Plant care guide

Peperomia

Peperomia spp.Family Piperaceae

Also known as Watermelon peperomia, baby rubber plant

Small plants with thick, glossy leaves that store water. They grow slowly, fit on any table and are non-toxic to pets.

LightLow to bright indirect
WaterWhen the top half of the soil is dry
HumidityNormal indoor
Temperature65–84 °F (18–29 °C)
PetsNon-toxic to dogs and cats
DifficultyEasy

Varieties we grow

Watermelon: Rounded leaves with silver and dark green stripes, like a watermelon rind; low-growing.
Red Beauty: Deeply rippled leaves in dark green and reddish tones, with dark red stems; compact clump.
Gold Dust: Glossy oval leaves speckled with creamy yellow; upright habit.
Obtusifolia Green: Plain, glossy green oval leaves on a fleshy stem; compact.
Jade: Deep, glossy green oval leaves; compact and quick-growing.
Lemon Lime: Each leaf mixes dark green and lemon green; thick, glossy leaves on an upright plant.
Marble Variegated: Round, glossy leaves marbled in green and gold; upright habit.
Variegata: Oval leaves with crisp green and creamy white variegation; upright habit.
Raindrop: Large, glossy green, drop-shaped leaves on several fleshy stems; forms a bigger mound than the others.

Light

It's happy with medium indirect light and copes with dim corners. Variegated types such as Gold Dust, Lemon Lime or Variegata need more light to keep their color. Strong direct sun scorches and bleaches the leaves.

Watering

Its fleshy leaves and stems store water, so the real danger is overwatering. Water when the top half of the soil is dry, but don't leave it bone-dry for weeks. If the stem turns soft at the base, it's rot from too much water.

Soil and pot

It needs a very airy mix, such as all-purpose potting mix with coco coir and plenty of perlite, in a small pot with drainage holes. It would rather be a little snug than sit in a big, always-wet pot. If it gets leggy, pinch the stem tips.

Humidity and temperature

Normal indoor humidity is enough. It's comfortable between 65 and 84 °F (18–29 °C) and gets damaged below 50 °F (10 °C). It's sensitive to over-fertilizing, so feed it lightly and with weak doses.

In the Dominican Republic

It's ideal for air-conditioned apartments and offices because it doesn't need high humidity. On a porch, keep it in the shade, since midday sun burns the leaves within days. During the rainy season don't leave it out in the open, as soaked soil rots the stem. Flower spikes are normal; you can snip them off so it puts its energy into leaves.

Also known as

Peperomia: Common Spanish name
Peperomia sandía: Common Spanish name (P. argyreia)
Peperomia de hoja redonda: Common Spanish name (P. obtusifolia)
Watermelon peperomia: Common English name (P. argyreia)
Baby rubber plant: Common English name (P. obtusifolia)
Radiator plant: Common English name

Common problems

Soft, dark stem at the baseOverwatering; cut the healthy tips, root them and let the soil dry more.
Wrinkled, limp leavesIt's thirsty; water deeply and let it drain.
Blisters or corky bumps under the leavesEdema from too much water and poor airflow; water in the morning and less often.
Stretched stems with widely spaced leavesNot enough light; move it nearer a window and pinch the tips.
Variegated leaves turning greenLow light; move it somewhere brighter, out of direct sun.