Peperomia Graveolens Care InfographicPeperomia Graveolens, commonly known as the Ruby Glow plant is an attractive plant that does not demand too much care and makes for the perfect filler plant. Its stunning red and green leaves can add beauty to any space.
Along with the foliage, the tiny yellow-white flowers are a sight to behold. Let us take a closer look at what it takes to care for the beautiful Peperomia Graveolens.
Contents
What Is Peperomia Graveolens?
Peperomia Graveolens is a perennial, shrub-like, ornamental succulent belonging to the family Piperaceae. It is native to southern Ecuador. The plant was first collected in 1973 by German botanists in the Ona river and Loja province of Ecuador.
Peperomia Graveolens is commonly also known as the Ruby Glow Peperomia, Glow Peperomia, and the Ruby Peperomia.
Peperomia Graveolens Care
You can grow Peperomia Graveolens both indoors and outdoors. Where it is about Peperomia Graveolens indoor care from the growth requirements such as light, water, temperature, humidity or fertilizer and additionally problems you can experience with your Peperomia Graveolens, it is all explained in detail below.
– Water Requirements
Peperomia Graveolens has water requirements similar to succulents but it prefers the soil to be slightly moist. It hates wet feet and cannot tolerate water-logged soil conditions for too long. Root rot and fungal growth is a common problem in Peperomias that is often the result of overwatering.
Water the plant two to three times a week in summers and reduce it considerably to about once a week in winters. This frequency will change depending on other weather-related factors in your area.
The correct and safest way to water Peperomia Graveolens is to use the soak and dry method. Water the plant thoroughly each time so that excess water drains out of the bottom drainage holes.
Allow the soil to dry out completely in between waterings to prevent root rot and other fungal diseases.
You can also follow the bottom watering method to water Peperomia Graveolens. Remember to soak the plant in a saucer filled with water and let the plant roots sip in the water from the bottom.
Leave the plant for 20 to 30 minutes until it fully absorbs the water it needs. This method makes sure that water reaches all the roots and also helps prevent overwatering.
– Light Requirements
The Ruby-Glow Peperomia needs bright, indirect light to grow well. It enjoys direct sunlight in the morning and evening. But do not expose the plant to direct sunlight in the afternoon.
If you are growing your plant indoors, make sure to keep it in a bright window or balcony. A north or east-facing window where the plant can get lots of filtered sunlight generally works well for its growth.
Peperomia Graveolens leaves have a transparent v-shaped window that helps in the process of photosynthesis. The translucent part of the foliage allows the leaves to absorb as much light as possible. The thick waxy stems of the plant make it possible for it to tolerate drought and harsh weather.
– Soil Mix
Peperomia Graveolens soil should be rich and fast-draining. For example, pumice mixed with loamy soil is a fast-draining mix while a mixture of cocopeat, rice hulls, and worm castings is a rich soil mix. Note that the 50 percent peat moss with 50 percent perlite is another great mix.
Humus-rich peat-based soil mixes work well for its growth. As long as your soil mix is airy and rich, the plant will grow up to become healthy. What is different for this plant is that it is susceptible to overwatering, therefore it becomes essential to keep the soil aerated.
If you are a beginner, try growing Peperomia Graveolens in a terracotta or clay pot. These pots remove excess moisture and also perform better than plastic and ceramic pots in draining out the extra water. These pots will make your watering job easier.
– Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature range for its growth is 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not put your plant near drafty windows and balconies. Peperomia Graveolens is not a cold-hardy plant and cannot tolerate very cool temperatures with frost.
In winters when temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, shift your plant indoors to a warmer spot where it can receive lots of bright light. Once the frost is gone and temperatures are above freezing, you can replant the succulent outdoors.
– Humidity Requirements
In its natural environment, Peperomia Graveolens lives at a good height in dry regions. It has adapted well to climates with dry air. It thrives in humidity levels between 50 and 75 percent. Most homes have humidity levels between 40 and 50 percent.
While this plant is not high-maintenance, it can be picky when it comes to humidity. Low humidity can create problems for the plant if you live in a dry area. Keep the humidity levels around your plant high by keeping an indoor humidifier or a humidity tray.
– Fertilizer Requirements
Peperomia Graveolens is a light feeder and does not need a tremendous amount of fertilizer to grow well. Feed it monthly using a well-balanced, liquid fertilizer during the months of active growth. Do not feed the Ruby Glow plant in the winter months as it goes dormant in winters.
Avoid overfertilizing the plant as it can cause serious problems to your plant. Overfeeding can make the plant suffer because of root burn. Excessive salts accumulate in the soil due to overfeeding and cause salt build-up which leads to root burn.
– Pruning
Pruning Peperomia Graveolens is not needed regularly. It may be required if the plant gets out of hand or the foliage grows sparsely. While pruning and trimming, start with the leaves at the bottom. As the plant gets bigger, it can become unruly if left untouched. Trimming the plant twice a year keeps it in shape.
Propagation
Peperomia Graveolens can be easily propagated from stem cuttings and leaf cuttings. Make sure that you have disinfected the cutting tools. Use the pruned stem cuttings to propagate
Dip the cutting in a rooting powder for faster root growth but it is an optional step. Prepare a well-draining soil mix and place the cutting in a slightly moist soil mix. The soil mix should have lots of perlite for drainage.
Make sure that you do not water the newly planted cutting for at least two weeks. It gives the cutting time to develop roots and also prevents stem rot. Place the pot away from direct sunlight for the initial few days.
Propagating Peperomia Graveolens from leaf cuttings is also similar to the stem cutting method. Experiment and choose the method that suits you better.
