🌿 Terrarium Care Sheet
Pilea cadierei ‘Red’ (Red Aluminum Plant)
Growth habit: Compact, bushy, creeping/low-growing
Terrarium use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (perfect for midground or foreground coverage)
 
🌞 Light
Bright, indirect light ideal
Medium light tolerated but slows red pigmentation
❌ Direct sun = leaf burn
💡 Tip: More light = deeper red highlights on leaves
 
🌡️ Temperature
Ideal: 18–28 °C
❌ Below 15 °C = slowed growth, risk of leaf drop
Avoid cold drafts or sudden temperature swings
 
💧 Humidity
High humidity (70–95%) preferred
Thrives in closed or semi-closed terrariums
Mist lightly if terrarium is open
 
💦 Watering
Keep substrate consistently moist, but not soggy
Likes even moisture — let the top layer dry slightly between watering
❌ Overwatering = root rot
❌ Allowing substrate to dry out completely = leaf curl & stunted growth
 
🌱 Substrate
Prefers well-draining, airy mix:
Coco peat + fine bark + perlite + leaf litter
Can tolerate moss-mixed substrates
 
✂️ Pruning & Maintenance
Easy to prune to maintain shape and prevent legginess
Pinch back tips to promote bushier growth
Remove old or yellowing leaves promptly
 
🌿 Feeding
Light feeder
¼-strength balanced fertilizer every 4–6 weeks
Avoid overfertilizing — leaves may lose coloration
 
🐜 Pests & Problems
Rare in humid terrariums
Watch for spider mites in dry setups
Leaf yellowing = likely overwatering or low light
 
✅ Terrarium Uses
✔ Foreground or midground accent
✔ Adds color contrast to green mosses and ferns
✔ Compact, controlled growth makes it terrarium-friendly
 
⚠️ Straight Talk
Red pigmentation depends on light intensity — low light = mostly green leaves
Prefers stable, humid, warm environment
Looks best in medium to large closed terrariums with good airflow