Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 10a |
|---|---|
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | mounded |
| Mature height | 12 inches |
| Spread | 10 inches |
| Light requirements | shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | import |
Aluminum Plant
Botanical name: Pilea cadierei
Rich, deep green oval leaves that look like they have been splashed with aluminum paint, hence the name; pinch stem tips to keep plant compact; a great annual base or edging plant; requiring only bright indirect light, this one is a great houseplant.
Other names: Watermelon Plant
Ornamental Features
Aluminum Plant's attractive serrated oval leaves remain dark green in color with showy silver variegation throughout the year. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant.
Landscape Attributes
Aluminum Plant is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Aluminum Plant is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Border Edging, General Garden Use, Container Planting, Hanging Baskets
Planting and Growing
Aluminum Plant will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 8 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.
This plant should only be grown in a shady location. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings.
Aluminum Plant is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a canvas of foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
