Pilea ovalis Moon Valley

The Pilea 'Moon Valley' is a cultivar with stunning foliage and pronounced indentations. The ovate, pointed leaves are a bright green with bronze hues, featuring lightly serrated edges in a slightly fluorescent light green. The soft lamina is deeply and regularly textured. Compact in growth, it thrives in bright, indirect light and a rich, well-draining substrate. It appreciates a fairly high ambient humidity.

The Pilea ovalis 'Moon Valley' is also known as the Artillery Plant or Friendship Plant (referred to as Friendship Plant in English-speaking countries). It belongs to the Urticaceae family, like the nettle. The Pilea genus comprises over 600 species, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. They typically form compact plants, known for their coin-shaped or waffle-textured, metallic leaves. These are herbaceous perennials originating from Central and South America. The ramified stems bear opposite leaves, arranged in a regular pattern. In 'Moon Valley', the lamina, marked by pronounced nervature, creates a unique relief where the spaces between the veins swell into small mounds. The effect is quite striking, with a bronze-green centre and a brighter, vivid green margin. The plant may flower indoors (a sign it is thriving), though the small flowers are very subtle. 'Moon Valley' reaches 15 to 30 cm in height and width, with moderate growth. Grow it between 18 and 24°C, but not below 12°C.

The Pilea 'Moon Valley' also thrives in terrariums. It spreads via its stems to cover a pot or terrarium substrate, forming a bushy young plant with densely foliaged tillers. Place it on an eye-level shelf or a piece of furniture to showcase its ornamental appeal.