Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata): care and propagation

Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata) is a small, trailing tropical houseplant with velvety, quilted leaves. It grows best in bright, indirect light, warm rooms, and high humidity, in a peaty potting mix that stays lightly moist but never soggy. Water moderately in spring and summer and less from fall to late winter. Pinch the stem tips to keep it compact, and root the cuttings to share, which is how it got its name. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Choose friendship plant if you want a compact, easy houseplant for a bright bathroom, a terrarium, or a shaded windowsill with good humidity. Skip it for a dry room with no humidifier, or a spot in strong direct sun, since dry air and harsh light are the conditions it handles worst.

Looking for a houseplant that is easy to propagate? Friendship plant is one of the best.

Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata) is a tropical plant native to Central and South America, grown mostly as a houseplant. NC State Extension explains that it roots so easily from stem cuttings that sharing it with friends is simple, which gave it its common name. It grows well in humid spots like a bright bathroom or a glass terrarium.

Friendship plant basics

Friendship plant is a creeping perennial in the nettle family that grows 3 to 12 inches tall and wide, according to NC State Extension. Its velvety, crinkled leaves are dark green with bronze tones on top and red underneath. Indoor plants rarely flower. the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Buying friendship plant

You can find friendship plants at most garden centers and plant nurseries, and many online shops ship them.

Friendship plant care guide

Here are the basics of caring for a friendship plant.

Watering friendship plants

Friendship plant likes humid air, not soggy soil. Water thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes, then empty the saucer so the pot does not sit in water.

Water moderately during the growing season and less from fall to late winter, as NC State Extension recommends. Let the top of the mix dry slightly between waterings.

Light requirements for friendship plants

Give friendship plant bright, indirect light, which is what NC State Extension recommends for indoor plants. A spot near a bright window works well. If your home is dim, a grow light can fill the gap.

Keep it out of strong direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.

Fertilizer for friendship plants

Feed with a diluted liquid fertilizer about once a month in spring and summer while the plant is actively growing. Stop feeding in winter.

Humidity & temperature for friendship plants

As a plant from tropical Central and South America, friendship plant needs warmth and does poorly in dry air. NC State Extension recommends a warm, humid spot.

Keep it away from cold drafts, heaters, and air vents. If your home is dry, run a small humidifier nearby or grow the plant in a glass terrarium.

Repotting friendship plants

Repot every few years, or when roots fill the pot. Pinch the stem tips between repottings to keep the plant compact and bushy.

Potting soil for friendship plants

Use a peaty, soil-based potting mix, as NC State Extension suggests. It should hold some moisture but drain freely so the roots never sit wet.

Planter pots for friendship plants

Choose a pot with drainage holes. Plastic pots hold moisture longer, so water a little less often.

Clay pots wick water out of the soil and dry faster, so check the mix more often if you use one.

Propagating friendship plants

Friendship plant grows quickly and needs regular pinching to keep its shape. Instead of throwing the cuttings away, root them to make new plants.

To propagate friendship plant:

1. Trim off healthy stems that are around 4 inches long. Pick stems with several leaves.
2. To aid the propagation process, dip the tip of the stem in rooting hormone powder.
3. Plant your stem cuttings in moist, well-draining soil and water thoroughly.
4. Place the pot and cuttings in bright, indirect light with a plastic bag over the pot to trap moisture.
5. Roots usually form within a few weeks.

Common pests affecting friendship plants

According to NC State Extension, friendship plant has no serious pest problems, but mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids can show up. Spider mites are most common in dry air, so good humidity helps.

If you see small bugs or fine webbing, wash the foliage with soapy water, paying attention to the undersides of the leaves and the joints where leaves meet stems. Then treat the whole plant with insecticidal soap and repeat as the label directs.

Common diseases affecting friendship plants

Leaf spot and stem rot can occur, per NC State Extension. Water at the soil rather than over the leaves and keep air moving around the plant.

Root rot comes from soggy, poorly drained soil. Prevent it by letting the top of the mix dry slightly between waterings, using a free-draining mix, and growing the plant in a pot with drainage holes.

Friendship plant FAQ

Is friendship plant safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA lists Pilea involucrata as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

How much light does a friendship plant need?

Bright, indirect light, per NC State Extension. Keep it out of strong direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.

How often should I water a friendship plant?

Water moderately in spring and summer and less from fall to late winter. Let the top of the mix dry slightly, and never leave the pot sitting in water.

Why is it called friendship plant?

It roots so easily from stem cuttings that it is simple to share with friends, according to NC State Extension.

Does friendship plant flower?

It can produce small pinkish-green flowers in summer, but NC State Extension notes that indoor plants rarely flower.