Pilea peperomioides 'White Splash'

Cultivated form and natural range of Pilea peperomioides 'White Splash'

Pilea peperomioides 'White Splash' 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. In 2019, a European application was filed to protect 'White Splash' as a plant variety.

Keeping Pilea peperomioides 'White Splash' healthy indoors

• Light: Choose a bright indirect position and turn the plant periodically so it grows evenly. Filter strong direct sun.
• Watering and potting mix: Use a loose, well-draining houseplant mix. Check the surface and the weight of the pot; once the mix has started to dry, water it evenly and let excess water drain away.
• Shape: A tall stem carrying a broad top can be supported with a loose tie. Pups may stay around the base for a fuller plant or be separated once they have their own roots.
• Room conditions: Average indoor humidity is usually enough. Keep the plant away from cold draughts and strong sources of dry heat.
• Repotting: Repot when the roots crowd the container, the mix dries much faster than before or the old mix has become compacted.
• Feeding and propagation: Feed lightly while fresh leaves are developing. You can grow new plants from pups or healthy stem cuttings.

Problems to watch for with Pilea peperomioides 'White Splash'

• The stem leans and the crown opens towards one side: Light is weak or strongly one-sided. Move the plant to brighter indirect light and rotate it as new leaves develop.
• Yellow limp leaves appear with a soft stem base 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 or spreading leaf spots continue after the foliage stays wet: Wet leaves and poor air movement can encourage leaf spotting. Remove badly affected leaves, water the potting mix without wetting the foliage and improve air movement. Isolate the plant if fresh spots continue to appear.
• Cottony clusters or fixed brown bumps develop on stems and leaf stalks: Mealybugs or scale insects are likely. Confirm the pest, isolate the plant and use a treatment labelled for that pest on indoor ornamental plants, repeating it as directed on the label.

Pilea peperomioides ‘White Splash’ 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.

What does Pilea peperomioides mean, and who first published it?

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.