Which Pilea variety to choose?

The Pilea genus offers a great diversity of shapes and colors. Here’s how the Pilea Sugar stands out from other varieties in our catalog:

• Pilea Sugar (cadierei) (this plant): bright silver foliage, spectacular silver patterns, compact habit (20 cm). Classic silver version.
• Pilea Peperomioides: bright green round foliage, Chinese money plant, elegant upright habit. Iconic round version.
• Pilea Mojito: soft green foliage with silver touches, compact, fresh and bright habit (20 cm). Silver-green version.
• Pilea Depressa: bright green miniature foliage, trailing or creeping habit, adorable mini size. Mini trailing version.

Why choose the Pilea Sugar? If you're looking for a Pilea with spectacular silver foliage that brightens spaces with its luminous patterns, Sugar is the perfect choice. It is the most silver and luminous variety.

Exposure & placement

The Pilea Sugar enjoys bright indirect light to maintain its striking silver patterns. It tolerates partial shade but prefers a bright location to preserve its spectacular colors.

• Exposure: bright indirect light, partial shade, avoid direct sunlight.
• Ideal: office, shelf, windowsill, bedroom, kitchen, living room, or room with window without direct sun.
• Temperature: 18 to 27 °C, without sudden changes.
• Substrate: light, rich, and well-draining, universal potting soil with perlite.

Verdeia tip: the brighter the light (without direct sun), the more vibrant the silver patterns will be. In shade, the leaves turn greener.

Watering & care

• Watering: moderate; let the substrate surface dry between waterings.
• Frequency: about once a week in spring-summer, reduce to once every 2 weeks in winter.
• Drainage: essential — use a pot with drainage holes and well-draining substrate.
• Humidity: enjoys 50-70% humidity, mist occasionally or place near other plants.
• Fertilizer: once a month in spring-summer with diluted liquid fertilizer for green plants.
• Size: pinch the stems to encourage branching and a bushier habit.

Pilea prefers a slightly moist substrate but never waterlogged — avoid excess water that causes leaves to yellow.

Decor ideas & plant pairings

With its bright silver foliage and spectacular silver patterns, the Pilea Sugar brings a touch of freshness and elegance to your urban jungle. It creates a bright and sophisticated focal point.

• To pair with: Fittonia, Peperomia, Maranta, Calathea, or other small plants with graphic foliage to create a bright and colorful urban jungle.
• Ideal pot: matte ceramic decorative pot (white, gray, black, terracotta) or mini woven basket to highlight the silver foliage.
• Ambiance: perfect as an accent plant on a desk, shelf, windowsill, bedroom, or kitchen to add a bright touch.

The silver patterns create a spectacular luminous effect that brightens spaces and brings a touch of freshness and elegance.

Verdeia Tips

• Give it bright indirect light: to keep its silver patterns shining.
• Pinch the stems regularly: to encourage branching and a dense compact habit.
• Mist the foliage: to enhance its tropical freshness and preserve the silver shine.
• Turn the decorative pot every month: for even and balanced growth.
• Enjoy its fast growth: the Pilea Sugar grows quickly and branches easily.

A true tropical gem, the Pilea Sugar brightens the space with its spectacular silver patterns and fast growth. An ideal plant to bring freshness and elegance to your urban jungle.

Technical characteristics

• Botanical name: Pilea cadierei
• Common name: Pilea Sugar, Aluminium Plant, Aluminium Plant
• Family: Urticaceae
• Origin: tropical forests of Vietnam
• Dimensions at delivery: Ø13 × H20 cm
• Adult size: up to 30–40 cm indoors
• Exposure: bright indirect light, partial shade, avoid direct sun
• Watering: moderate, allow surface to dry between waterings
• Care: easy (perfect for beginners)
• Toxicity to animals: non-toxic
• Decorative style: Bright / Silver / Compact
• Particularity: bright silver foliage, spectacular silver patterns, air-purifying plant, easy to care for, non-toxic to animals, fast growth, compact habit

Each plant is unique: the photos show an example of its appearance. The intensity of the silver patterns and the density of the foliage naturally vary depending on growing conditions and the age of the plant.