Pilea nummulariifolia (Creeping Charlie)

Pilea nummulariifolia, commonly called Creeping Charlie, is a fast-spreading trailing pilea from the Caribbean and tropical South America. Its tiny, almost perfectly round, heavily textured leaves are arrayed on delicate trailing stems that root wherever they contact moist substrate or hardscape, forming a dense, bright-green carpet that quickly covers bare areas in paludariums. The fine texture of its leaf surface catches and holds water droplets from misting, adding a glistening quality to the land section.

It is one of the fastest-growing and most reliably covering groundcover plants for humid vivariums and paludariums. While it can become invasive in large builds, regular trimming keeps it in bounds and the trimmings propagate effortlessly. It is an excellent plant for rapidly establishing the land section while slower-growing species become established.

Light: Medium indirect; 1,000–2,500 lux; tolerates lower light but becomes somewhat sparse. CO2/Humidity: No CO2; prefers humidity above 60%; keep substrate consistently moist. Fertilisation: Monthly dilute liquid fertiliser; minimal feeding needed as it is already a vigorous grower. Placement: Plant in any moist substrate in the land zone; trim regularly to prevent it from smothering smaller companion plants. Propagation: Press stem cuttings onto moist substrate; they root within days in warm humid conditions.