Creeping Charlie.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial trailing herb

Light

Bright, indirect light is best for keeping the leaves vibrant.

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 5 to 7 days

Mature size

6 inches tall, 24 inches wide

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for drooping leaves as a sign that it needs a drink. Ensure it gets plenty of ambient humidity to keep the foliage looking its best.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch.

Feeding

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.

Pruning

Trim back long stems to encourage a fuller, bushier appearance.

Repotting

Repot when the plant becomes root bound or the soil loses its structure.

Soil

Well draining, peat based potting mix

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

15 to 27°C

Humidity

50 to 80%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper care.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

This plant is non-toxic to humans and pets.

Pets

This plant is considered non toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The small, succulent leaves may pose a minor choking hazard if ingested by small children.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Small, round, coin shaped leaves
• Deeply textured, crinkled leaf surface
• Trailing stems that root easily
• Bright green, succulent like foliage

Height

0.05 to 0.15m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

bright green, chartreuse, evergreen

Flowers

white, pale pink, 0.1 to 0.5cm

Problems to watch for

• Root rot · Occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long.
• Mealybugs · Small white cottony insects that hide in the leaf axils.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, division

When to plant

spring, summer

Overwintering

Keep the plant in a warm spot away from cold drafts. Reduce watering slightly if growth slows down during the darker winter months.

In containers

It is excellent for containers and hanging baskets, needing a pot at least 15 cm wide to accommodate its spreading habit.

Group this plant with others that enjoy consistent moisture to create a microclimate that boosts humidity levels.

Grows well with

• Ferns · They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
• Peace Lily · They make a lovely contrast in texture when grown together in a shaded spot.

Similar species

• Aluminum plant · It is a close relative with similar growth habits but striking silver markings.

Science

Family

Urticaceae

Genus

Pilea

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Caribbean and parts of South America.

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

It thrives as a creeping groundcover in moist, shaded tropical forest floors.

Uses

groundcover, hanging basket, terrarium plant

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are the leaves turning yellow?

This is often a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.

Does it need direct sun?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light to keep its foliage color vibrant.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Pilea comes from the Latin word pileus, referring to the cap-like shape of the flower parts, while the species name describes its coin-shaped leaves.

Good to know

• It is commonly called the creeping Charlie, though it is unrelated to the invasive weed of the same name.
• The species name nummulariifolia means coin-leaved in Latin.
• It grows very quickly in warm, humid conditions.
• It is a fantastic choice for a humid terrarium.