UK compost
What compost for pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) in the UK?
Pilea involucrata 'Moon Valley'
More about pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) in the UK
Which compost pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) needs
For pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. Use a light, moisture-retentive but free-draining mix. Add perlite for aeration and drainage. A peat moss or coir base keeps roots evenly moist without staying soggy. Always use a pot with drainage holes.In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
Pilea 'Moon Valley' (Friendship Plant) does not want a rich, water-holding compost — it wants sharp drainage. Cut peat-free multipurpose roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite, and always pot into a container with drainage holes. A "cactus and succulent" bagged mix is a ready-made shortcut.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Pilea 'Moon Valley' (Friendship Plant) in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. Use a light, moisture-retentive but free-draining mix. Add perlite for aeration and drainage. A peat moss or coir base keeps roots evenly moist without staying soggy. Always use a pot with drainage holes. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant)?
Not on its own — multipurpose compost holds too much water for pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) and will rot the roots. Cut it roughly 50:50 with horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite so it drains fast.
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) need grit or perlite added?
Yes — pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) must have sharp drainage. Add about one part horticultural grit or perlite to one part compost, and always use a pot with drainage holes.
What pot and drainage does pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Rich, well-draining peat- or coir-based mix (an African violet mix works well). Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) care
See the full pilea 'moon valley' (friendship plant) care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.