Overview
Artillery plant is a small, tender evergreen perennial in the nettle family, forming a low, bushy mound 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall and 8-16 inches (20-40 cm) wide. The succulent, much-branched stems carry tiny oval leaves only 0.1-0.25 inch (3-6 mm) long, packed so densely that the plant takes on a soft, moss- or fern-like look. Leaf color is bright to mid-green, paling in strong sun. The common name comes from the male flowers, which build up pressure and release small puffs of pollen into the air, an effect seen when the plant is jostled in warm, dry conditions. Flowers are minute and greenish, with little visible color, so the plant is grown for its finely textured foliage rather than bloom. Pilea microphylla spreads by creeping stems that root where they touch moist soil, and it self-sows, escaping in warm regions to colonize cracks, pots, and greenhouse benches. It is tender and damaged by even light frost, limiting outdoor use to frost-free climates or seasonal and indoor display. In poor light the stems stretch and the cushioned habit loosens.
Native Range
Native to tropical and subtropical parts of the Americas, from Florida and Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean to South America. Pilea microphylla grows on damp rocks, walls, and shaded ground, and has naturalized in warm regions worldwide.Suggested Uses
Used as a groundcover and edging in frost-free gardens, as a filler in mixed containers and terrariums, and as a small houseplant for its mossy texture. It softens the front of shaded beds and the rims of pots. In cold regions it serves as a seasonal foliage plant moved indoors for winter.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Flowers nearly year-round in frost-free conditions, most heavily in warm, humid weather. The minute greenish flowers cluster in the leaf axils and carry little ornamental color. Male flowers shed pollen in small bursts, while female flowers ripen tiny seeds that scatter and self-sow.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in part shade to filtered light in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with a pH from 5.5 to 7.0. As a tender plant it needs temperatures above about 50 F (10 C) and is killed by frost, so it is kept indoors or under cover in cold climates. Even moisture and moderate humidity keep the foliage dense, while dry air and deep shade cause thin, stretched growth. It roots easily from stem cuttings and from pieces that touch damp soil, making increase simple. No heavy feeding is needed, and a dilute balanced feed during the growing season is enough. Because it self-sows and creeps, it can spread into neighboring pots and beds in warm settings.Pruning
Stems are pinched or trimmed at any time to keep the mound compact and dense. Cutting back leggy growth from low light prompts fresh branching from the base. Self-sown seedlings are removed where spread is unwanted.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons