Pilea mollis 'Moon Valley' (Moon Valley Pilea)

Moon Valley Pilea lives up to its name. The heavily textured leaves are deeply crinkled and puckered, creating a surface that looks almost topographic, like an aerial view of a landscape of hills and valleys. The color is a vivid chartreuse green with dark bronze veining running through each leaf, making it one of the more visually interesting small houseplants you can grow. It stays compact, typically under a foot tall, and works beautifully on a windowsill, desk, or in a terrarium-style arrangement.

Bright indirect light brings out the best color in Moon Valley Pilea. Too little light and the vivid greens fade. Direct harsh sun will scorch the delicate leaves. It prefers consistently moist but not waterlogged soil and does well with the moderate humidity levels found in most homes, though it appreciates a bit of extra humidity in very dry winter air.

This is a fast grower that may get a little leggy over time, but pinching back the tips keeps it bushy and also gives you stem cuttings that root easily in water or moist potting mix. Moon Valley Pilea is non-toxic to pets and people, which makes it an especially good choice for households with curious animals.