Plant family
Pileas & the nettle family — Urticaceae
38 species across 4 genera in the Growli library
The nettle family, minus the sting, gives houseplants the Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides), aluminium plant, baby’s tears (Soleirolia) and the trailing Pellionia — compact foliage plants for shelves and terrariums.
Browse pileas & the nettle family by genus
All pileas & the nettle family we cover
- Aluminum Plant (Watermelon Pilea)
- Artillery Plant
- Baby Tears (Pilea)
- Baby Tears Plant
- Baby's Tears
- Chinese money plant
- Creeping Elatostema
- Friendship Plant
- Moon Valley Pilea
- Pellionia daveauana
- Pilea 'Dark Mystery'
- Pilea 'Friendship'
- Pilea 'Moon Valley' (Friendship Plant)
- Pilea 'Silver Tree' (Pilea spruceana 'Silver Tree')
- Pilea aquarum
- Pilea cadierei 'Minima'
- Pilea cadierei 'Silver Tree'
- Pilea glauca 'Aquamarine' (Grey Baby Tears)
- Pilea grandifolia
- Pilea involucrata
- Pilea involucrata 'Norfolk'
- Pilea libanensis
- Pilea microphylla 'Variegata'
- Pilea mollis
- Pilea nummuarlifolia 'Bunny Ears'
- Pilea nummulariifolia
- Pilea peperomioides 'Minima'
- Pilea peperomioides 'Mojito'
- Pilea peperomioides 'Sugar'
- Pilea pubescens
- Pilea pubescens 'Silver Cloud'
- Pilea pumila
- Pilea serpyllacea
- Rough Pellionia
- Satin Pellionia (Trailing Watermelon Begonia)
- Sessile Elatostema
- Watermelon Begonia
- Wrinkled Elatostema
Pileas & the nettle family — frequently asked questions
Are pileas & the nettle family toxic to cats and dogs?
Most pileas & the nettle family are pet-safe. Of the 38 pileas & the nettle family we cover, 38 are non-toxic on the ASPCA list and 0 carry a toxic or mildly-toxic rating. Even in a mostly-safe family, confirm the individual species before trusting it around pets.
How much light do pileas & the nettle family need?
Most pileas & the nettle family want bright, indirect light — 29 of the 38 in our library do best there. If yours stretches toward the window or loses its variegation it needs more light; scorched or bleached leaves mean it is getting too much.
Are pileas & the nettle family easy to care for?
Pileas & the nettle family are moderate to grow: the one real requirement is a genuinely bright spot out of harsh midday sun. Get the light right and most of the rest of their care follows.
What is the Urticaceae family?
The Urticaceae family — the pileas & the nettle family — groups 38 species across 4 genera in the Growli library, most prominently Pilea, Pellionia, Elatostema. Members share a broadly similar light, water and soil pattern, which is why it pays to learn the family before the individual plant.