– Cuttings in Water
Propagating Peperomia Graveolens in water is quite simple. All you have to do is instead of placing the cutting in soil, take a cutting with a node and place it in a jar of water. Change the water every two to three days to prevent the cutting from rotting. Once the roots are about an inch long, you can plant the cutting in the soil.
– Repotting
Peperomia Graveolens likes to be root-bound for a little while. It does not like to be moved frequently. Move your plant to another pot only when you notice the roots getting out of the bottom drainage holes or the soil mix has become too compact and old.
Early spring or summer is the ideal time to repot Peperomia Graveolens in a bigger pot in a fresh potting medium. Do not repot the plant in fall or winter as unnecessary shifting at the wrong time can affect its growth.
While repotting, choose a pot one size larger than the previous one. A very large pot puts the plant more at risk of overwatering. In a freshly prepared, airy soil mix, place the plant and firm the soil around its roots.
Problems
Other than overwatering-related issues, Peperomia Graveolens does not face major issues.
However, it can occasionally face certain problems such as pest attacks and diseases. Let us take a look at some common problems faced by the plant.
– Wilting of Leaves
The Ruby Glow Peperomia faces the problem of wilting and discoloration of the foliage and scab-like protrusions on its leaves when it is overwatered. Adjust your watering schedule to prevent root rot and other problems related to overwatering. As long as you do not overwater this plant, it will be healthy.
– Leaf Drop
Leaf drop in Ruby Peperomia happens commonly when there is a sudden change in temperatures or infrequent fertilization. When the fleshy leaves start to flatten out and drop, it is because your plant is not getting enough water. Check the soil each time before watering to prevent the problem.
– Whiteflies
Whiteflies affect most plants in the warm summer months by feeding off the plant sap. It is not possible to get rid of whiteflies with a single treatment. Spray with an insecticidal soap solution and water mixture to prevent these pests. Wipe the leaves with neem oil regularly to control their spread.
– Mealybugs
Mealybugs look like white cotton-like material over the leaves and stems. These pests can completely drain your plant’s energy and life by causing wilting and yellowing of leaves. Keep a close watch on the leaf folds where mealybugs hide.
Apply isopropyl alcohol using a cotton swab on the affected parts in a small infestation. If the infestation seems severe, get rid of the affected branches and leaves by pruning them off. Use insecticidal soap on the rest of the plant, it will kill the pests by suffocating them.
– Spider Mites
Spider mites are quite small and look like very small spots on the leaves. They live in colonies and suck the chlorophyll out of the leaves. To prevent their growth, keep the plant clean as mites are attracted to dry and dusty surfaces.
Spray the plant with lukewarm water once every few days to treat light infestations. Attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs that feed on spider mites. If the infestation is large, use insecticidal soaps repeatedly until there is no mite left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let us look at some frequently asked questions about Peperomia Graveolens to learn about it in a more detailed way and to further look through the well-being of the plant.
– Is Peperomia Graveolens Toxic To Pets and Humans?
Peperomia Graveolens is non-toxic to animals and humans. You can keep it near your kids and pets but always keep them at an arm’s length to avoid any risk.
– Is Peperomia Graveolens Rare?
Peperomia Graveolens was pretty rare a few years back. But now due to the recent developments, it is now well distributed across the world. You can find it easily in most online stores and nurseries.
– Why Are the Leaves of My Peperomia Graveolens Closed?
Closed leaves with scab-like protrusions are caused due to overwatering. To prevent the problem, reduce watering the plant and make sure that the soil dries out before you water the plant again.
– How Big Does Peperomia Graveolens Get?
Peperomia Graveolens does not grow very tall which makes it perfect for office spaces and homes where space can be an issue. It can grow up to 10 inches tall and 24 inches wide with proper care. It has red stems that carry red and green leaves.
If you are keeping your Ruby Peperomia indoors, it might stretch out slightly more than 10 inches in search of more light. The plant has gorgeous red stems that vary from red to wine color.
If you grow this plant indoors, its height on maturity will be somewhere between 8 and 10 inches. It is due to this size that this plant is preferred for both office and home spaces. It also looks gorgeous in hanging baskets.
– Does the Peperomia Flower?
The Ruby Glow Peperomia has yellow-white flowers that bloom in the spring and summer months. The flower raceme looks similar to a rat’s tail and can get up to three inches long. The tiny flowers bloom on the long red stems.
The word ‘graveolens’ means bad smelling and if you get close enough to these not so fragrant flowers, you can get an unpleasant smell. The flowers are not noticeable and it is due to the colorful foliage that this plant is loved so much.
Conclusion
Peperomia Graveolens is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant that makes it ideal for beginners that is why it is encouraged to keep them, in addition to the beauty it would give to your house.
Now that we have learned everything about this pretty plant, let us summarize the essential care guidelines.
- Peperomia Graveolens is a perennial, shrub-like semi-succulent native to Ecuador. It has beautiful reddish-green leaves that make the plant look quite attractive.
- It does well in bright morning and evening sunlight and thrives in warm and humid weather conditions.
- Water the plant such that the soil is slightly moist but not soggy as water-logged soil causes root rot.
- Repot the plant in early spring and trim off the stems and leaves for more compact growth. Propagate the plant using pruned stem and leaf cuttings.
- It can face some problems such as wilting and dropping of leaves and pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies.
Add the Ruby Glow plant to your houseplant collection if you want to add some color to your home garden. We hope our care guidelines have helped you know all about the beautiful succulent and you get one for yourself too!
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