The “plate plant” is a popular houseplant known for its distinctive, textured foliage and vibrant colors. It offers a relatively easy-care experience, making it a rewarding addition to many homes.
Identifying the Plate Plant
The plant most commonly referred to as the “plate plant” is Pilea involucrata, also known as the Friendship Plant or Moon Valley Pilea. This species is distinguished by its deeply textured, quilted, or corrugated leaves, which often display a mix of dark green, bronze, or copper hues with reddish undersides. These oval-shaped leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems. Pilea involucrata is a bushy, trailing perennial, typically reaching 6 to 12 inches in height and spread, making it a compact houseplant.
Essential Care for Your Plate Plant
Light
Plate plants thrive in bright, indirect light, mimicking their natural habitat on rainforest floors where they receive dappled sunlight filtered through a canopy. Placing the plant near a north or east-facing window is often ideal, as this provides ample light without direct, harsh sun exposure. Direct sunlight can scorch its delicate leaves, causing them to burn and lose their vibrant coloration. If the plant is not receiving enough light, it may exhibit leggy growth, stretching towards a light source, or yellowing leaves.
Watering
Consistently moist soil is preferred for plate plants, though they are susceptible to root rot if overwatered. It is advisable to water the plant when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Ensuring that the pot has adequate drainage holes and allowing any excess water to drain completely from the bottom is important to prevent waterlogging. During the active growing seasons of spring and summer, watering may be required more frequently, perhaps once or twice a week, while in the cooler fall and winter months, the watering frequency should be reduced as the plant’s growth slows.
Soil and Potting
Plate plants prefer a well-draining, rich, and airy potting mix that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. A good blend often includes peat moss, perlite, and regular potting soil, or a mix designed for African violets. Repotting is generally needed every one to two years, or when the plant becomes root-bound, to refresh the soil and accommodate its growth. When repotting, select a container only one or two inches larger than the previous one, ensuring it has drainage holes.
Humidity and Temperature
These tropical plants flourish in warm temperatures, ideally between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C), and require moderate to high humidity levels, preferably around 60% or higher. Low humidity can lead to brown leaf tips. To increase humidity, place the plant on a pebble tray filled with water, use a room humidifier, or lightly mist the leaves regularly. Protect the plant from cold drafts or sudden temperature fluctuations, as temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can cause damage and leaf drop.
Fertilizing
During the spring and summer growing seasons, plate plants benefit from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half the recommended strength, every four to six weeks. During the fall and winter, when the plant’s growth naturally slows, reduce or stop fertilization entirely. Over-fertilization can lead to brown leaf tips, so it is better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize.
Propagating Plate Plants
Propagating plate plants is a straightforward process, commonly achieved through stem cuttings. This ease of propagation contributes to its common name, Friendship Plant, as new plants can be readily shared. Select a healthy stem approximately three to four inches long with at least two to three leaf nodes. Using clean, sharp scissors, make a cut just below a leaf node, then carefully remove the lower leaves from the cutting.
The prepared cutting can be rooted in either water or a moist potting mix. If rooting in water, submerge the cut end, ensuring at least one node is underwater, and change the water every few days. For soil propagation, plant the cutting directly into a well-draining, moist potting mix, burying at least one node where roots can develop. Covering the potted cutting with a clear plastic bag or humidity dome creates a mini-greenhouse effect, retaining moisture and encouraging root formation. Roots typically form within two to four weeks, after which the new plantlets can be transplanted into individual pots.
Troubleshooting Common Plate Plant Issues
Plate plants can encounter a few common problems. If leaves begin to yellow, especially lower ones, it often indicates overwatering or a nutrient deficiency. Address overwatering by ensuring proper drainage and non-soggy soil; a balanced fertilizer can help with nutrient needs. Browning leaf tips frequently signal low humidity or, less commonly, over-fertilization. Increase humidity through misting or pebble trays to alleviate this.
Leggy growth, characterized by stretched and sparse stems, usually points to insufficient light; move the plant to a brighter location with indirect light to correct this. Sudden leaf drop can result from abrupt changes in temperature, light, or moisture, so maintaining consistent care conditions is important. While generally hardy, plate plants can occasionally be affected by common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, or aphids. Treat infestations with appropriate insecticidal soap or neem oil.