Most boast thick, fleshy leaves that contribute to their drought tolerance and vigor.
AllPeperomiaplants are low maintenance, slow-growing, and can be planted year-round.
Insufficient light will result in fewer leaves, leaf drops, and drab coloration.
The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak
Direct sun rays should be avoided, as they can burn the leaves.
Soil
Choose a soil blend that mimics chunky, loose, and acidic conditions.
Anorchid potting mediumtypically works well, but regular potting soil is fine, too.
The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak
KeepingPeperomiaon the dry side is better than saturating it.
In cooler areas, move plants indoors before nighttime temperatures drop to 50F.
Fertilizer
Provide a diluted liquidfertilizeronce a month during the growing season if the soil is poor.
The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak
When it comes to fertilizingPeperomiaplants, less is more.
Do not fertilize in the winter.
As a slow-growing epiphyte,Peperomiacan go without supplemental fertilizer, getting what it needs from its planting media.
The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Anastasiia Tretiak
Types of Peperomia
Plants in thePeperomiagenus can look very different from one another.
For example, varieties likeP.
obtusifoliaare commonly confused with rubber plants due to their similar deep green leaves.
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There are hundreds ofdifferent varieties ofPeperomiaplants, many of which make exceptional houseplants.
Pruning
Lightly prunePeperomiaplants in the early spring to correct leggy, sparse growth.
Remove the end of each stem and the first set of leaves.
you might pinch them off with your fingers or snip them off with hand pruners.
Potting and Repotting Peperomia Plants
Peperomiaplants can live for years in a relatively small container.
When necessary, repot yourPeperomiainto another container only a couple of inches bigger than its former home.
Use an acidic potting mix or orchid bark.
How to Get Peperomia to Bloom
Peperomiararely flower when kept as houseplants, but they occasionally do.
Here’s what that looks like and how to set your plant up for success.
Bloom Months
IfPeperomiablooms, it will be in the spring and summer.
What Do Peperomia Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Peperomiaplants' unscented blooms appear as spindly spikes of brown and greenish-white.
Avoid too much moisture and prune strategically to remove dead or damaged leaves.
Common Problems With Peperomia
Peperomiais a low-maintenance plant that doesn’t need much water.
However, here are some signs that your plant might need additional care.
Remove the yellowed leaves.
Deformed Leaves
Ring spot may be diagnosed when you see deformed leaves.
Pull off the distorted leaves and see if the plant grows back healthy.
If not, it’s best to toss the whole plant.
The disease is spread by seemingly healthy plants that are infected.
Also, ensure yourPeperomiahas adequate drainage, so it doesnt get waterlogged and develop root rot.
Use amoisture meterto help you determine when to water.
Peperomiaplants like high humidity, but misting doesn’t do much to raise the humidity levels in a room.
Use a humidifier or keepPeperomiain humid rooms, like bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Peperomiaplants can live for many yearsusually five to 10 years.
They don’t need much attention; in a small pot they only need indirect light and regular watering.
This evidence leads researchers to deduce they can reduce these substances from indoor environments.
Peperomia obtusifolia.Missouri Botanical Garden.
Foliage Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality.NASA.
Peperomia Diseases.University of Illinois Extension.
