Product Description:
Peperomia are wonderful plants to grow indoors as they have so many features that make them ideal houseplants. With a great variety of beautiful foliage, and tolerating a wide range of growing conditions, they are ideal for anyone looking to expand their collection of houseplants. Peperomia are incredibly easy-going, low-care houseplants–great for beginners! Native to South American rainforests, Peperomia grow in the cool understory of the rainforest. Slow-growing and compact. The leaves, thick and plump, rippled, smooth, or shiny, can be various shades of green, red, gray, and cream. The pattern on the leaves may be marbled, striped, or a solid color. Peperomia plant flowers are tiny and inconsequential, growing in clusters on upright conical spikes. When small, peperomia houseplants can be used in dish gardens and terrariums. Indoors, mature peperomia plants never grow taller than 12”-18″ and are ideal for tables. Some varieties make excellent hanging plants. The most popular peperomias used as indoor house plants are the caperata and the obtusifolia varieties.
Light:
Peperomia plants grow well in the bright, indirect light provided by a west or east-facing window.
Water:
Allow the top 50% of the soil to dry out before you water. Over-watering, resulting in root-rot, is the main cause of serious peperomia plant problems. It’s best to water these plants from the bottom.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize monthly in the spring and summer with a balanced houseplant food diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength. It’s not necessary to feed a peperomia plant in the fall and winter.
Temperature:
Warm temperatures between 60°-80°F (15.6°-26.7°C) are best. Temperatures below 50°-55° F (10°-12.8°C) and cold drafts from windows and doors damage peperomia plant leaves.
Soil:
Use a well-aerated loose potting soil that drains quickly.
Humidity:
If your plant doesn’t get an outdoor vacation in the summer, place it on a tray of pebbles and water to increase ambient humidity, or invest in a small-scale humidifier to place nearby.
Pruning:
Lightly prune peperomia plants in the early spring to correct any leggy, sparse growth. Pinching back the stems will help maximize the plant’s lush appearance by encouraging more branching. Remove the end of each stem and the first set of leaves; you can pinch them off with your fingers or snip them off with hand pruners.
Repotting Peperomia Plants:
Most Peperomia plants don’t need repotted too often, and typically do better in pots that are a little on the small side, so feel free to keep your peperomia plant in it’s existing pot, as you are unlikely to be causing it much harm. It’s generally a good idea to repot Peperomia plants every 2-3 years to prevent the potting mix from becoming too compacted, which will reduce drainage over time. You can repot your Peperomia in a similar sized pot, or one a little bigger.
Propagating Peperomia Plants:
Peperomia plants can be propagated at any time, although springtime is when its growth is more active and likely the best time.
- First, you’ll need sterile pruning snips or scissors, a small pot, potting soil or orchid mix, plastic wrap, and a brightly lit location.
- Cut off a leaf including at least an inch of its stem from the mother plant.
- Place the cutting in a small container filled with potting soil, cut-end down. Place it in a bright spot with a lot of indirect light. Cover with plastic wrap to create a mini-greenhouse environment to help it retain moisture.
- Water consistently and never let the soil dry out. Roots will form within a few weeks; then, you can transplant your cutting into a larger container once it outgrows its original one.
