Peperomia Plant
Peperomia obtusifolia
Baby Rubber Tree Plant
There are over 1000 varieties of peperomia plants and most are native to Central and South America. All peperomia plants, which belong to the Pepper Family, are semi- succulentLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant."s with very similar care requirements. 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.
Peperomia Plant
Light
Peperomia plants grow well in the bright indirect lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light. provided by a west or east-facing window. These plants even grow under fluorescent lights. Insufficient light causes the slow growing peperomia plant to stop growing all together. Direct sunlight burns the leaves.
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. This technique keeps the leaves dry and helps prevent plant diseases. The thick leaves of peperomia plants hold water and allow the plant to withstand long periods without moisture.
Fertilizer
Fertilize peperomia plants monthly in the spring and summer with a basic houseplant food diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength. It’s not necessary to feed a peperomia in the fall and winter.
Temperature
Warm temperatures between 60°-80° F are best. Temperatures below 50°-55° F and cold drafts from windows and doors damage peperomia plant leaves.
Humidity
Peperomia plants are originally from the rain forests of Brazil and like a warm humid environment.
Flowering
The flowers of peperomia plants are very small and inconsequential. It's the leaves that are so interesting.
Pests
Houseplant pests such as Mealy BugsLearn how to identify and treat Mealy Bugs, a houseplant pest that leaves sticky, white, cottony residue on houseplants. and AphidsSee a picture, learn to identify, and read about Aphid houseplant pests in the Glossary of Houseplant411.com. can be a problem.
Diseases
Ringspot, a virus that marks the leaves with unsightly round marks, develops in high humidity which Peperomia plants like very much. Since there is no good treatment for this plant disease, damaged leaves and even the entire infected plant may have to be thrown out. Keep peperomia leaves dry and provide good air circulation to prevent diseases.
Soil
Use a well-aerated loose potting soil that drains quickly.
Pot Size
Re-pot peperomia plants to the next size container when the roots of the plant have filled the existing pot. Planting a peperomia in a pot that is too large prevents the soil from drying out quickly and causes root-rot.
Pruning
Peperomia plants can be pruned anywhere along the stem. New growth develops from the nodes just below the cut in the stem.
Propagation
These plants are easily propagated from leaf cuttingsLearn how to propagate plants using stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, cane cuttings, and branch cuttings., stem tip cuttings, and plant divisionLearn how to propagate plants by plant division at https://www.houseplant411.com/glossary. Be sure to allow the cut ends of the peperomia leaves or stems being used for propagationLearn how to propagate plants by plant division at https://www.houseplant411.com/glossary to dry out for several hours or overnight before planting them.
Poisonous Plant Info
Are Peperomia plants poisonous to pets?
The leaves and stems of a Peperomia plant contain alkaloids so the plant is considered a poisonousPlants are a great addition to homes and offices, but it’s important to know whether your plants are dangerous to children, pets, or even adults. Some plants contain chemicals such as oxalates, solanine, glycosides, or alkaloid lycorine that may cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, swelling and redness of the mouth, throat, and lips, and trouble breathing. Touching parts of certain plants, especially the sap, may cause various skin irritations. The weight and age of the human or pet involved, and the part and amount of plant eaten determine how severe the reaction to the toxins will be. Although plants may be listed as non-toxic, they can still cause individual allergic reactions. If there is any question after a houseplant has been ingested or touched immediately call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 The Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants [Paperback]is an excellent reference to keep around if you have young children and pets. indoor house plant. Please keep peperomia plants away from small children and pets.
Why is my peperomia losing leaves?
Peperomia plants usually start to lose leaves when the soil stays too wet.This is a semi Succulent PlantLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant." and does like dry soil.
Why is my Peperomia getting brown tips and edges. Is this too much water?
Your Peperomia plant may be getting brown leaf tips because the temperature is too cold. Be sure your plantis not sitting on a cold windowsill or near a door during cold weather. Also, be careful with your fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.
; too much plant food can cause brown leaf tips on plants. Feed a peperomia plant monthly in the spring and summer when it is actively growing, never in the fall and winter.
Can you give me the names of some peperomia plants that grow indoors?
My favorite indoor peperomia houseplants are: Peperomia Emerald Ripple, a bushy table plant with quilted green leaves; Peperomia Cupid, a hanging variety; Watermelon Peperomia, a variety with grayish stripes on green leaves; and Peperomia obtusifolia, a Peperomia that resembles a baby Rubber Tree plant.
Why are my Peperomia plants suddenly dying? They were doing well all year until this winter.
In cool weather, Peperomia plants need less water and no plant food at all. Cut back on your water, let the soil dry out, eliminate any plant food and move your peperomia to a warm bright location. Hopefully it will recover soon.
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