Plant Care Gunpowder Plant

Gunpowder Plant

4.6 out of 5 (5 experiences)

Gunpowder Plant has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower
Gunpowder Plant has a Survivor plant personality Survivor

About Gunpowder Plant

Pilea plants are native to regions worldwide, and often have succulent, water-storing leaves. A handful of them are grown as houseplants, but the rest of the 600+ species are wild plants. Their name comes from the Latin for 'felt cap' which refers to the unique way that their fruits are protected. Fossils of Pilea species have been found dating back over 5 million years ago!

Taxonomy

Pilea microphylla
Pilea
Urticaceae
Rosales

Also known as

Rockweed, Rockweed, Artillery Plant and Pilea microphylla.

How to care for Gunpowder Plant

💦 Water

How often to water your Gunpowder Plant

Water needs for Gunpowder Plant
0.5 cups
every 9

Gunpowder Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Gunpowder Plant

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Rockweed in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Gunpowder Plant: 3ft from a window
3ft or less from
a window

Gunpowder Plant may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Gunpowder Plant in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Gunpowder Plant

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Gunpowder Plant: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Gunpowder Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Pilea
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Gunpowder Plant is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing Rockweed →

Common Rockweed Problems →


💦 Water Needs

Gunpowder Plant prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Rockweed Water Frequency →

Rockweed Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Gunpowder Plant may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Rockweed Light Requirements →

Rockweed Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Gunpowder Plant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Rockweed Toxicity to Cats →

Rockweed Toxicity to Dogs →

Rockweed Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

Gunpowder Plant doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

Rockweed Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Gunpowder Plant does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Rockweed →

When and How to Successfully Repot Rockweed →


💩 Fertilizer

Gunpowder Plant should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Rockweed →


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Gunpowder Plant to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Gunpowder Plant is native to Worldwide.


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Gunpowder Plant grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

How and When to Prune Rockweed →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Gunpowder Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Rockweed Temperature Tolerance →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Gunpowder Plant, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Gunpowder Plant

Gunpowder Plant

Gunpowder Plant


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Gunpowder Plant has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 2
Gunpowder Plant has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 2
@Sarimelati avatar
@@Sarimelati
leaf-1 33 Plants
xp 546 XP
globe Mashpee, MA
10/21/2021

Very pretty, remind me of the tree of life in mini version. Love it. Very easy to care

@baileytaylor avatar
@@baileytaylor
leaf-1 21 Plants
xp 321 XP
05/17/2021

leaves fall of easily

Survivor Survivor

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