The Peperomia Magnoliifolia is an epiphytic indoor plant with green, glossy, eye-catching leaves. The plant grows upright such that a mature one can reach a maximum height of 12 inches (30 centimeters) and the spread is from 5 to 12 inches (13 to 30).
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia v. obtusifolia share some common features like having variegated varieties and remarkable easy-care attributes. To learn how to care for the Peperomia Magnoliifolia plant, read this care guide.
Contents
What Is Peperomia Magnoliifolia?
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia is an ornamental tropical plant with spoon-like leaves and that’s how it was named the “spoonleaf.” The mature plant blooms throughout the year and each Peperomia Magnoliifolia flower is tiny, pale green in color, and non-fragrant so it cannot be used for decoration.
Peperomia Magnoliifolia Care
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia requires little care but you should fulfill its growing conditions for it to remain healthy.
– Water Requirements
Use the soak and dry method when watering the Peperomia Magnoliifolia. Irrigate your plant thoroughly until you see water exiting the pot through the drainage holes and then allow the potting mix to dry before the next watering.
You can use your fingers to check if the three to four inches of the topsoil are dry prior to watering again. The Peperomia Magnoliifolia loves to be kept moist but you should not overwater it.
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia should be watered once every seven to nine days in summer but you can also increase or reduce the frequency, depending on the current temperature and light.
If you are living in the tropics, you may need to water peperomia every two to three days as the water evaporates quickly because the temperature is always around 80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (26 to 37 degrees Celsius).
You can cut back to once or twice a month in winter due to lower temperatures as the soil can stay moist for longer periods. When watering the Peperomia Magnoliifolia plant, do not use hot or cold water as it may shock your plant’s roots.
Rain or filtered, room temperature water is ideal for irrigating the Peperomia Magnoliifolia. Tap water is not recommended as it contains salts that are harmful to your plant.
You can leave tap water in an open bowl overnight for the chlorine to evaporate so that it will be safe for use in watering your Peperomia Magnoliifolia. Overwatering, as well as underwatering, is not good for your plant health, so make sure you stick to the watering patterns.
– Light Requirements
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia should be positioned on a spot where it will receive bright, indirect sunlight. An east- or north-facing window is ideal.
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia can appreciate one to two hours of direct morning or evening sunlight because it is not too harsh to burn the plant’s foliage. So, you should not expose your Peperomia plant to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia can lose its color and become leggy in low-light areas as it will be growing in the direction of sunlight. But it’s different with the Peperomia Magnoliifolia variegata as the colored leaves can turn completely green in low light conditions.
You should also rotate your Peperomia Magnoliifolia occasionally so that every part of the plant gets enough light. The south- or west-facing windows are also ideal but make sure you filter the sun using blinds or sheer curtains to protect your Peperomia plant from the harsh midday sun.
In winter, the plant can fail to get enough light indoors, so you can place it outside. However, remember to bring it inside in the evening when the temperatures fall. You can also use a grow light to meet the plant’s lighting requirements.
The variegated magnoliifolia and the Peperomia obtusifolia variegata cannot absorb light so you should place them in a well-lit spot so that their variegations are maintained.
– Soil Requirements
Like other tropical plants, you should also grow Peperomia in a well-draining, organic, loose, and well-aerated potting mix. The potting mix should also retain moisture well. You can mix equal parts of soil, orchid bark, and charcoal. Then add some worm compost as top dressing and coco coir to improve aeration, drainage, and retention.
Charcoal is important as it helps to eliminate toxins. A custom mixture of coarse sand, perlite, and peat moss can also work perfectly fine. Your magnoliifolia beauty grows well in slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.1 to 6.6. Therefore, you should test the soil so that you know its alkalinity or acidity.
– Temperature Requirements
For the optimum growth of your plant, maintain a temperature range of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 27 degrees Celsius). The Peperomia plant prefers warm room temperatures.
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia can tolerate high temperatures between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 35 degrees Celsius) but you should keep your plant hydrated if you expose it to such conditions.
In winter, the temperatures drop and the Peperomia Magnoliifolia is not resistant to cold. The plant is sensitive to temperatures that are below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) so it may struggle to survive in these conditions.
If you are in an environment that is experiencing very low or freezing temperatures, you can use frost blankets or heating pads to protect your plant from the extreme cold. You should also protect your plant from cold drafts, air conditioner vents, and heaters as extreme temperature changes can affect your Peperomia Magnoliifolia.
Lower temperatures can also affect the flowering of your Peperomia. The magnoliifolia may suffer stunted growth, so it might be difficult for the plant to produce flowers during the active season.
– Humidity Requirements
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia grows well under medium to high humidity levels, around 40 to 60 percent. This humidity level can naturally occur in a room with an average temperature.
