Differences Between Pennywort and Pilea and How to Care for Them

In nature there are always some things that look extremely alike, and the same goes for plants. Below I will introduce two plants that look somewhat similar. Many people may not be able to tell these two plants apart, and sometimes they may even confuse them, and those are pennywort and pilea. These two plants are somewhat similar in appearance, but as long as you distinguish them carefully, their differences are actually quite significant. Below I will introduce them one by one.

Pennywort

This is a plant that likes damp and warm conditions. Its appearance closely resembles the copper coins of ancient times, which is why it is called pennywort, and this is also the source of its name. The leaves have obvious toothed edges, the surface is dark green, and the underside is light green. Its umbrella-disc shape is extremely cute in people's eyes. This plant has extremely strong vitality, and pennywort often appears in large numbers by rivers or some lakesides. Sometimes people treat it as a weed, but after careful tending it is actually very attractive and has excellent ornamental value.

Pilea

The gloss on this plant's leaves is very dazzling, and its sheen seems to have a reflective quality, which is why it is named pilea (mirror grass). The surface of the leaf is green, but the underside is grayish-green. This plant prefers shady places, and damp spots are also where it chooses to grow; it likewise grows in relatively shady and humid environments. The leaf shape is mainly round, fairly smooth, with no sharp angles. It is very suitable for growing at home, playing a greening role, and also has great ornamental value.

The above is a comparison of the two plants. I think it is not hard for everyone to see that although these two plants have many similarities, there are still some small differences. I wonder if you noticed them. As long as you do, these two plants are very easy to tell apart. Below I will explain the differences between these two plants!

Differences

The leaves of pennywort have angular edges, are not very smooth, and also bear some fine hairs.

The leaves of pilea are relatively smooth, and the leaves are extremely glossy, just like a mirror.

Now that we have sorted out the differences between these two plants, we all probably want to understand how to grow them. The growth habits of these two plants are almost the same, so the growing methods are almost the same as well. Below I will introduce specifically how to grow these two plants!

Growing Methods

1. Shady and humid environment

Both of these plants like shady and humid environments, and they can almost be grown in water, but pilea is relatively less dependent on water, so it is best not to grow it in water, while pennywort does not mind either way.

2. Choice of soil

We had best choose some leaf mold, some soil with strong moisture-retention capacity. Only by guaranteeing humidity can we ensure the normal growth of the plants. In soil without moisture, pennywort cannot grow.