Aluminum Plant Care: Invest In This Easy Care Plant Right Now

If you are looking for a low-maintenance indoor plant, look no further than the Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei). The striking silvery-green foliage of this plant will surely improve the appeal of your indoor garden. Aluminum plant care is easy, as this tropical plant basically takes care of itself.

Native to China and Vietnam, this fast-growing plant has a clumpy growth and maxes out at 12 inches as a houseplant. Native to shady conditions, this plant is ideal for areas with bright, indirect light. This plant flowers rarely; however, its most cherished feature is its foliage.

So let’s explore more about Aluminum plant care and how you can grow this low-maintenance plant easily at home.

Aluminum Plant: Overview

The silvery-green foliage of the Aluminum plant looks like it has been painted with metal, hence the name. Otherwise, the leaves of this plant are oval-shaped and evergreen with distinct blunt notches on their borders. Moreover, this plant can also bear small white flowers. This plant is grown as a houseplant and is purchased in a young state; however, you can also grow it from seeds in spring.

Aluminum Plant Care: Basic Checklist

Aluminum Plant Care

This plant is very easy to care for and also forgives a few mistakes. Here is the basic care guide for the Aluminum plant.

Light

Aluminum plants thrive in bright, indirect light. However, this plant can also tolerate low to medium light. Place it in a favourable condition where they can receive adequate sunlight. An aluminum plant can tolerate direct sunlight, but too much can scorch the foliage. Whereas a lack of light can result in leggy and stretched growth. The ideal conditions for this plant are 3-5 hours of bright, indirect sunlight.

Water

Watering is an essential part of aluminum plant care. This plant prefers consistently moist soil, but water only when the top 1 inch of the soil feels dry. During the active growing season from spring to fall, the aluminum plant may require more frequent watering – every 3 to 5 days, depending on the surroundings of the plant.

Reduce watering in fall and winter when the plant enters its dormancy. Schedule it for every week to every 2 weeks for better aluminum plant care. However, never let the soil dry out completely.

Soil

Any well-draining, moist, and nutrient-rich soil will work great for this plant. For better aluminum plant care, use a potting mix with peat moss and perlite in equal parts. Make sure the soil can retain moisture without getting waterlogged, as it can cause root rot.

Moreover, this plant is adaptable to slightly acidic and neutral soil.

Temperature and Humidity

Since they are native to tropical and humid environments, aluminum plants thrive in similar conditions. The ideal temperature range for these plants is between 60℉ and 75℉; this plant can handle temperatures below 60℉ for only a short period of time. Temperatures lower than 50℉ or above 80℉ can damage the plant.

For better aluminum plant care, 50% to 70% humidity is preferred. Use a humidifier or pebble water tray if the humidity in your home is on the drier side. Moreover, keep your plant away from heat vents, fireplaces, radiators, and AC vents.

Fertilizer

For aluminum plants, an all-purpose fertilizer will provide all the necessary nutrients. Feed the plant during its active growing season in spring and summer once a month. Dilute the fertilizer to half its strength before using. Avoid feeding the plant in the fall and winter months.

Pruning

The aluminum plant is a fast grower, so it is recommended to pinch back its stem tips occasionally. This will keep the plant compact and maintain its bushy appearance. If your plant starts flowering (which rarely happens as a houseplant), remove it to shift its energy to focus only on foliage growth.

Potting and Repotting

When the roots of your aluminum plant are visible from the drainage holes of its pot, it is time to repot the plant. Use a pot that is 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot and has a larger drainage hole. Add fresh potting soil and water the plant thoroughly after potting it.

However, if your plant is old and has lost its luster, you can just propagate a new one.

How to Propagate an Aluminum Plant?

Young aluminum plants have beautiful foliage, and they can be easily propagated via stem cuttings, giving you a chance to start fresh every spring. Here’s how you can propagate these plants –

• Use clean and sharp garden tools to cut a healthy 3-4 inch long stem from the plant after the new growth has sprouted.
• Remove some leaves from the bottom of the stem and place them in a glass of water. Change the water when it starts to get foggy.
• In a few weeks, roots will start to form, and the cutting can then be shifted to a pot filled with potting mix. Keep the pot under bright and indirect sunlight and maintain consistent soil moisture.

Common Problems With the Aluminum Plant

Aluminum plant care is easy, making this plant great for new gardeners; however, just like most houseplants, this plant is also susceptible to various problems that you should be aware of –

• Pests – Various common pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, and scale insects can infest the aluminum plant. Remove the pests by spraying them with a jet of water, and treat the plant with insecticidal soap if the infestation is persistent.
• Diseases – This plant is also prone to various fungal plant diseases, such as powdery mildew and root rot, which are usually caused by overwatering or high humidity around the plant.
• Yellow or Brown Leaves – The common culprit for yellow or brown plant leaves is the blight disease. It is recommended to remove the infected parts to limit the spread of the disease.
• Flowering – Aluminum is an indoor flowering plant, even though it might bloom very rarely. Flowering takes up a lot of the plant’s energy, causing damage over time, so it is recommended to remove them.

FAQs

Are aluminum plants easy to care for?

Yes, aluminum plants are very easy to care for and are therefore recommended for novice gardeners.

Is an aluminum plant an annual or a perennial?

In tropical climates, the aluminum plant can be grown as an evergreen perennial.

How to water aluminum plants?

Water this plant only when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Aluminum plant thrives in consistently moist soil, but do not let this plant sit in water.

What is the ideal soil for aluminum plants?

Any potting mix that is ideal for tropical indoor plants, is well-draining, and nutrient-rich will work for your aluminum plant.