Pileas prefer bright, indirect light and they grow towards the sun, so rotating your plant 2-3 times a week will help prevent it from growing lopsided. Avoid direct sunlight, as it may burn the leaves of your plant. Pileas can adapt to lower light settings, but the leaves will turn a darker green and your plant will spread out more.

Water once weekly, making sure that your Pilea’s soil has time to dry out on the surface in between waterings. While the Pilea prefers moist soil, allowing excess water to build up in between waterings can lead to root rot. If you notice your Pilea’s leaves beginning to curl that means the plant is lacking moisture. Conversely if the leaves begin to droop, it means that your Pilea has been overwatered. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again if your plant’s leaves start to droop. Check soil moisture regularly and adjust watering schedule as needed to prevent root rot.

Pileas are happiest in normal household temperatures of 65⁰F to 75⁰F. Pileas do not require extra misting or higher humidity than your average houseplant but can benefit from occasional misting. Just be sure to wipe excess water from their leaves, as misting can cause harmless but unsightly water spots and marks on your plant’s leaves.

Fertilize your Pilea once per month in the spring and summer months with liquid fertilizer. Don’t fertilize your Pilea in the fall and winter, as it will be dormant and needs that time to rest. If fertilized during the fall and winter, your Pilea will not absorb all of the nutrients from the fertilizer, leaving leftover nutrients in the soil that can make it salty over time.