Pilea Norfolk Plants GrowTropicals
Pilea Norfolk — 8.5cm
Friendship Plant

Pilea Norfolk

£3.99 £4.99 SAVE 20%
Hard to killPet-safe
Pot size
8.5cm £3.99

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

Complete the set up
Terrarium Premium Substrate (ABG Mix)
The perfect soil Terrarium Premium Substrate (ABG Mix) · 2.5L · £5.99
Description

Pilea involucrata ‘Norfolk’ is a compact, creeping perennial grown for its deeply textured foliage and contrasting leaf colouration. This cultivar of Pilea involucrata forms low, spreading stems with opposite, ovate leaves that are strongly quilted. The leaf surface is dark green to bronze with pronounced silvery-green veining, while the undersides are flushed burgundy to red. New growth often emerges brighter green before deepening in colour as it matures.

Its naturally spreading habit makes it well-suited to pots, shallow planters or terrariums. Stems root easily at the nodes where they touch the soil, forming a dense mat over time. In indoor conditions in the UK, it typically remains under 30cm tall with a wider spread, making it perfect for growing indoors in smaller spaces.

Live Arrival Guarantee

All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

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Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

Changed your mind? See our Return Policy.

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7 day live arrival guarantee
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How to care for Friendship Plant

Keep me in bright, gentle light away from harsh sun and water me once my top few centimetres feel dry.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
Get to know me

About Friendship Plant

Pilea Norfolk is an easy-care houseplant. It needs bright indirect light, watering once the top 2 to 3cm of compost has dried out, a little extra humidity and a minimum temperature of 13°C. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Good for

Living Room Kitchen

Care level

EasyChallenge

Easy care

Light

ShadeFull sun

Bright, indirect light

This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light. Read moreShow less

This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light.

Learn more →

Watering

Evenly moistDries out fully

Let the top few centimetres dry out

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth. Read moreShow less

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth.

Humidity

Average homeHigh humidity

Prefers a little extra humidity

This plant will tolerate normal household humidity, but performs best with slightly higher levels. Like all tropical plants, good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. If you have a particularly dry home, grouping plants together can help to increase humidity. Read moreShow less

This plant will tolerate normal household humidity, but performs best with slightly higher levels. Like all tropical plants, good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. If you have a particularly dry home, grouping plants together can help to increase humidity.

Learn more →

Temperature

Keep above 13°C · Happy at normal room temperature

This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth. Read moreShow less

This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth.

Feeding

Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.

Soil & Substrate

Use our Simply Terrarium Potting Mix, a light, moisture-retentive blend that suits shallow roots.

Growth habit

Bushy →Trailing →

Plant type

Foliage houseplant →

Toxicity

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Plants still are not food, so a determined chewer may get an upset stomach.

Origins

Pilea 'Norfolk' is a selected cultivar of Pilea involucrata, a species native to tropical Central and South America and the Caribbean, where it grows as a small terrestrial plant on shaded, humid rainforest floors.

Also known as

Pilea Norfolk

Genus

Pilea →
More on caring for houseplants What does bright indirect light mean? Should I mist my houseplants?
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this plant grow in a terrarium?

Yes, an enclosed environment provides the consistent humidity and warmth they enjoy in the wild. Before choosing a plant, consider the size of your terrarium and how large the species will grow at maturity. Avoid fast-growing climbers or plants that need strong airflow, as these can quickly outgrow or struggle in a sealed setup. If you are unsure whether a specific plant suits your terrarium, feel free to get in touch and we will be happy to advise.

Is this plant a crawler?

Yes. Some aroids grow along the surface rather than climbing upward. Its thick rhizome creeps horizontally, producing each new leaf from the growing tip. Use a wide, shallow pot to give it room to move forward, and keep the rhizome sitting on or just above the substrate surface rather than burying it.

Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 48 hours with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Meet the family

Everything about Pilea

The Pilea genus is native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world—Asia, Central and South America, Africa. These plants range from tiny creeping ground covers to larger, upright varieties. Their natural habitats vary from misty forest floors to...

More about Pilea care
Pilea Care Guide
Why Grow Tropicals

Plants delivered the way they deserve

Packaged with Care

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

Verified reviews

Rated by real customers

Customers praised this textured plant as "lovely" and "beautiful" with unusual leaf coloring. Most shoppers received healthy specimens with excellent packaging, including heat packs. Some concerns about transit damage, brown/cut leaves on arrival, and small plant size. Growth potential is promising.

  • Lovely little plant with unusual leaf colouring - doubled in size
  • A beautiful plant, just as expected. Looking even nicer 2 weeks later
  • A lovely little plant with lots of texture
  • 5 stars: 17 (85%)
  • 4 stars: 2 (10%)
  • 3 stars: 1 (5%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
M
Marta Q (United Kingdom)
8.5cm

A beautiful plant, just as expected. In the picture you can see it on day 1 and a 2 weeks later it's looking even nicer.

Marta Q review photo
R
Rebecca M.
Perfect

Perfectly packaged

Rebecca M. review photo Rebecca M. review photo
L
Laura H.
Lovely colour

Lovely little plant with unusual leaf colouring - is it brown, is it red, is it silver? I got mine about a month ago now and it's doubled in size, so I'll have to pinch out the tips to make it bushier.

It arrived well packaged as always (along with the splendid Begonia in the photo).

Laura H. review photo
M
Marta (United Kingdom)
8.5cm

Some leaves were cut and brownish upon arrival, plant itself is sort of disappointing/weird 😅🤣

A
Anonymous (United Kingdom)
8.5cm

Very small plant and lost a quarter of growing shoots in transit. I hope it recovers.

L
Lynda

A lovely little plant with lots of texture to break up and flat areas.

R
Rob D.
Good specimen

Really nice. exactly what I was expecting.

P
Pamela L.
Lovely

Another lovely plant. Now living in my new terrarium :blush:

D
Debbie B.
My first order

So well packaged and heat pack was still warm. Plant is beautiful

S
Sally F.
Plant selection including pilea Norfolk

I bought a selection of plants as I'm planning on gifting teraniums for family and Friends at Christmas. They arrived within a few days and were in excellent condition. I'm really pleased with the quality and health of the plants and hope I can keep them looking as good until December.

S
Susan H.
Pilea Norfolk

a lovely small plant

L
Laura S.
Fantastic

Plants arrived really quickly and in a great condition. Really happy with the plants I received. Fantastic service

C
Caitlin R.
Love it

Came fast, healthy and undamaged

V
Veronica P.
Great seller, lovely plants, good

Great seller, lovely plants, good packaging.

C
Christina

My second order and I am obsessed. Packaged so carefully and properly for winter and the plants just took my breath away. Absolutely stunning examples. Thank you very much for another order. Would highly recommend.

C
Christina

My second order and I am obsessed. Packaged so carefully and properly for winter and the plants just took my breath away. Absolutely stunning examples. Thank you very much for another order. Would highly recommend.

S
STEVEN F.
lovely plant. pretty much same

lovely plant. pretty much same as picture. well packed. thank you

N
Nigel S.
5 stars

5 stars

R
Rebecca M.
Great site and service!

Great site and service!

E
Elaine G.
Great customer service and beautiful

Great customer service and beautiful healthy plant, excellent

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