Peperomia plant is really easy to care for and just one thing you need to know or focus on is water. This plant is really great for beginner gardens. It’s having more than 1000 varieties of different sizes, shapes, and colors and I am sure you will love any one of the peperomia varieties. Area with bright indirect sunlight and with high humidity level and highly suitable like South America and Central America.
How big do peperomia plants get?
As mentioned earlier it’s having more than 1000 varieties, but most of the varieties are small in size and can easily survive in small houses which meant things of this plant are the same as mini monstera. Many of its varieties are longer and wider in size so you can make a perfect choice according to your area and interest.
Care Of Peperomia Plant
Light
Medium or bright indirect sunlight is suitable and it will be happy near a window in your house. Some varieties or every variety can survive in low light but there will be a huge difference in the growth rate. So in the case of low light, you can use grow light which can also make your plant happy. Direct and bright sunlight can be dangerous so whenever in the summer season you take this plant outside, protect it from direct sunlight.
Water
Avoid overwatering, underwatering can’t be more dangerous than over-watering because peperomia is having really sensitive roots and they can be effective due to over-watering. Beautiful and thick grown leaves will maintain the moisture level for a long time so if you forget about your plants regarding watering then this plant is highly suitable for you.
Always water if the potting mixture is dry. Don’t water if the leaves are not feeling okay but the potting mixture is still wet. I always recommend you to check water requirements with the help of your finger like Alocasia Polly, water the plant if the top inch of the soil feels dry.
Before watering, with the help of any small stick make a small hole in the potting mixture, and now water gently. This hole will help the water reach every root and water the plant until water comes out from the drainage hole.
Here is how to understand that your plant needs water:
Through Leaves
Floppy or soft peperomia leaves show that plant needs water.
Through soil
With the help of your finger- If the top one or two inches of soil mixture feels dry to touch, then you should water the plant.
Potting Mixture
Like many other house plants As you know peperomia roots are really sensitive always use a light and well-drained potting mixture and select a pot which is having the best drainage conditions. You can also use an orchid bark mixture in your potting mixture and this will be helpful.
Fertilizers
It just needs fertilizers in the summer season and never fertilizes this plant during the winter season. In the summer season fertilize that plant after every month, common house plant fertilizers can be used but I will recommend you to use fertilizers that are rich in nutrients.
Humidity
This is a native plant of tropical areas and it needs bundles of humidity. So this plant is very good to have in your house but if you are having fewer humidity conditions a humidifier can be the best choice for this and it will maintain a good humidity level.
Can peperomia live outside?
Yes, surely they can survive outside. You can take it outside in the summer season but always place it under a shady plant and take it in your house if the temperature is 50 degrees or more.
How Can We Know If Peperomia Needs Water?
Instead of a fixed schedule watering, it will be better to analyze the plant conditions physically. Through this method, you will understand plant needs and will be safe from over or less watering.
Read More: Crocodile Fern Plant Complete Care Guide
Common Peperomia Varieties
It’s having more than 1000 different varieties, and we can not cover all of them but here are some best and most famous varieties.
Watermelon peperomia
This variety is famous due to its dark green leaves color with light parallel stripes over it.
It’s having some round leaves and this variety is highly suitable for small areas.
Owl Eye Peperomia
It’s having upright stems with large leaves and it’s one of the longest varieties of peperomia.
Baby rubber plant
Upright variety with variated leaves which looks really beautiful.
Common Problems
Pests
Mostly we have never spotted any pests over this plant but like Marble Queen Pothos in some rare cases, mealybugs can be found on stems and leaves of this plant. Best house plant spray or neem oil are the best solutions again mealybugs.
Root Rot
Overwatering can be a reason behind this and always allow the root to dry between every watering, root rot can easily kill your plant.
Dropping Leaves
It’s all because of water conditions, most its because of overwatering, always check potting mixture conditions before watering or less water can also be a reason behind this. Always water your plant when needed or otherwise maybe its leaves face any disease or maybe they start falling down.