Leaf miniatures
Tiny glossy blades repeat at close intervals, creating a finely detailed texture.
Pilea depressa 5.5cm
Normal price
€3,90
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Pileadepressa
Hang it up… and it won’t want to stop trailing 🪢
- Urticaceae
- Tiny round leaves
- Creeping and trailing growth
- Rooting at the nodes
- Dense green mat
Pilea depressa weaves a low network of fine stems and tiny, nearly round leaves in clear green. From above it reads as a compact mat, while at the pot edge it turns into a soft green curtain.
As the stems lengthen, Pilea depressa turns the rhythm of small leaves into a continuous green line, looking different from above and when cascading from height.
What makes it special
Leaf scale, quick lateral growth and the ability to root at nodes build its characteristic density.
Mat or cascade
The same creeping stems spread horizontally over a surface or fall when they meet the pot edge.
Density from many nodes
Each closely spaced node can produce leaves, lateral growth and, when touching moist mix, new roots.
Why you’ll love it: it fills small surfaces with living green and shifts easily from a low mat to a fine trailing line.
In your space Placement & plant pairings Where it looks its best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
On a bright shelf, in a small hanging pot or in a terrarium, where the stems can spread or trail freely. A small turn every few weeks keeps the silhouette balanced.
Plants that complement it
Choices with compatible light needs and contrasting textures keep the arrangement balanced.
- Fittonia albivenis — bold venation at a low scale under similar filtered light.
- Peperomia rotundifolia — tiny fleshy leaves in a looser trailing line.
- Selaginella kraussiana — a very fine green carpet for a change of scale.
Care at a glance
Light
Bright, indirect light. Gentle morning sun is usually safe; harsh midday sun can mark the leaves.
Water
As soon as the surface dries slightly. Check the 5.5 cm pot more often because the small root ball dries quickly; water evenly and let all excess drain away.
Atmosphere
Average household humidity and roughly 16–26°C, without cold draughts or continuously wet foliage.
Pets
Pilea are generally considered low risk for cats and dogs, but no ornamental plant is intended for eating.
Chosen for this plant
Substrate & nutrition
Detailed care Complete care guide Light, watering, humidity, substrate and nutrition in detail
Light and position
Keep it near a bright window with filtered light. Low intensity stretches petioles and internodes, while sudden strong sun causes scorch.
Correct watering
Let the surface dry slightly, then water until it runs from the base. Because the 5.5 cm root ball loses moisture quickly, check it more often without keeping it continuously wet, and do not wet only the surface.
Air humidity
Normal household humidity is sufficient when watering is consistent. Gentle air movement helps dense or low stems stay clean.
Temperature
Aim for a stable range of roughly 16–26°C. Cold glass, air conditioning and abrupt changes can cause leaf drop or darkening of soft tissue.
Substrate
Choose an airy, lightweight mix for tropical plants, with balanced moisture retention and rapid drainage of excess water. Drainage holes remain essential.
Nutrition and repotting
In spring and summer use a balanced liquid fertiliser for foliage houseplants at a low concentration, once a month and only on already moist mix. Pause feeding when growth slows in winter. Repot only when roots have genuinely filled the pot, moving up by one size.
Botanical identity Origin of the species The species’ native range and nomenclatural history
The species Pilea depressa
Pilea depressa is an accepted species in Urticaceae. Its current name was published in 1856, based on an earlier description of the species.
From Urtica to Pilea
Olof Swartz described the species in 1787 as Urtica depressa. In 1856 Carl Ludwig Blume transferred it to Pilea, retaining the epithet depressa; this is why the full botanical citation reads Pilea depressa (Sw.) Blume.
From Cuba to Hispaniola
Its native range is Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, in wet tropical habitat where it grows as a low subshrub.
Greenleaf for Plant Nerds Scientific facts nobody asked for Botanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Creeping growth clones the plant
When a node roots, the section on either side can continue as a functionally independent unit. This quickly creates a continuous mat of genetically identical stems.
The family does not mean it stings
It belongs to Urticaceae but lacks the powerful stinging hairs of common nettles. The relationship rests on deeper morphological and genetic traits.
Small leaves shorten transport distances
In a very small blade, water and sugars move short distances between veins and tissues. This suits fine, rapidly branching stems.
Density changes the microclimate
A compact mat slows air movement near stems and retains more humidity than a sparse plant. The surface therefore needs both airflow and drainage.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about growth and the plant’s most common signals.
01 Why are sections dying in the centre?
Very dense foliage can shade the base and trap moisture. Remove dead material, improve gentle airflow and check that the mix is not staying continuously wet.
02 What do yellow leaves mean?
One old lower leaf may be ageing normally. Several yellow leaves together call for a check of moisture, drainage, temperature and roots before watering again.
03 Is it suitable for a terrarium?
Yes, provided it has bright indirect light, an airy substrate and enough ventilation to prevent the foliage from staying continuously wet. Light trimming controls its spread when needed.
04 Why are the edges turning brown?
Check low air humidity, irregular watering, salt build-up and harsh sun. Do not automatically add water if the substrate is still moist.
05 When does it need repotting?
When roots have genuinely filled the pot, water passes through too quickly or the plant becomes unstable. Move up one size and retain an airy mix.
06 Is it safe for pets and children?
Pilea are generally considered low risk for cats and dogs. No ornamental plant is intended for eating, however; discourage chewing and seek professional advice if any symptom appears.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.