Tips For Growing A Peperomia Houseplant

by GreeniumIndia India Greenium

Peperomia plant grows naturally in South Africa and some parts of Africa. This plant has beautiful leaves and is grown as an indoor plant in the rest of the world. There are many varieties available of Peperomia plants such as watermelon peperomia, baby rubber plants, peperomia Jayde, rainbow peperomia, and radiator plants.

Jayde Peperomia is suitable for hanging baskets while baby rubber plants can be easily fit on shelves and tables because they are small enough. They normally look great in a simple white mid-century planter.

Tips for growing peperomia plants

Peperomia plants are suitable for indoor gardens and other indoor spots because they have a small root system. Use a mixture of half peat moss and half perlite for best results. You can also mix some fine gravel into the soil.

It helps the plant's roots in getting air which is essential for thriving. There is no need to change pots very often when your plant grows indoors because they thrive best when they are over-planted rather than under. You can also grow them on top of damp moss.

They do well in aerated soil while growing outdoors. Make sure don't put them in extremely sunny or dark areas as well. If you are growing a peperomia plant as a houseplant they will be happy anywhere in the middle.

They thrive well under fluorescent lights too which makes them an ideal plant for the office and many different indoor spaces. Increase the amount of light if your peperomia is growing slowly. Scorching leaves is a sign that plants are getting too much direct sunlight.

Plant them in a place where they can get a little morning sunlight while growing outdoors. Temperature between 55 to 75 degrees is best for peperomia plants; generally, the commercially available varieties of peperomia plants can thrive in any humidity.

Occasionally misting is helpful if you notice dust building upon the leaves. don't place them in cold draught windows because they cannot handle it, choose an area where it can get a constant temperature. The soil of the plants should be dry before the next watering.

They do well when you water them from their roots. In winter, let them sit in a pan of water for a few minutes every week when you are growing them as an indoor plant but don't get the crown of this plant wet. Give them good watering from the top under running water at the end of spring, it will remove salts that this plant builds up.

Water the plant properly when the soil is completely dry while growing outdoors. Water the plant deeply but don't overwater. Fertilize peperomia plant regularly every two weeks during the spring and summer with a 20 20 20 fertilizer which contains equal parts of Nitrogen, potassium, and iron.

Use the fertilizer diluted to half strength before applying. Dilute the fertilizer to half strength before applying it. In the fall and winter, you can use fertilizer once a month. Don't. apply the fertilizer on the leaves but to the soil around the roots.

Remember that a small pot is better for a peperomia plant than the big one. There is no need to repot the peperomia plant unless the roots come out of the pot’s drainage holes. Be very careful while repotting the peperomia plant as the delicate roots of this plant can be easily damaged.

Pruning is very helpful in the early spring for a fuller appearance. using your thumb and forefinger, simply pinch off the end of the stem and the first leaves. You can also take the help of pruning shears if you are unable to pinch off the first leaves at the end of the stem.

Soak the pruning shears in a diluted bleach mixture before pruning and wipe off gently. The propagation of peperomia plants depends on the type that you have. Peperomia is very easy to propagate. The best time for propagation is during the late spring and early summer.

Simply cut off a piece of the stem with a leaf with a tall upright plant. Cut off the leaf near the center of the plant with the Bushy type of peperomia but make sure you leave the stem attached. Dip the stem in rooting hormone and after this, you can propagate them.