Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei)

Pilea cadieri (Urticaceae)

Also called Watermelon Plant.

Cats and dogs

Non-toxic to cats and dogs

Cats: non-toxic Dogs: non-toxic

Not expected to poison cats or dogs. Eating any plant can still cause vomiting or an upset stomach, so keep it out of reach of chewers.

Source: ASPCA entry "Aluminum Plant", checked October 3, 2026.

Give it bright indirect light and keep it out of full sun. The source's light ratings range from dappled light down to deep shade.

Direct sun: best kept out of it.

On our scale it grows well from about 10 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 0.5 (how these numbers are set).

Care level: Moderate. Water: Water moderately in the growing season and cut back from fall to late winter; poor drainage leads to root rot.

Likes high humidity; the best foliage is on young plants, so some growers restart it from cuttings each spring.