Pilea mollis
Pilea mollis (Moon Valley) Care Guide
Featured photopilea-mollis.jpgPilea mollis is a Central American pilea with deeply quilted, chartreuse-green leaves marked by dark-bronze veins, giving the leaf surface a moonscape look. Most plants in trade are the Moon Valley cultivar. It is a soft, fast plant that makes a striking small-leaved companion to glossier houseplants.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 2 cm of mix has dried.
- Humidity
- 50–70 %
- Temperature
- 18–27 °C
- Soil
- Well-draining houseplant mix with perlite.
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic. (humans) · Non-toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA Pilea listing. (pets)
- Origin
- Central American forests.
- Mature size
- 20 to 30 cm tall, spreading.
Overview
Pilea mollis is closely related to P. involucrata; both are sold under the friendship plant name. The Moon Valley cultivar is the form most often seen in trade and the source of the moonscape leaf description.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light keeps the chartreuse colour bright.
- Pinch back to keep the plant bushy; legginess is the species's main fault.
- Take cuttings every 18 months as insurance.
- Avoid wetting the textured leaves; water spots are visible.
Common Problems
Drooping is thirst — water and the plant perks up within hours. Yellow leaves are overwatering. Loss of texture in old leaves is normal aging; new leaves arrive crisp.
Sources & further reading (3)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-28
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-28
- toxicity-database — accessed 2026-04-28
Frequently asked questions
Is friendship plant the same as Moon Valley?
Both names refer to Pilea mollis (and the related P. involucrata). Moon Valley is a cultivar with the boldest leaf texture.
Why are the new leaves smooth?
New leaves arrive smooth and develop their quilted texture as they mature. Give them a couple of weeks.
Outdoor plant?
Treat as houseplant or seasonal patio plant only — it is frost-tender.
