Scientific Name Pilea glaucophylla (shiny-leafed plant with leaves like felt caps)

Common Name Pilea Glauca, Silver Sparkle Pilea, Red Stemmed PIlea, Grey Artillery Plant, Pilea Greysy

Origin Native to Colombia

Description This Pilea grows in a fountain of miniature, rounded leaves which cascade over the side of the pot; in the wild it forms a carpet of foliage, spreading over ground or tree trunks to cover the space with its spread of tiny, silver-grey leaves. In its native rainforests, it's used to growing on the ground, in shady spots; as a houseplant, therefore, it will appreciate bright but indirect light (so it doesn't get sunburnt!) and a more humid spot just like the place it normally lives. Cuttings of this plant will also do well in a tropical terrarium, where they'll add a sprinkle of colour to your miniature landscape

Light
Bright, indirect light is best; it is used to being on the forest floor so direct sun can damage its beautiful leaves. Avoid locations that are very dark, though, as it still needs plenty of light to photosynthesise!

Water
Keep the soil moist, only allowing the top layer to dry out; bottom-watering (soaking the plant in water in a tray rather than pouring into the soil) is good for this plant as it stops the leaves getting too soggy and potentially rotting.

Humidity This plant will appreciate a humid environment, and will benefit from frequent misting, especially if it's in a hanging pot where it's more exposed to movements of heat in a room. Keep an eye out for browning leaf tips, which mean the plant is struggling with low humidity.

Soil
Use a well-draining soil, with added grit or pumice, to help stop the roots getting too soggy whilst keeping the plant moist. Repot every three years as the plant grows.

Food Feed every four waters in the growing season, reduce to every six in autumn and winter.

Temperature
Average household temperatures of about 18-24°C are fine- make sure it doesn't drop below 12°C in winter.

Pet-safe Yes, but too much nibbling won't be good for pets, small humans or the plant!

Sprouts Top Tips You can propagate this plant by using cuttings: take an 8cm-long cutting of healthy leaves from the end of a vine, remove the botom half of the leaves, and pot into soil. If there are already roots growing on the strands, it will propagate even more quickly; this is also a great way to fit this plant into a terrarium!