Where to Purchase an Artillery Plant: A Comprehensive Guide

The artillery plant, also known as Pilea microphylla, is a fun and unique houseplant known for its small, round leaves and occasional “popping” flowers. If you’re looking to add one of these plants to your home or garden, you may be wondering where you can find them for purchase In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the best places to buy an artillery plant, along with tips for selecting a healthy specimen.

What is an Artillery Plant?

Before we dive into the purchase options, let’s take a moment to better understand this interesting plant.

The artillery plant is a low-growing tropical plant that is native to Mexico and Central America. It gets its name from the small flowers that dot the plant throughout the year. These tiny greenish-white blooms eventually burst and scatter pollen around the plant, resembling artillery fire.

The foliage is the real showstopper on this plant. The leaves are very small, usually between an 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter. They grow in opposing pairs along slender drooping green stems. This gives the plant a delicate fern-like appearance.

There are a few different varieties of Pilea microphylla available:

• Green artillery plant – This is the most common variety, with solid green leaves. It has a mounding growth habit and typically reaches 4-6 inches tall.

• Variegated artillery plant – The variegated variety has delicate foliage striped in shades of pink, white and green. It demands more light to maintain its coloring.

• Creeping artillery plant – A trailing variety, the creeping artillery plant has a vining growth habit with stems that can reach up to 24 inches long.

Artillery plants thrive indoors in warm environments with high humidity and indirect sunlight. Their relatively small size makes them ideal for use in terrariums and fairy gardens. The plants rarely flower when kept indoors. Outdoors, artillery plants can be used as groundcovers in tropical landscapes.

Now that we’ve covered the basics on this plant, let’s explore the various options for buying one of your very own.

Check Local Nurseries and Garden Centers

An excellent place to begin your search is at a local retail nursery or garden center. Many independent nurseries will carry a selection of unique indoor plants like the artillery plant.

The benefit of shopping at a local nursery is that you can see and inspect the plants in person before purchasing. This allows you to pick out a healthy, vigorous specimen. Look for plants with:

• Full, vibrant foliage
• No visible pests or diseases
• New growth emerging

While availability will depend on your specific area, variegated artillery plants seem to be more readily available at local nurseries than the all-green variety. If a retail location doesn’t have the plant in stock, ask if they are able to order it for you.

Big box home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s typically won’t carry artillery plants, but it never hurts to check. The garden center at your grocery store is another option to investigate.

Purchase Online Through Plant Retailers

If you aren’t able to locate an artillery plant locally, purchasing from an online plant retailer is a convenient option. There are many specialized online nurseries that offer rare and unique houseplants, artillery plants included.

When buying plants online, be sure to shop with reputable retailers that have a strong track record of shipping healthy plants. Read customer reviews and check if the company has guarantees for live delivery. Here are some recommended online sellers to check out:

• Etsy – This online marketplace has many plant vendors, several of which carry artillery plants. Search for highly rated sellers located near your region.

• The Sill – An upscale online plant store with a good selection of unusual houseplants, including variegated and green artillery plants.

• Gabriella Plants – A specialty houseplant nursery with various artillery plant varieties available for order online.

• Steve’s Leaves – A family-owned tropical plant nursery in Florida that ships artillery plants nationwide.

• Glasshouse Works – An eccentric rare plant nursery with one of the largest artillery plant selections online.

No matter where you choose to order from online, be sure to closely review the plant profile for information on sizing, care requirements, and shipping restrictions. Artillery plants don’t do well in cold weather, so most sellers recommend spring through fall delivery only.

Check Specialty Plant Shops or Boutiques

For those looking for something truly unique, try scouting out a specialty plant shop or boutique in your area. These specialized plant stores typically carry rare, hard to find species that you won’t find at regular nurseries or big chain stores.

The staff at these shops are usually very knowledgeable about the plants they stock. They can provide guidance on selecting the perfect artillery plant specimen and advise on proper care once you get it home.

Be prepared to pay a little more for an artillery plant sourced from a plant boutique. But the price is often justified by the plant’s rarity and uniqueness.

Consider Plant Swaps or Trades

If you’re comfortable with used plants, a plant swap can be a fun way to source a free artillery plant. Plant swaps are events where gardeners trade cuttings and divisions from their home collections.

These are usually hosted by local gardening clubs and community organizations. With some basic supplies and gardening know-how, you may be able to trade another easy-to-propagate plant for an artillery plant division.

There are also many online plant trading groups and forums you can check out. Just be sure to follow proper trading etiquette and offer a comparable plant in return.

Attend a Houseplant Show or Exhibit

In recent years, houseplant shows have soared in popularity. These indoor plant exhibits and marketplaces bring together collectors and vendors to buy, sell, and trade rare tropicals.

Attending a houseplant show in your area can be an exciting way to discover new plant finds. Many plant artisans and specialist growers set up shop at these events. While availability varies between vendors, there’s a good chance you’ll spot artillery plants in the mix.

Even if you leave empty-handed, a houseplant show is a fun way to get inspired and connect with fellow houseplant lovers in your community.

What to Look for When Buying an Artillery Plant

Now that you know where to buy an artillery plant, let’s go over some tips on selecting a healthy, high-quality specimen:

• Seek out plants with no signs of disease, pests, or damage. Avoid plants with yellowing, spotting, or curling leaves.

• Look for full, vibrant green foliage. Variegated types should have nicely defined white/pink stripes.

• Search for plants with actively growing tips and new leaves emerging. This is a sign of a vigorously growing plant.

• For variegated varieties, only buy plants grown under sufficient light. Without enough light exposure the variegation will fade.

• Inspect the soil quality. Avoid plants with waterlogged or compacted soil.

• Consider the plant’s size and maturity. Both young plants and fully filled out plants have their advantages.

• For online purchases, review shipping practices and opt for faster shipping if possible.

Taking the time to carefully source and select an artillery plant will give you the best chance of growing a happy, healthy specimen in your home.

Caring for Your New Artillery Plant

Once you get your artillery plant home, be sure to get it off on the right foot by providing proper care. Here are some growing tips:

• Light – Place in bright indirect sunlight. Variegated types need 4-6 hours of direct