Which potting soil for a Pilea?

What soil should you use for a Pilea (Pilea peperomioides)?

The Pilea Peperomioides is a very distinctive plant native to southwestern China. Its green, round leaves blend perfectly into contemporary, Zen-style interiors. This plant is also nicknamed the “money plant” because its leaves resemble coins... So, to find out what soil to use for a Pilea and how to care for it, keep reading!

What is the ideal environment for a Pilea Peperomioides?

This houseplant is perennial and succulent. It does not survive below 10 degrees and likes bright light. Therefore, it can be placed on a balcony or terrace during the warmer months. It tolerates sunlight as long as it is not too intense. It is therefore best not to place it in full southern exposure.

In addition, this plant tends to become misshapen as it tries to capture as much light as possible across all its leaves. To keep it compact, feel free to turn it a quarter turn from time to time.

When should you water a Pilea Peperomioides?

When watering a Pilea Peperomioides, be careful not to pour too much water on it at once. It will not tolerate excess moisture. Water it regularly, but not excessively.

Good to know: this plant adapts equally well to a dry indoor environment such as an office and a humid one such as a bathroom.

What soil should you use for a Pilea Peperomioides?

To choose the substrate for your Pilea Peperomioides, we recommend mixing houseplant potting soil with sand or pumice. You can also mix ⅓ houseplant potting soil, ⅓ sand or pumice, and ⅓ garden soil. In any case, the result should be light and well-draining.

Alternatively, you can buy a special substrate for succulents. This way, you will not need to measure the proportions yourself.

Finally, the Pilea does not need feeding, but you can give it a small amount of fertilizer from time to time, either for foliage plants or for succulents.

When and how should you repot a Pilea Peperomioides?

In terms of frequency, we recommend repotting a Pilea every year or every two years. Take the opportunity to remove the offsets it produces at the base.

Step 1: prepare the clay pot

To prepare the clay pot, start by placing a small filter over the hole. This will prevent the clay pebbles from falling into the saucer. Then, place two or three centimeters of clay pebbles in the bottom. Next, add a drainage mesh so that the substrate does not mix with the clay pebbles. Finally, add a layer of substrate.

Step 2: remove the Pilea from its pot

Carefully remove the Pilea from its original pot. Then clean it and remove as much of the original substrate as possible. Once only its roots remain, place your plant in its new pot.

Step 3: add Pilea potting soil to the pot

Final step in repotting your Pilea: add substrate so that your plant is at the right height. Then gradually firm it down to fill the air pockets. Do not hesitate to add plenty of soil, especially if you are using a special substrate for succulents. It tends to settle over time.

Need more advice to become a budding gardener? Then browse the other articles on our blog!

PRODUCT TO DISCOVER

Velda Plant Soil 10 L: an interesting substrate, but is it suitable for Pilea?

Velda Plant Soil 10 L is a potting soil designed for aquatic plants. Velda highlights its mixture, which promotes water circulation in pond plantings.

For a Pilea peperomioides grown indoors, however, the decisive factor remains a substrate that keeps the roots well aerated and drains excess water. The Plant Soil product information alone does not confirm this compatibility. We therefore do not present it as the universally best choice for Pilea without a successful trial.

€12.95 — 10-liter bag

Discover Velda Plant Soil 10 L →

Practical advice: for your Pilea, choose a pot with drainage holes and a mixture explicitly designed for houseplants, unless you have tested Plant Soil under your growing conditions.

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