Pilea Depressa - Teak And Terracotta

Welcome to our guide to Pilea Depressa care and propagation, they are easy to look after as long as you don’t let them sit in water logged soil…

Pilea Depressa Care Summary

Light needs:	Bright indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:	Check weekly, only water if top 50% or more is dry.
Fertilizer:	A well diluted balanced fertilizer in summer.
Soil:	A mix of normal potting compost (80%) and perlite (20%).
Humidity:	60%.
Temperature:	18°C to 25°C (64-77°F).
Where to buy:	Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.
Other names:	Baby Tears.
Common issues:	Root rot.

Introduction

The pilea depressa is known for it small serrated edge leaves that flow down in hanging branches. Its a fairly easy to look after house plant, we cover all you need to know…

Pilea Depressa Light Needs

Bright indirect sunlight is ideal. They will be ok in less light, but will grow slower. They can grow quite fast if given higher light levels.

How Often to Water

Check your plants each week and only water it if the top 50% or more is dry. They like to stay a little bit moist but must not sit in waterlogged soil as they can get root rot easily. Make sure you tip out excess water that might be left at the base as it can lead to a soggy bottom (!) and root rot.

Tip: they can get root easily, so make sure you have a well draining soil and you are not letting it get soggy by over watering, and don’t leave water in the tray under the plant, tip it out.

Fertilizer

They do not early need feeding but they will grow quicker if you give them a well diluted balanced fertilizer in summer. I would make sure it is really well diluted to avoid burn.

Pilea Depressa Soil

Pot them up in a well draining medium, you can use a mix of normal potting compost (80%) and perlite (20%). You don’t want the soil holding too much water, as this can encourage root rot.

When To Repot

Every Easter take your plant out of it’s pot and check it’s roots to see if they’re crowded. Then pot the plant up a size if needed. The reason for doing this at Easter is to give them rotos space to grow as the weather gets warmer and they will need it.

Humidity

They’ll be ok in most homes, but aim for 60% if you can. They do best at this level, and it really encourages healthy leaves. They do ok in lower levels though.

Tip: they will do just fine in normal household humidity, but they will thrive in even higher humidity levels, up to 60% or more, so a bright bathroom window is a great spot for them.

Temperature

Aim for 18°C to 25°C (64-77°F) during the day. Try to keep them above 10°C (5°F) in the winter and at night.

Pilea Depressa Propagation

It’s easy to propagate pilea depressa with propagation. Just take a cutting with 3 or 4 nodes, then trim the leaves off the lower nodes, and keep the leaves on the top ones. Put the cuttings in soil with the leaves above the soil and the stripped nodes below. It should root from the naked nodes over the next two months if you keep it warm and humid and in indirect sunlight. Then it can be treated as a juvenile plant when it starts to grow foliage from the top of the plant.

For more on pilea propagation see our guide: Pilea Propagation.

Is It Toxic To Cats?

Pilea are not toxic to cats and dogs (or humans for that matter).

Soleirolia Soleirolii Vs Pilea Depressa

They are really similar plants, both referred to as ‘baby tears’, the pilea’s leaves are a bit thicker and chunkier. The soleirolia’s leaves can grow very closer together, so it almost forms a carpet effect like a moss.

Pilea Depressa Growth Rate

They grow relatively fast for a house plant if given the correct care conditions.

Is Pilea Depressa A Succulent?

It is not technically a succulent, although it acts like one, it holds on to water in its leaves.

Pilea Depressa USDA Zone

Zones 10-12.

Where To Buy

Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.

Other Names

Baby tears, depressed clearweed.

Pilea Depressa Common Name: depressed clearweed.

Pilea Depressa FAQs and Common Problems

Pileas are really susceptible to root rot, so make sure you do not overwater them. After watering, tip out any excess water, do not leave any in the tray.

For more on pileas see our pilea category with all our pilea care and propagation guides.