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| Red Stem Creeping Pilea |
Water: Let the soil of your Creeping Pilea dry out between waterings. Do not let your soil get soggy or else your Creeping Pilea may develop root rot. If the stems and leaves on your plant start to droop, it needs more water. I water my Creeping Pilea once a week; however, in the winter, cut back on watering depending on how much light your plant is receiving. If you supplement your plant with grow lights during the winter, it will still needs to be watered about once a week.
You can buy the plant light I use and recommend from Amazon.
Light: Grow Creeping Pilea in bright indirect light. If you do not give your Creeping Pilea enough light, it will begin to get leggy. A sign of too much light is if your Creeping Pilea plant begins to get brown leaves. Adjust the light level for your Creeping Pilea until you find what spot works best in your home. I keep my Creeping Pile about 2 feet from my window. If you dislike the look of your plant leaning towards once side, rotate it once a week to keep it even. The leaves on Creeping Pilea like to face the light.
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| Creeping Pilea leaves turned towards the light |
Soil: Creeping Pilea like well-draining soil. A succulent and cactus mix will help keep your plant from getting root rot. If you decide to use an all-purpose potting mix, it will work fine, but you have to be a little more careful with your watering.
Pot: Creeping Pilea like to be slightly root-bound. Keep them in smaller pots; however, if you notice your plant is starting to get root wrapped, it is time to repot. Repot your Creeping Pilea in only a slightly bigger pot.
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| Use a small pot for Creeping Pilea |
Propagation: To propagate your Creeping Pilea
1. Take a cutting off of one of the stems. Try to take your cutting from an unnoticeable area because it may take a while for it to grow back.
2. Remove the leaves from the bottom of the cutting.
3. Put the cutting in a small container with dirt.
4. Water the cutting until it is significantly moist.
5. Place the cutting in a plastic bag to create a greenhouse environment.
6. Put your cutting under a grow light that is on for at least 12 hours a day
7. Wait until you see a sprout!
For more detailed information on propagation from cuttings, go to my post How to Propagate Plants from Cuttings
Pests: Check your plant for spider mites. Spider mites will rapidly kill your plant once they establish themselves. The best way to monitor your plant is to keep an eye out for any webbing or dropping leaves. To prevent spider mites, keep the humidity high around your plant.
Issues: Not enough light can cause your plant to get leggy and ugly. This can be especially a problem in winter when you do not have as much natural light. If you notice your plant is struggling, but you do not have a way to give it more light, consider buying a plant light. Too much light can burn the ends of your leaves causing them to turn brown.
Toxicity: Creeping Pilea plants are non-toxic to pets! If you have cats or dogs that like to nibble on your plants, the Creeping Pilea plant will not hurt them!
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| Red Stem Creeping Pilea |
Creeping Pilea plants are an easy plant to grow! They do not require a lot of maintenance besides watering once a week!
Good Luck!
Lily's Indoor Jungle
