Pilea peperomioides

friendship plant
Glossy apple green leaves are round, held on long petioles giving plant much character. Divide pups from the base and given them to friends, as is tradition.
Pilea peperomioidesPilea peperomioides
height 4–18in
width 4–14in
tolerates Pots
water
needs		 Moderate – High
water
info		 This plant wants water when the top of the soil is just dry to the touch, but with moisture just below the surface. This plant will often fall into a once-a-week watering cycle, but remember that your watering should be based on the moisture left in the soil, which will depend partly on the moisture in the room and the weather outside. It may need more frequent watering based on those conditions.
hardy
to		 40F
exposure Bright Indirect
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Pots: Potting Soil
fertilizing All Purpose
origin S China
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 23, 24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

Growing Notes

This plant is called the friendship plant because it makes adorable little babies from around its base, which are easily divided and given away to friends. Alternatively, you can let them grow and you’ll get a staggered plant with several trunks at different levels.

Special Interest

According to Pilea peperomioides lore the original friendship plant was collected in 1945 by Norwegian missionary Agnar Espegren, who was on mission in the Hunan province of China and forced to return home during World War Two. He brought this plant on his return to Norway and began giving pups to all his friends, who gave it to their friends and on. Over time this plant became synonymous with Norway, Sweden and Finland, but is now a world wide phenomenon.