If you notice some leaves drying and shriveling, know that your plant is suffering from dry or low humidity. The Peperomia Magnoliifolia may struggle to transpire which affects the ability of the plant to cool down when it is exposed to very high temperatures.
Low humidity is prominent during the cold months when the air in the room is drier. Heating gadgets also contribute to the existence of dry air. Misting your Peperomia Magnoliifolia regularly may remedy the problem while also keeping the plant dust-free.
You can also increase the humidity level by grouping your Peperomia with other plants to make a “humidity-sharing” environment. However, make sure the plants are healthy if you decide to use this strategy.
A pebble tray is another alternative or keeps your plant in the bathroom or kitchen, which are the most humid rooms in the house. You can also consider getting an electric humidifier for ultimate efficacy. When the humidity level is more than 60 percent, remember to improve ventilation to avoid the development of fungi on leaves.
– Fertilizing Requirements
Apply fertilizers to boost the growth and flowering of your Peperomia Magnoliifolia. Use a well-balanced liquid fertilizer with a ratio of 10-10-10 and dilute it to half-strength. Feed your Peperomia Magnoliifolia twice a week during its growing season. The potting soil should be moist when applying the fertilizer to avoid burning the roots.
Over-fertilizing can also cause root burn as there will be too many mineral salts in the potting mix. If you are using controlled-release fertilizer, add the pellets once at the beginning of the growing season.
When your plant reaches the dormancy season, it’s best not to apply fertilizer. Your Peperomia Magnoliifolia grows slowly during these cold months so the application of fertilizers may lead to salts-buildup in the soil.
You should get rid of any previous toxic buildup that might have accumulated by leaching the soil. This should be done in early summer.
– Pruning
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia does not grow too big because it has a compact growth habit. So pruning can be done to remove diseased, yellow, brown, or dead leaves. Plant growth can improve as the nutrients become directed to healthy parts only. You can also trim your plant to get rid of leggy and sparse stems.
Pruning can also be done to achieve a compact and ornamental appearance. Pruning the stems is also necessary if you want to achieve a bushier shape. Pinch the tops of the stems and the first set of leaves using your fingers. You can even use a sterilized knife to snip them off. The Peperomia Magnoliifolia does not tolerate aggressive pruning as it can shock the plant.
You can use the cuttings that you get from pruning to propagate a new Peperomia Magnoliifolia.
Propagation
Peperomia Magnoliifolia propagation can be done using cuttings or by root division. The two methods are easy and effective, and the new plant will bear the same features as the mother plant.
– Stem Cuttings
To use cuttings to propagate the plant use these steps:
- Clean, disinfect, and sharpen the tool that you are going to use.
- Choose a healthy plant and cut the stem cuttings that are six inches long and make sure each has at least three or four leaves.
- If the stem has leaves at the bottom end, remove them.
- Root the stem in the potting medium or water.
- If you are using the potting mix, fill the pot with the substrate and plant the bottom three inches of the stem.
- Tamp down the soil firmly around the cutting and check if the leaves are not touching the potting mix.
- Water the cutting regularly to keep the soil moist but you should avoid overwatering.
Expect to see the roots developing within a month.
When rooting in water, do the following:
- Get a clear jar and fill it with water. The transparent jar has an advantage as you will be able to see any progress easily.
- Drown two to three nodes of the cutting in chlorine-free water but make sure you change the water frequently and clean the jar to avoid the development of algae.
- You may see the roots developing in two to six weeks and once they become long enough, transfer the stem cutting into the pot with the potting mix.
– Leaf Cuttings
Leaf cuttings are another easy way to propagate the plant:
- Cut the leaf from the healthy plant.
- Dip the leaf cuttings in the potting mix.
- The leaves should not fall but if they are, cut the leaves into halves and then create a small greenhouse.
- Cover the cutting with the plastic bag, poke some holes, and hold it up with stakes.
- Find a spot with no direct light but with room temperature conditions.
- After some time, you may see the roots developing and that’s the correct time to remove the plastic.
- Do not repot the new plant until the pot becomes smaller.
You can start caring for the plant the way you do to the mother plant when it has developed new shoots.
– Root Division
This is another way of propagating Peperomia:
- You should carefully uproot your Peperomia Magnoliifolia and remove the soil around it.
- Trim damaged and unhealthy roots and then divide the root ball. Please note that each section should have at least two to three stems.
- Prepare a new pot with the potting mix.
- Plant each section in a pot and dab the potting mix around so that the roots are well-covered.
- Then, water the new plant thoroughly.
You can then start to exercise regular Peperomia mangoliifolia care.
