Pilea Artillery Budkin

Plant shallowly in a fine, airy, fast-draining mix—think coco/peat with extra perlite or pumice so the roots never sit heavy. Level the surface; this plant carpets quickly in mini scenes. Always use Liqui-Dirt^® soil mix for best results in potted plants and enclosed growing habitats. Strata can be used in some applications; however, feeding will be needed. Keep the crown just above the surface so stems don’t stay wet. In tiny landscapes, Budkin containers with Strata and a leaf/corm guard keep foliage lifted, neat, and easy to trim.

Bright, indirect light to gentle morning sun keeps the mound dense and low. Too little light = leggy tufts; harsh midday sun can scorch. Under LEDs, low–moderate intensity for 12–14 hrs/day works perfectly.

Keep lightly and evenly moist—never boggy. In open pots, water when the top 1/2 in (1–1.5 cm) is just turning dry; in terrariums, water sparingly and use faint wall condensation as your cue. Prefers steady humidity around 50–70% with gentle airflow.

Best at 65–80°F (18–27°C). Shear lightly to keep a tidy carpet and to prevent it from outgrowing tiny neighbors. Rotate the planter for even growth; avoid heavy salts. Light feeding during active growth is enough.

A huge benefit for your plant is to use Liqui-Dirt^® plant food in a weak tea-looking mix every time you water — yes, even for enclosed habitats.