The artillery plant also known as Pilea microphylla is a fun and easy-to-care-for houseplant. With its quick growth habit and cascading foliage, it makes an excellent addition to both indoor and outdoor spaces. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about growing and caring for artillery plants.
About Artillery Plants
Artillery plants are herbaceous perennials that originate from tropical regions in South America. They are characterized by their oval-shaped succulent green leaves that are attached to long creeping stems. The leaves grow in pairs that alternate along the stems giving the plant a unique fern-like appearance.
The common name “artillery plant” refers to the plant’s flowers. The small male flowers eject pollen into the air when they bloom, appearing like an artillery attack. This explosive pollen release gives the plant its other common names like “gunpowder plant” and “pistol plant”. While indoor artillery plants rarely bloom, watching this process in an outdoor specimen is a fascinating experience!
In ideal growing conditions, artillery plants reach a mature size of 6 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide. The long trailing stems lend well to hanging planters, allowing the foliage to gracefully cascade over container edges. Their low-maintenance and rapid growth also make them popular staples in both indoor and outdoor gardens.
Growing Conditions
Artillery plants thrive in warm, humid environments with filtered sunlight. Here are their preferred growing conditions:
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Temperature: Average room temperature between 65-80°F. Avoid cold drafts.
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Light: Bright, indirect sunlight. Some morning sun is tolerated.
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Soil: Well-draining and slightly acidic soil, pH 5.5-6.5.
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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Allow to partially dry between waterings.
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Humidity: Prefers average household humidity around 40-50%. Increase levels with a humidifier or pebble tray.
When grown as houseplants, providing the right conditions is essential to keeping artillery plants happy and healthy. They make excellent additions to bright bathrooms and kitchens where humidity levels tend to be higher. Adding a pebble tray or grouping plants together also helps increase moisture in the air.
Outdoors, artillery plants grow best in the dappled sunlight beneath larger trees and shrubs. They thrive in the understory of tropical forests. A north or east-facing patio can replicate these conditions for container-grown plants.
Planting Artillery Plants
Artillery plants can be grown from seeds, stem cuttings, or purchased as young starter plants. Seeds are often difficult to find commercially. Taking cuttings from a mature plant is the easiest propagation method. Here’s how to do it:
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Cut a stem right below a node. Choose a section around 4 inches long.
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Remove the lower leaves and place the cutting in water.
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Change the water regularly until roots form after a few weeks.
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Plant the rooted cutting into a pot with well-draining soil. Water well.
To plant young starts, choose a container with drainage holes that is 2-3 inches wider than the current nursery pot. Artillery plants have spreading root systems and appreciate having extra room to grow.
Use a standard potting mix and plant at the same level the plant was growing in its nursery pot. Gently loosen any circling roots before backfilling soil around the plant. Water thoroughly after planting and place in a spot with bright, indirect light.
Artillery Plant Care
Caring for artillery plant houseplants is relatively simple. Follow these tips to keep your plant healthy:
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Water whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings.
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Mist leaves regularly or use a pebble tray to boost humidity.
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Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Prune back wayward stems to encourage fullness.
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Repot annually in the spring into a container one size larger.
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Propagate new plants from tip cuttings to renew older plants.
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Rotate plants regularly to prevent uneven growth toward light sources.
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Keep leaves dust-free by wiping with a damp cloth. Use room temperature water.
With the right care, artillery plants are vigorous growers and excellent display plants. Allow the long stems to trail over the edges of shelves and hanging baskets. Trim back wayward growth occasionally to keep plants full and compact.
Common Problems
Artillery plants are relatively pest and disease resistant when provided with good care. Here are some potential issues to watch for:
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Leaf spots: Can indicate overwatering or high humidity. Improve airflow and reduce watering frequency.
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Brown leaf tips: Caused by dry air or watering issues. Increase humidity and adjust watering habits.
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Leggy growth: Results from insufficient sunlight. Move plant or prune back stems to reshape.
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Dropping leaves: Can signal overwatering, under-watering, or stress from environmental changes. Modify care accordingly.
With proper growing conditions and plant care, artillery plants are vigorous growers and adapt readily to indoor environments. Their cascading habit adds a fun vertical element to both home and office spaces.
Final Thoughts
Artillery plants are easy-care houseplants with pretty trailing foliage that adds a decorative touch to indoor spaces. Provide them with a spot that offers bright, indirect sun, maintain consistent soil moisture, and prune back any wayward stems. Their rapid growth and ease of propagation from stem cuttings make them fun plants for both beginning and experienced gardeners!
How to fertilize artillery plant
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 plants nutrients, repot your artillery plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
artillery 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.
artillery 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 .
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
artillery 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.
artillery 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!
artillery 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!
It’s common for artillery plant to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
artillery plant is native to Worldwide.
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.
Finding light for artillery plant in your home
artillery 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 artillery plant in your home .
Pilea Microphylla Artillery plant care & Tips.
FAQ
Why is my Artillery Plant turning brown?
Why is my Artillery Fern dying?
Is an Artillery Plant a perennial or annual?
How do you care for an artillery plant?
Part of your artillery plant care includes keeping the soil moist, but not soaked. Water when the soil is dry to the touch. Fertilization every few weeks promotes growth. Artillery plant info recommends feeding with a balanced houseplant food every five to six weeks. Artillery plant care also involves grooming the plant for desired shape.
Where should artillery plants be planted?
When considering where to grow artillery plants inside, choose a southern window, away from drafts. Artillery plant care includes placing the plant where day-time temperatures remain at 70 to 75 F. (21-24 C.) and 10 degrees cooler at night. Part of your artillery plant care includes keeping the soil moist, but not soaked.
Are artillery plants hardy?
Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 11-12 and is typically grown as an annual or indoor plant in cooler climates. Uses: The Artillery Plant is used as an ornamental plant in rock gardens, terrariums, and as a ground cover in warm climates. It’s also popular as a houseplant due to its adaptability and ease of care.
Are artillery plants poisonous?
Uses: The Artillery Plant is used as an ornamental plant in rock gardens, terrariums, and as a ground cover in warm climates. It’s also popular as a houseplant due to its adaptability and ease of care. Toxicity: Pilea microphylla is considered non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe choice for households.