Friendship plant guide

Pilea involucrata, also called Pilea 'Moon Valley', Pilea mollis, Norfolk friendship plant

Published 2026-11-08

Quick care

Light: Bright indirect
Water: When the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry
Humidity: 50% or higher. It loves a terrarium.
Temperature: 15 to 27°C (60 to 80°F). Keep above 10°C (50°F).
Soil: Well-draining houseplant mix with perlite
Feeding: Half-strength fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Difficulty: Easy
Mature size: 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) tall
Propagation: Pot up the pups that grow from the roots and stem
Where to buy: Common

This page covers what makes friendship plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the Chinese money plant care guide.

What it is

Friendship plant is a pilea, but not the Chinese money plant. It is Pilea involucrata, a low, bushy plant with quilted leaves full of deep texture. The leaves are green to bronze with copper or purple tones. Select-A-Plant lists it at 8 to 30 cm (3 to 12 in) tall, with a creeping habit. It gets its name because it is so easy to share from cuttings.

How to tell it apart

Plant	Leaves	The tell
Friendship plant	Oval, quilted, bronze-green	Deep texture, like seersucker
Chinese money plant	Round, flat, smooth	Smooth round pancakes
Aluminum plant	Oval, silver patches	Silver patches between the veins

‘Moon Valley’, often sold as Pilea mollis, has bright green leaves with dark brown veins and deep quilting.

Care differences

It wants more humidity and more water than Chinese money plant. Keep the soil moist, not soggy. It thrives in a terrarium or bright bathroom.

It handles lower light than Chinese money plant.

Grow it from a cutting

Cut a stem tip and root it in water or moist soil. Roots form in one to two weeks.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists friendship plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Buying it

Friendship plant is common at garden centers, often in small pots. Look for bushy plants with no crispy edges.