Image: AI generated
Creeping Charlie Plant Care
Pilea nummulariifolia (Sw.) Wedd.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pilea nummulariifolia is a beautiful trailing plant with small round leaves that resemble coins. It is a popular choice for hanging baskets or as ground cover due to its spreading growth habit.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect
65–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Creeping Charlie?
Water Creeping Charlie every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Where Is the Creeping Charlie Native To?
What Is the Creeping Charlie?
Creeping Charlie (Pilea nummulariifolia) belongs to the Urticaceae family within the Pilea genus. Creeping Charlie is native to Tropical regions of South America, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela. Creeping Charlie is also known as Creeping Jenny, Baby Tears.
Creeping Charlie displays a trailing, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Creeping Charlie produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers that are pale green or white.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Creeping Charlie?
Pilea nummulariifolia requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Creeping Charlie Need?
Creeping Charlie thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Creeping Charlie in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Creeping Charlie Prefer?
Pilea nummulariifolia grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Creeping Charlie prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Creeping Charlie?
Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Creeping Charlie to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Creeping Charlie?
Feed Creeping Charlie every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Creeping Charlie?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Creeping Charlie?
Creeping Charlie can be propagated through propagate through stem cuttings or by division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to friendship plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Creeping Charlie Toxic to Pets and Children?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Non-toxic to humans and pets
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Creeping Charlie?
Creeping Charlie is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Creeping Charlie Need?
Creeping Charlie grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Creeping Charlie is native to Tropical regions of South America, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela. In cooler regions, grow Creeping Charlie as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Creeping Charlie is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Pilea genus — compare its care with other Pilea species on PlantoScan.
Pilea is part of the Urticaceae plant family — browse all Urticaceae genera and species.
Creeping Charlie thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pilea nummulariifolia (Sw.) Wedd., family Urticaceae (first published in Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 3, 18: 225 (1852)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety of Creeping Charlie: non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: veterinary poison-control plant lists, matched by scientific name.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values (watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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