- 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.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
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