Easy, Fast Growing Plant
Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light, Medium Light)
Average Watering Needs
Mature Height 12 inches
Pet Safe

Aluminum Plant is part of the Nettle family, and is grown as a houseplant indoors as well as a pondside plant outside. This plant should not be grown in an aquarium. The minty green leaves of the Aluminum Plant are splashed all over with bright metallic silver, which gives them their common name.

Best Locations For Growing Aluminum Plant

Aluminum Plants like bright light and high humidity, making them suitable for decorating a brightly lit bathroom or kitchen. Growing this plant near furnace vents or a fan will cause the plant to lose moisture quickly and is not recommended. Grouping Aluminum Plant with other tropicals will help keep humidity levels high around the plants.

Aluminum Plant Sunlight Requirements

Indirect bright light for 4 hours is a must for this tropical stunner. Growing Aluminum plants in low light will cause the plant to get leggy and the soil to dry out too slowly, risking root rot. A south- or southwest-facing window is perfect. Using a grow lamp during darker days in the winter will help keep the growth more compact.

Aluminum Plant Care

Pilea ‘Aluminum’ needs to be repotted regularly. Every spring, the pot should be checked for root growth out of the bottom. Always repot one to two sizes larger to give the Aluminum Plant enough room to grow through the summer. Use a soil-based potting mix that has added perlite for good drainage. Select a container with drainage holes in the bottom, so the roots receive plenty of air. Propagation is easy by taking cuttings of stems throughout the growing season.

Watering Aluminum Plant

Watering in the winter should be reduced. Let the top 2-3 inches of soil dry between waterings. Use a cool mist humidifier or a daily misting of the leaves to counteract dryness indoors.

Feeding Aluminum Plant

Only fertilize while the plant actively grows in the summer months. No feeding is necessary during the winter. A balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer applied at half strength once a month will keep this plant thriving while maintaining vivid color.

Aluminum Plant Information

Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light, Medium Light

Care Requirements: Easy

Watering Requirements: Average - When the top 2 inches of the soil dries out.

Pet Friendly: Yes

Kid Friendly: Yes

Air Purifier: Low

Habit: Upright

Growth Rate: Fast

Mature Height: 12 inches

Mature Spread: 8 inches

Flowering: Yes

Flower Color(s): White

Flower Shade/Description: White

Fragrant:

Foliage Type: Variegated

Foliage Color(s): Green, Silver

Foliage Description: Variegated, Green and Silver

Temperature: 60° - 75°F (16° - 24°C)

Humidity: Average (40% - 60%)

Common Name: Aluminum Plant

Other Name(s): Aluminum Plant, Watermelon Pilea

Scientific Name: Pilea cadierei

Plant Type: House Plant

SKU:: Pilea_Aluminium-HP

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

For more detailed information, please click here.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.

We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location

Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.

Aluminum Plant