Pilea spruceana 'Norfolk'

Origin and background of Pilea spruceana 'Norfolk'

‘Norfolk’ is a horticultural cultivar. Its breeder, place of selection and early introduction history have not been established.

Growing Pilea spruceana 'Norfolk' indoors

• Humidity: The thin, textured leaves benefit from moderate to high humidity. Give the plant a little space around it so air can move between the leaves.
• Light: Bright indirect light keeps the short stems compact and the leaf colours clear. Protect it from hot direct sun.
• Watering: Check the surface and lift the pot. Water once the surface begins to dry, wetting the mix evenly before letting the excess drain.
• Potting mix and warmth: Use an airy houseplant mix with perlite, pumice or fine bark. Keep the plant in a stable warm room away from cold draughts and strong heat sources.
• Feeding and shape: Feed lightly while new leaves are opening. Pinch a stem just above a healthy pair of leaves if it starts growing much longer than the rest.
• Repotting and propagation: Repot when roots crowd the container or the mix becomes compacted. Healthy stem tips can be rooted in lightly moist potting mix.

Problems and solutions for Pilea spruceana 'Norfolk'

• New stems grow long with wider gaps between the leaves: Light is too weak. Move the plant to a brighter indirect position and pinch the longest shoots after healthy new growth appears.
• Crisp pale patches form on the raised leaf surface: Strong direct sun or a dry root ball has damaged the foliage. Move the plant into filtered light and restore steady moisture.
• Dark spots continue to spread across neighbouring leaves: Wet foliage and poor air movement can encourage leaf-spot problems. Remove badly affected leaves with clean scissors, water the potting mix without wetting the leaves and improve air movement. Isolate the plant if new spots continue.
• Lower stems turn soft while the mix remains wet: Root or stem rot is present. Unpot the plant, cut back to firm healthy tissue with a clean tool, discard all rotted material, then root healthy tips or repot the healthy rooted parts in fresh, loose potting mix.

Pilea spruceana ‘Norfolk’ 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.

When was Pilea spruceana first published, and what does it mean?

Pilea alludes to a felt cap through Latin pileus, referring to the small cap-like flower structure over its dry fruit. The species epithet spruceana honours the English botanist and explorer Richard Spruce.

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

Hugh Algernon Weddell first described Pilea spruceana in 1869 in Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis, volume 16, issue 1, page 161.