How to Care for Peperomia Houseplants
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Peperomias bring a touch of whimsy and charm to any indoor space with their diverse foliage and compact tendencies. Offering easy care and unique beauty, they are perfect additions to collections for enthusiasts and newbies to the plant world!
Table of Contents
THE SCIENCE
Family: Piperaceae
Genus: Peperomia
Commonly: baby rubber plant/tree, radiator plant
THE BASICS
WATER
- Succulent in nature, Peperomias can tolerate drying out between waterings but most will prefer slightly moist soil. Soak when the top half is dry to avoid waterlogging.
- Pro-tip: Have a delicate String of Turtles? Opt to bottom water to keep moisture away from the foliage and prevent rot.
LIGHT
- Peperomias thrive in moderate to bright indirect light. Though they can tolerate lower lighting conditions, it may result in leggy stems and fading coloring.
- Shield them from intense, direct rays to keep the foliage safe.
HUMIDITY & TEMP
- They can adapt well to average indoor humidity and a range of temperatures! While Peperomias appreciate moderate humidity, they can also thrive in drier conditions.
THE NITTY GRITTY
SOIL
- A well-draining, aerated soil is best: potting mix, perlite, orchid bark, and other chunky mediums are an excellent choice.
- Check out our signature blend, Dirt Bag!
FERTILIZING
- Peperomias are light feeders and can thrive with minimal fertilization. Dilute to half-strength in the growing season and stop fertilizing in the fall and winter.
PESTS
- They are generally resilient against pests but occasional checks are still crucial, especially in compact varieties where pests like mealy bugs can hide.
OTHER DEETS
PRUNING & PROPPING
- Pruning your Peperomia will help control its shape and size while promoting new growth. Remove older, yellowing leaves to encourage more energy for new leaves!
- Some Peperomia varieties can be propagated with leaf cuttings!
- Check out Propagation 101 for the how-to.
