Pilea Cutting Propagation and Watering Methods Explained in Detail

As everyone's quality of life improves, people also grow flowers and plants in their spare time to cultivate their mood and character, but the cultivation techniques for each type of flower differ. Pilea is a foliage plant, generally grown for indoor decoration, so how should Pilea be cultivated? What aspects need attention when cultivating Pilea?

Pilea cutting propagation methods

1. Cutting medium

When it comes to cuttings, the cutting medium is indispensable. Before cutting the cuttings, prepare the cutting medium first to avoid excessive water loss from the stems. The cutting medium can be river sand, peat soil, etc., or a mixture of the two. It is best to disinfect it before use to remove pathogens and insect eggs from the soil.

2. Selection of cuttings

Take cuttings from healthy mother stems; each cutting should be five to eight cm long. Note that you should choose young, healthy leaves to ensure that they can root and grow normally after cuttings.

3. Planting

A very simple step: first put the medium into a pot, then insert the selected cuttings into the cutting medium. Note that after cutting, water thoroughly.

4. Care

After cuttings, place them at a suitable temperature for growth, generally between 18 and 25°C. When the temperature is too high, cool them down, such as by shading sunlight or spraying mist; when the temperature is too low, keep them warm, such as by wrapping them in a layer of plastic film. They should not be without light, nor should the sunlight be too strong, so during growth, shade them from 50% to 80% of the sunlight.

How to water Pilea

Master the principle of moisture management: keep the pot soil dry without cracking, and moist without being wet. Frequently spraying water on the leaf surface can keep the leaves clean and glossy. In winter, spray less water on the leaf surface, otherwise black spots will appear on the leaves, or they may even turn black and rot. During the growing season, apply a 20% or 30% nitrogen liquid fertilizer about once every two weeks to make the plant robust. After autumn, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to strengthen the stems and prevent lodging.

Hydroponic method for Pilea

Pilea is generally propagated by cuttings, either in spring or autumn. Simply cut off a section of stem with a terminal bud and place it directly in water to cultivate; new roots will grow in about ten days, and the survival rate is very high.

You can also directly wash the roots of a potted plant and then grow it hydroponically. Choose a healthy growing Pilea, dig the plant out of the soil, gently shake off excess soil from the roots, then rinse the roots clean with water at a temperature close to that of the soil. After that, use scissors to cut off all the messy residual roots, diseased roots, and rotten roots, leaving only some healthy, thick roots. Soak the trimmed roots in a diluted potassium permanganate solution for about ten minutes, then transplant them into a hydroponic container.

For newly transplanted Pilea, note that you should change the water every day and promptly trim off any roots that are growing poorly or showing signs of rot, until the plant begins to grow new roots after about a week; at that point you can begin to reduce the frequency of water changes.

What are the uses of Pilea

1. Ornamental value

Pilea has strong adaptability, is easy to propagate, and is relatively easy to grow. The plant clump is small and elegant, with leaves distinctly green and white and beautiful patterns. Displaying it in a study or bedroom is clear and pleasant; or hanging it in front of a window, with green leaves drooping down, is charming and lovely. The inflorescence emerges from the leaf axils, with a light brown, semi-transparent peduncle, and a terminal cyme, pleasing to the eye.

2. Air purification

Pilea absorbs harmful gases in the air and can also absorb cooking fumes, so friends with smokers at home can grow a pot. It can also absorb carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen, and can increase the negative ion content in indoor air, raising indoor air humidity.

3. Medicinal use

Pilea is not only ornamental but can also be used as medicine; the whole plant is valuable. As medicine, it has the effects of clearing heat and draining dampness, promoting fluid production and quenching thirst, and reducing jaundice and protecting the liver. It can reduce jaundice, reduce swelling and disperse nodules, and strengthen the spleen and stomach. It has very good effects on damp-heat jaundice, red and white vaginal discharge, strangury and turbidity, blood in urine, summer fever in children, malaria with splenomegaly, indigestion, traumatic injuries, and wound infections!

As described above, cultivating Pilea actually does not require meticulous care, because Pilea has extremely strong adaptability to the environment and is a particularly easy flower to grow; simply watering occasionally and applying a little fertilizer will basically keep it problem-free.