As with other Pileas, bushy growth can be encouraged by regularly pinching out the growing shoots. These can be used to propagate new plants. The plant produces small, pinkish brown flowers in the summer, but these are of no particular interest and are best removed. This is a fairly easy plant to grow, provided it is given a certain amount of warmth, good light, and the compost is kept evenly moist. The textured leafsurfaces of the Pilea easily collect dust, which should be removed with tepid water applied through a mister.

Plant type : Compact, low growing and bushy foliage plant
Season of interest : All year round
Size : 10-15cm (4—6in)
Flower : Insignificant, pinkish brown, produced in summer
Leaf : Pointed oval, crinkled, 2.5-5cm (1 -2in), green with brownish tinge
Temperature : 18-21°C (64 — 70°F)
Aspect/Light : moderate light
Humidity : moderate
Watering : Evenly moisten compost throughout year, taking care never to over-water and allowing to dry out a little before re-watering
Feeding : Once every two to three weeks with houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer
Propagation : Plant 6-7.5cm (2|-3in) tip cuttings in seed and cutting compost at 18-21°C (64-70°F) from mid to late spring
Potting : Houseplant potting compost
Problems : Aphid, mealy bug, root rot from over¬watering
Availability : Occasionally available throughout year
Uses indoors : Useful for most rooms, especially lounge or dining room; effective in bowl garden or similar group planting