Peperomia (Green)

Description

Peperomia plants can be pruned anywhere along the stem. New growth develops from the nodes just below the cut in the stem.

Peperomia Plant Care:

Light: Peperomia plants grow well in the bright indirect 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.

Temprature: 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 Bugs and Aphids 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.

Propogation: These plants are easily propagated from leaf cuttings, stem tip cuttings, and plant division. Be sure to allow the cut ends of the peperomia leaves or stems being used for propagation to dry out for several hours or overnight before planting them.