Plant guide
Aluminum plant
Pilea cadierei
Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei) is non-toxic to cats. Check the scientific name to distinguish it from other plants with similar common names.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Pilea cadierei only. This guide does not cover watermelon peperomia or other plants with similar common names.
Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Pilea cadierei (image 30517)
By Daderot
License: CC0
Original downloaded image retained without botanical edits. Display resizing only.
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Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Pilea cadierei (image 30517)
By Daderot
License: CC0
Original downloaded image retained without botanical edits. Display resizing only.
Aluminum plant
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Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Pilea cadierei and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Pilea cadierei
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Urticaceae
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Pilea cadierei only. This guide does not cover watermelon peperomia or other plants with similar common names.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
Provide bright, indirect light and avoid full sun.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Keep the mix moderately moist while growing, with good drainage. Reduce watering from autumn through late winter.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
Provide warmth. No numeric growing range is proposed.
- Humidity
- Higher humidity
A humid growing area suits this plant; maintain air circulation.
- Potting
- Use a peaty, soil-based potting mix in a draining container.
- Through the year
- Pinch stem tips for a compact plant. Spring cuttings can renew older plants.
Growing-guide sources
- Pilea cadierei - Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-15
Species care entry; descriptive growing advice, not numeric indoor temperature evidence.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-15. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Aluminum plant ↗ASPCA Animal Poison Control · Accessed
Listed by the source as Pilea cadieri. ASPCA aluminum plant uses cadieri; Kew and NC State use cadierei for aluminum plant, and VPIS independently lists aluminium plant as Pilea cadierei. This is a proposed spelling-equivalence decision, not a genus-wide assessment.
- Botanical identity: Pilea cadierei ↗Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · Accessed 2026-10-15
- Pet safe plants ↗Veterinary Poisons Information Service · Accessed 2026-10-15
- Aluminum plant ↗ASPCA Animal Poison Control · Accessed 2026-10-15
Safety last reviewed .