This short lived perennial may be grown as an annual and has glabrous succulent branched stems that form a compact spreading habit. It has numerous tiny oblong bright green leaves and the small cream coloured flowers appear in late spring.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Pilea microphylla is naturally found in North America from Florida to Mexico and the West Indies extending to South America growing as an understorey plant in rainforests.

It prefers a semi shaded to bright indirect light with high humidity and grows in organic rich well drained moist soil with wind, frost and drought protection.

The Artillery Plant is grown for its fern-like appearance and is planted in shaded rockeries or borders. It is also planted around water features or grown in containers establishing in one season. It is suitable for coastal regions and in cooler climates it is planted as an annual or grown as a glasshouse, terrarium or indoor specimen. ID 2882

Pilea(PEE-lee-a) microphylla(myk-ro-FYL-la)

Urticaceae(URT-ee-KAY-see-ee)
Nettle and Ramie Family