Moon Valley Friendship Plant: How to Grow and Care

Moon Valley Friendship Plant – The indoor gardener has a plethora of lovely houseplants at his or her disposal. For their fluffy, quilted leaves and simplicity of maintenance, friendship houseplants are a popular choice among homeowners.

In order to survive, the Pilea involucrata plant needs mild temperatures and continuous humidity, but other than that, the plant’s demands are rather simple. Continue reading to find out how to care for a friendship plant, which produces an eye-catching textured leaf specimen that can liven up any room in your house.

Indoors, the moon valley friendship plant has quilted leaves that are apple green with rich golden veins, which make it a pleasure to cultivate. Pilea is a genus with hundreds of species, and this particular specimen is one of the few that can be cultivated as an indoor plant. One of the most commonly grown varieties is “Moon Valley,” which is shown here. Pilea mollis is another name for this plant.

Although ‘Moon Valley’ is a trailing plant, it has a more upright growth habit than the species. Its dark-red undersides are visible on the undersides of its serrated, finely textured leaves. In the spring, clusters of small, pink-green flowers may occur, but they are modest when contrasted with the dazzling foliage that surrounds them.

Pilea thrives in a wet potting medium with high humidity, warm temperatures, and high temperatures. You can satisfy the needs of this tropical houseplant, and you’ll be rewarded with lush, colorful leaves. Make sure to root those cuttings, and you’ll have a growing collection of friendship plants to enjoy for years to come.

Moon Valley Friendship Plant Care Tips

• Light levels range from moderate to brilliant. Make sure to place your plant near a window but away from direct sunlight, which might burn the leaves of your plant. Every few days, rotate Pilea involucrata by a quarter turn to ensure that all of its sides are exposed to sunshine.
• Water: Fill a container with drainage holes and fill it completely with water. Allow the water to drain completely before emptying the drainage tray. It’s important to let the potting material dry out between watering; the Friendship Plant will not tolerate moist soil and will suffer from root rot. If possible, keep it somewhat drier throughout the winter months, when development is slower.

• Humidity level: A high level of humidity is required. It is preferable to utilize a humidity sensor near your plant rather than make educated guesses. We may not be aware that our indoor air is becoming increasingly dry, particularly during the winter months, but it is happening. If the relative humidity falls below 50%, set the pot on a tray of wet pebbles or use a cool-mist room humidifier to raise the humidity. Among its many uses, Pilea involucrata is an excellent terrarium plant.
• Temperature: This tropical native prefers temperatures ranging from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 27 degrees Celsius). Keep it away from heat/air conditioning vents and drafts coming in via doors and windows. In the winter, it can withstand temperatures as low as 55°F (13°C).

• Soil: a peat moss-based mix or African violet potting mix are also suitable options.
• Fertilizer: Feed once a month in the spring and summer with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) that has been diluted by half.
• Propagation: Take stem tip cuttings in the spring to propagate your plants. In a damp potting mix, place the stem, then firm the material around the stem to ensure that it stands upright. Enclose the whole pot in a plastic bag to keep the humidity in the pot. Typically, cuttings take approximately a month to root.

Growing Moon Valley Friendship Plant from Cuttings

You may try growing the moon valley friendship plant from pinched stem tips in the spring if you want to see how they turn out.

Prepare your potting mix by wetting it and pressing it around the stems to ensure that they stand erect. In order to maintain humidity, place the whole pot in a plastic bag, then place the entire contraption in a medium-light environment.

Occasionally check the soil and hydrate it as needed, but avoid soggy soil, which might rot the stem fragment before it has a chance to form roots. Remove the bag once a day to allow air to flow around the plant and allow it to breathe.

The cuttings will root quickly and should be ready to plant in a few short weeks. You will then have an abundance of these plants to share with others, give as gifts, or keep for your personal delight.