How to care for Aluminum Plant
Pilea cadierei · Urticaceae
Quilted green leaves brushed with metallic silver patches, as though splashed with aluminum paint. A fast, bushy little Vietnamese native that thrives with pinching to stay full. Great for terrariums, dish gardens, or bright shelves. Water roughly every 6 days while it's growing (about every 10 in winter), give it a bright room away from the window, kept above 55°F (13°C) — average room humidity suits it.
Care at a glance
Water when the top few centimeters dry; it wilts visibly when thirsty and bounces back fast.
Medium to bright indirect light; direct sun scorches the silver patches.
Half-strength balanced fertilizer monthly during active growth.
Mistakes that kill this plant
- Cold, wet soil in winter.
- Never pinching it, then discarding the leggy result.
- Hot direct sun that burns the foliage.
Seasonal tips
- Pinch growing tips regularly in spring and summer for a compact, bushy shape.
- Older plants get woody and sparse — restart from cuttings every year or two.
- Keep it above 13 C in winter and reduce watering.
Is it safe for pets?
Our records list Aluminum Plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Full pet-safety details for cats & dogsCare for your Aluminum Plant on autopilot
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Toxicity here is informational, not a safety guarantee. Those are our own records, compiled by following the ASPCA's published toxic and non-toxic plant lists and Pet Poison Helpline's plant poison list rather than copied from them — confirm anything that matters against the ASPCA's published lists, which this one is matched to, or with your vet. If your pet ingested this plant, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.