Problems
The Peperomia Magnoliifolia can be infected with pests and diseases if not properly taken care of. These are common problems for many houseplants, but good Peperomia Magnoliifolia care can chase them away.
– Leaf Spot
The Cercospora leaf spot is an infectious disease caused by a fungus. The infected Peperomia Magnoliifolia has raised tan and black spots on the undersides of the leaves. You may also start to notice chlorosis developing on your plant, which can lead to premature defoliation. Isolate the infected plant once you notice these signs and trim the affected leaves.
Use fungicides to treat the Cercospora leaf spot. You can also wash the plant’s leaves regularly to limit the spread of the disease for at least a month. Stop washing the plant when you see that all the signs have disappeared completely.
The Cercospora leaf spot can be avoided by refraining from wetting your plant’s leaves. If you want to mist your beauty, do it in the morning so that the leaves will have enough time to dry during the day. The spot for your plant should also be well-lit and aerated so that any water on the leaves can dry quickly.
– Rhizoctonia Leaf Spot
The symptoms of the Rhizoctonia leaf spot are mushy, dark-brown spots on your Peperomia Magnoliifolia. The disease can also affect the roots if left untreated for long, leaving them mushy, brown, and disintegrated. Quarantine the infected plant immediately and prune the affected leaves and roots. If the plant is heavily infected, dispose of it.
Use fungicides that contain chlorothalonil and myclobutanil to treat the disease. You should also avoid overhead irrigation to reduce the risk of infection.
– Sclerotium Stem Rot
You may notice the browning or blackening of part of the stem that is a few inches above the potting mix. This is a sign of the Sclerotium stem rot. Your Peperomia Magnoliifolia’s leaves will start by showing some signs of wilting, before they turn grey-green, and then brown. The leaves will also start to curl and eventually die.
Make sure you are providing suitable conditions for your plant so that it is not easily affected by diseases.
– Root Rot
Waterlogging and overwatering are the main causes of root rot. Excess water can suffocate your Peperomia Magnoliifolia and also cause the development of fungal and bacterial infections. You can revive the infected plant by trimming the damaged roots prior to treating the plant with fungicides. Then, repot your Peperomia in a new pot.
– Mealybugs
These are minute common pests that feast on your plant’s sap. Mealybugs look like white cotton growth or brown when they are in an immature phase. These pests can multiply faster as they can hatch and develop into adults within a few weeks. Stunted growth, leaf drop, and deformed yellow leaves are the symptoms of a mealybug infection.
Once you notice the presence of mealybugs around your Peperomia Magnoliifolia, you should get rid of them quickly as they can kill your plant. Isolate your plant and use organic products like Neem oil to kill these annoying pests.
– Red Spider Mites
The red spider mites are prominent in spring and summer. These pests spin white webs on your Peperomia Magnoliifolia and they use them to spread to different plants and parts.
The webs cause the plant to have a dusty appearance and that’s the sign of red spider mites’ infection. The pests feed on the plant’s juice so your Peperomia Magnoliifolia may start to curl and discolor.
The red spider mites reproduce quickly and are easily identified when in large numbers. You should regularly check for their existence so that you can treat them before they multiply. Neem oil can also kill the red spider mites. You can also dab on both sides of your plant’s leaves, as well as on axils and leaf joints using the rubbing alcohol to destroy the spider mites.
After using rubbing alcohol, rinse your Peperomia with water to remove the dead spider mites on the plant. A continuous application of pesticides is necessary until you completely kill the pests.
– Toxicity
The plant is non-toxic to humans and animals.
FAQ
Is Peperomia Magnoliifolia fast growing?
No, Peperomia Magnoliifolia is generally considered a slow-growing plant.
Should Peperomia Magnoliifolia leaves be wet or dry?
Peperomia Magnoliifolia prefers slightly dry conditions, so it is best to allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid keeping the leaves constantly wet to prevent issues such as root rot.
Can Peperomia Magnoliifolia purify air?
Yes, Peperomia Magnoliifolia has air-purifying properties.
Conclusion
You have learned all the crucial magnoliifolia care tips. We hope you are now ready to put these ideas into practice and enjoy the exciting journey!
Here is a recap of the main points again:
- The Peperomia Magnoliifolia prefers warm temperature ranges of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 27 degrees Celsius).
- You should water the plant every seven to ten days in summer and reduce it to once or twice a month in winter.
- The Peperomia Magnoliifolia thrives well in bright, filtered light.
- You should apply fertilizers twice a week during its growing season and stop feeding the plant in winter.
- The plant grows greener and fresher if placed in a spot with moderate to high humidity levels – between 40 to 60 percent.
Now it’s time to get your new plant and start caring for it the expert way. Stop procrastinating and add interest to your room with this beautiful houseplant!
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