These tropical semi-succulents are easy, drought-tolerant houseplants with attractive and vibrant foliage.
They vary in appearance, though many have small, flat leaves, and thick stems.
The plants are generally compact in size and slow-growing, which makes thempopular houseplants, also for hanging baskets.
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Some leaves are rounded and shaped like hearts, while others have elongated, pointed leaves.
The foliage is usually bright green, but it can also be striped, spotted, or marbled.
Some varieties produce flowers and berries.
Unlike many houseplants, peperomia are considerednon-toxic to pets, another great reason to grow them.
Peperomia Care
These plants make easy houseplants that require only minimal care.
They don’t take up much room as most types won’t grow over 12 inches in height.
One of the peperomia species that is grown outdoors is the baby rubber plant (P. obtusifolia).
It is used as a groundcover in frost-free climates (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10-12).
The care for peperomia outdoors is very similar to that for houseplants.
Light
Peperomia grow in the tropical understory or in the rotting wood of trees.
Direct sunlight easily scorches the leaves of peperomia, but low light will slow growth considerably.
Bright, indirect light through a sheer curtain also works well.
The leaves retain water, which makes peperomia fairly drought-tolerant.
Many species prefer completely drying out before watering.
Temperature And Humidity
Radiator plants are native to subtropical and tropical climates around the world.
Radiator plants do fine in moderately dry air but thrive in humidity.
Place them in the bathroom or mist the leaves.
Dilute the fertilizer to half-strength and apply once every four weeks.
If the plants become leggy, trim them back and use the cuttings to propagate new plants.
Propagating Peperomia
Peperomia plants are easy to propagate from leaf or stem cuttings.
Avoid going up too many sizes, as water retention in a large pot can lead to root rot.
The plant just needs an extra inch around the root ball to adjust to the new pot properly.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Peperomia are for the most part pest resistant.
Ifmealybugsor spider mites become a problem, treat with weekly sprays of neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Use traps for fungus gnats.
Examine the roots for rot, trim off damaged roots and stems, and repot in fresh potting soil.
Move the plant to a more sheltered location.
Fading leaves sometimes indicate a nutrient deficiency.
It if is spring or summer, consider fertilizing the plant.
Wilting Leaves
A radiator plant wilting in combination with the potting mix feeling dry signals under-watering.
check that to water it promptly.
However, wilting accompanied by yellowing and leaf loss, is the exact opposite: the result of overwatering.
Very dry air, such as from a heating vent, may also cause this problem.
Move the plant to a more suitable location.
A little more light may encourage fuller growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peperomia make excellent and easy-to-grow houseplants.
Peperomia are grown for their foliage rather than flowers.
In ideal conditions, they will produce petal-less, tail-like flower spikes, or inflorescences, in the summer.
