Pilea involucrata, known as the Friendship Plant or Creeping Charlie, is a popular houseplant celebrated for its distinctive, deeply textured foliage. Its leaves often display shades of bronze, silver, and green with reddish undersides. This article guides you through propagating this charming plant, allowing you to expand your collection or share its beauty.
Why Propagate Pilea Involucrata
Propagating Pilea involucrata offers several benefits. It easily increases your plant collection without additional cost. The plant’s common name, Friendship Plant, highlights how readily new plants can be shared. Propagation also rejuvenates older, leggy specimens, replacing sparse growth with fresh, bushy plants.
Preparing for Propagation
Preparing for propagation involves gathering tools and selecting the optimal time. You will need sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears to prevent damage and disease. Pots with drainage and a well-draining potting mix are essential.
A suitable mix includes peat moss, perlite, and coco coir for aeration and moisture retention without becoming waterlogged. Rooting hormone can encourage faster root development. The best time for propagation is during the plant’s active growing season (spring or summer), when the plant is more vigorous.
Pilea Involucrata Propagation Methods
Stem Cuttings
Stem cuttings are an effective method for propagating Pilea involucrata. Select a healthy, mature stem at least 3 to 4 inches long with several sets of leaves. Make a clean cut just below a leaf node, where roots readily develop. Remove lower leaves, ensuring at least one node is exposed for rooting.
You can root stem cuttings in water or soil. For water rooting, place the cutting in clean water, ensuring the node is submerged. Change the water every few days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Roots typically form within two to four weeks. For soil rooting, plant the cutting in moist, well-draining potting mix, burying at least one node. Gently firm the soil to keep it upright. Covering the pot with a plastic bag or humidity dome creates a mini-greenhouse effect, promoting rooting. Place cuttings in bright, indirect light and maintain consistent warmth.
Division
Division is another straightforward method, suitable when the mother plant has produced offsets or “pups” around its base. Remove the mother plant from its pot, shaking off excess soil to expose the root system.
Identify offsets with their own root systems. Separate these rooted plantlets from the main plant, ensuring each division retains roots. Use clean, sharp shears to snip any connecting roots if needed. Pot each offset individually in a new container with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Provide the newly potted divisions with bright, indirect light and water thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain.
Caring for New Pilea Plants
Once new Pilea involucrata plants have rooted or been repotted, they require specific care. Place them in a location that receives bright, indirect light, as direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. Maintain consistent soil moisture, watering when the top inch or two of the potting mix feels dry. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
Pilea involucrata prefers moderate to high humidity. To increase humidity, mist the foliage regularly, place pots on a pebble tray filled with water, or use a humidifier.
Common Propagation Issues
While Pilea involucrata is easy to propagate, some issues can arise. Cuttings may fail to root or rot due to excessive moisture or insufficient drainage. Ensure the potting mix is well-draining to prevent this.
New plants might struggle after transplanting due to transplant shock or inadequate light and humidity. Consistent bright, indirect light and higher humidity help new plants recover. Leggy growth in young plants indicates insufficient light, suggesting a move to a brighter location.