Pilea peperomioides 'Sugar'

Origin and background of Pilea peperomioides 'Sugar'

Pilea peperomioides 'Sugar' is a cultivated form of a species native to southwestern Sichuan and western Yunnan in China, where it grows on shaded, moist rocks in mountain forests.

Growing Pilea peperomioides 'Sugar' at home

• Water and potting mix: Use a loose mix with good drainage. Water once the surface has started to dry and the pot has lost some weight, soaking the mix evenly before letting excess water escape.
• Light: Bright indirect light helps the plant stay compact. Rotate it as new leaves develop so it grows evenly and the stem stays upright.
• Pups and support: Leave pups around the base for a fuller clump or separate them once they have their own roots. A tall older stem can be tied loosely to a slim stake if the top becomes heavy.
• Feeding: Give a mild balanced houseplant feed while leaves and pups are appearing. Feed less often when growth slows.
• Room conditions: Normal household humidity is usually suitable. Choose a position sheltered from cold draughts and very dry heater air.
• Repotting and propagation: Repot when roots fill the container or watering becomes much more frequent. You can start new plants from pups that already have roots or from healthy stem cuttings.

Troubleshooting Pilea peperomioides 'Sugar'

• Fine pale stippling or webbing appears between the natural silver freckles: Spider mites may be present. Sugar's own markings stay flat and fixed in the leaf surface. Check the undersides, isolate the plant once mites are confirmed and use a treatment labelled for spider mites on indoor ornamental plants, repeating it as directed on the label.
• Small dark flies gather around persistently damp potting mix: Fungus gnats may be breeding in the wet surface layer. Let the surface dry more between waterings. If treatment is needed, use a product labelled for fungus gnats on indoor ornamental plants and repeat it as directed on the label.
• The stem stretches and leaf stalks lengthen noticeably: Light is too weak. Move the plant to brighter indirect light and rotate it as fresh leaves open.
• Lower leaves yellow and the stem base softens while the mix stays wet: Root or stem rot is developing. Unpot the plant, cut all soft brown tissue back to firm healthy growth with a clean tool, discard the rot and replant the healthy rooted parts in fresh, loose potting mix.
• Dark spots keep appearing after the leaves stay wet: Leaf spotting is developing. Remove badly affected leaves, water the potting mix without wetting the foliage and improve air movement; isolate the plant if fresh spots continue to spread.

Pilea peperomioides ‘Sugar’ is non-toxic to people and pets

• This plant is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
• Chewing a large amount can still cause an upset stomach.
• If a large amount is eaten and symptoms continue, contact a veterinarian or medical professional.

Pilea peperomioides: where the name comes from

Pilea alludes to a felt cap through Latin pileus, referring to the small cap-like flower structure over its dry fruit. Peperomioides means Peperomia-like and refers to round leaves carried on stalks fixed close to their centre.

John Lindley established the genus Pilea in 1821 in Collectanea Botanica, plate 4.

Friedrich Ludwig Emil Diels first described Pilea peperomioides in 1912 in Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, volume 5, page 292.