Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei)

China and Vietnam are the proud mother-land of this appealing Aluminium Plant, that is grown mostly for its attractive puffy foliage than the flowers. The plant is dark green in color and oval. It is characterized by lots of puffy leaves that have shiny and silver markings on the upper side of the leaves. It can be used both as hanging or a table plant. 

The aluminum plant is small in stature with soft stems of about 12-18 inches tall. The plant requires constant attention and care especially when it comes to pruning. Pruning is meant to ensure that it remains appealing and not too bushy. The beauty of the plant lies in the upper part of the leaf. Therefore, it should be placed in an area where it is easily visible.

Care 

·      The aluminum plant requires bright indirect light. Burns on the leaves occur as a result of direct light while little light makes the plant leggy as it reaches for the sun.

·      The soil of the plant should be kept moist but not soggy. When not blooming new leaves in cooler months, allow the top 2-3 inches of the soil to dry before watering. 

·      Use basic houseplant fertilizer to feed the plant diluted half the recommended strength bi-monthly.

·      The plant should be maintained at the optimum temperatures of 60-75 degrees.

·      Aluminum plants require high humidity that can enhance by ensuring the pot sits on a tray full of water and lined with pebbles.

·      The flowers of this plant are small hence get overshadowed by the larger size of the leaves.

·      Aluminum plants are prone to attacks by spider mites, aphids, fungus gnats, scale, and thrip.

·      Due to the high humidity required by aluminum plants, they are faced with a major thread from fungal and bacterial diseases. This can be avoided by use of commercial fungicide, keeping the leaves dry and maintaining proper air circulation.

·      Good basic houseplant soil that is airy and better drainage capacity is recommended. Addition of peat moss or other organic matters can be used to enhance root structure of the plant.

·      The plants don’t like being root-bound hence require smaller pots.

·      It should be pruned regularly.

·      Stem cutting is the best method to propagate aluminum plants.

·      They are non-poisonous plants. 

FAQs

After being damaged by extremely cold air, is there a chance of it surviving?

Cold forces the plant to drop all the leaves. The stems can be cut back and moved to a warmer place where new growth will have a chance to manifest.

My aluminum plants contain tan spots on the leaves that later on turn into holes. What are these things affecting my plant?

The brown spotting on the leaves are the leaf spots that affect indoor plants due to derived humidity. You can prune the affected leaves then balance the humidity in the environment. 

I bought an aluminum plant that was brilliant in the first initial stages. The growth was fast during and throughout summer but come December, it just stagnated, and the leaves started wilting and turning into a very funny shade. What could be the explanation for this?

The bad response of your aluminum plant is due to the watering habits. You are watering it during winter the same way you used to during summer. Winter is the resting period for the plant. Therefore, you should not give it as much watering. To help with your current situation, allow the soil to dry out and see if there are signs of ay living shoots.

Make sure to visit us or our website today at Toronto Office plants and we will help you carry the best plant home.