Peperomia Rubella Care Infographic
Peperomia Rubella Care Infographic

Peperomia rubella is a much sought-after plant due to its attractive looks and ease of growth. If you wish to include these delightful plants in your spaces, then this detailed guide is the right one for you.

We discuss in detail the care procedures, the common issues and the propagation techniques of this vine. Read our expert tips and tricks to learn it all!

What Is a Peperomia Rubella?

Peperomia rubella is a very attractive vining plant popular due to its scarlet-tinged leaves. This rare peperomia is native to Jamaica and is a favorite among hobbyists, home decorators and gardeners.

The long thin stems also make it an ideal choice for hanging pots and containers on patios or driveways. 

Peperomia Rubella Care

Peperomia rubella is a delicate plant requiring minimal care. All you need to do is to focus on a few essential aspects and you can have them growing healthy and green in your garden.

Peperomia rubella much sought after planIndirect light and moist, loamy soil is the perfect environment for this plant.

Make sure that the temperatures are within 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity levels reach 60 to 90 percent and you will have a healthy and happy plant in your care.

Take note that this vine is very sensitive to both overwatering and underwatering, and that it needs to be pruned every once in a while.

Want to know how to grow this great houseplant? Then wait no longer and dive right into our care section. Find the complete care requirements of the plant below.

– Water Requirements

The plant is highly sensitive to both overwatering as well as underwatering. Wait for the soil to go at least one-third of the way dry before you add in more water. The plant bears succulent leaves, so skipping watering once in a while isn’t going to hamper its health or growth.

Summers require a moderate watering schedule to prevent the soil from going bone dry. Scale back in winters when the plant tends to go into dormancy. 

– Light Requirements

Peperomia rubella requires moderate to high levels of indirect light to thrive. If located outdoors, place the plant in partial shade away from the direct and harsh rays of the sun to encourage the plant to produce more peperomia rubella leaves. Overexposure to sunlight can cause sunburns and damage to the foliage. 

To keep it shielded from direct and harsh light, you can create a greenhouse effect with a garden sheet placed over the plant. This will give it diffused light as well as ensure it gets the required warmth.

When indoors, place it near an east-facing window where it can receive morning sunlight. Use curtains as a shield to provide the plant with diffused light.

– Soil Requirements

Peperomia rubella fares well in consistently moist and loamy soil, between a pH range of 5 to 7.5. The soil needs to retain some moisture as well as be well-draining to prevent the occurrence of root rot.

Use a potting mix with half part perlite and half part peat moss to keep the plant growing. Alternatively, you can also use cactus and perlite mix to provide the roots with some aeration.

– Temperature Requirements

The ideal temperature of the plant is between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure it does not fall lower than 59 degrees Fahrenheit as the plant seldom thrives in low and chilly climates.

– Humidity Requirements

The plant requires high humidity levels between 60 to 90 percent. If you experience dry air, mist the plant daily to kick in some moisture around it.

Alternatively, place a saucer with pebbles and water below the plant. As the water evaporates, it will create a humid environment around the plant.

– Fertilizing Requirements

For better growth, fertilize your peperomia rubella with a diluted water-soluble liquid fertilizer. Schedule the fertilizing once every two weeks. You can also choose to use a dry slow-release fertilizer. The ideal time to apply this is during the growing season of spring or summer.

Do not fertilize the plant in the fall and winter months as this can result in a salt build-up in the soil as well as fertilizer burn.

– Pruning

Pruning the plant occasionally keeps it neat and in shape. Snip away dead vines to reduce the chances of any fungus or diseases. Additionally, removing limp foliage encourages fresh growth. You can also choose to keep the vining stems of the plant erect by giving it support with the help of rods or wooden sticks.

Sterilize your garden pruners with a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol formula before you prune or place a cut for propagation to prevent any diseases.

 

Propagation 

Propagate peperomia rubella easily by using one of the below-mentioned methods. With a few basic gardening skills and tools, you can achieve success and produce healthy new offsets. Find the details of the procedure listed below.

– Right Season To Propagate

The ideal time to propagate the plant is during the warm months of spring and summer. This will give the plant enough warmth of the season to develop healthy roots and thrive well.

Moreover, the plant goes through its growth phase in these seasons so you can expect a faster growth rate in comparison to the cool months of fall or chilly months of winter, when the plant remains in a state of dormancy.

– Tools Required

Before you begin your process of propagation, keep the following tools ready and at hand:

  • A handy sharp knife or pruner: Sterilize it before using with isopropyl alcohol to prevent any bacterial infections.
  • A suitable potting mix for the plant
  • A shallow tray for sowing seeds or a deep container for planting cuttings
  • Rooting hormone powder
  • A plastic sheet or wrap with tiny holes or a glass container with breathable openings

– Propagation Method

You can propagate the plant through stem cuttings, leaf cuttings or seeds. Here is how you can go about it.

– Propagation by Stem Cutting in Water

With the help of a small section of a healthy plant, you can propagate a new plant offset. Find the complete details below:

  • Pick a healthy section from a mature mother plant and place a gentle cut of six inches with a sterile pruner. 
  • The cutting needs to have at least two leaves and a node. 
  • Dip the ends of this cutting into rooting hormone to speed up the propagation process. 
  • Place the cutting in a container of water and move it under medium to high indirect light.
  • Remember to change the water once a week to provide it with the required level of oxygen.
  • In ten days, the rubella cutting will sprout its first baby roots in water. Wait one more week and transplant the rooted stem directly into the potting mix.
  • The rubella peperomia does not require frequent repotting. The plant with its vine-like growth can grow happy and healthy when root-bound. If you wish to repot for other reasons such as root rot, change the potting mix and place the plant in a container with proper drainage holes. 

– Propagation by Leaf Cuttings

In this method, all you need are leaves from a healthy plant. Find the details listed below:

  • Pick healthy leaves from a mature adult plant.
  • Snip them gently off the mother plant with the help of a sterile garden shear. Make sure that you retain a bit of the stalk still attached.
  • Dip the stalk edge into rooting powder to speed up the process and plant it in the soil directly or let it root in a container of water. Do remember to change the water once a week to give the leaf more oxygen.
  • It should take a month for the plant to establish roots, stems and fresh leaves. Peperomia Rubella has a moderate growth rate, so be patient until they develop their complete foliage. 

– Propagation via Seeds

Propagation through seeds is slower in comparison to the two methods above, coupled with the fact that germination may not always be 100 percent successful.

  • Collect seeds from flower pods of the plant. You can also purchase good-quality seeds from a local garden store. Make sure that the seeds are less than a year old as your success rate depends on the quality and age of the seeds.
  • Sow them directly into the soil. Ensure you do not place them too deep, but just at the surface of the soil. Mix in some perlite or peat moss to increase aeration.
  • Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs in a well-lit and ventilated place under indirect sunlight. To create humidity around it, cover it with a plastic sheet or a transparent container with holes for ventilation.
  • In about forty-five days, you will be able to notice the tiny plant seedlings sprouting out.
  • Transplant into a larger pot or container once the seedlings develop into more sturdy saplings. The nascent plant will initially grow upright, but after several months when it is four to six inches in length, the stems will start to vine over.

Problems 

Peperomia rubella comes with its share of problems. In this section, we provide simple solutions to tackle these common issues. Find them listed below.

– Tackling Pests and Diseases

Pests such as spider mites, mealybugs and aphids attack the plant, leaving cottony deposits on the underside of the leaves. They suck the sap off the plant, making it go weak and limp.

Isolate the plant as soon as you spot pests. Treat the plant with an organic insecticide or neem oil. Alternatively, you can apply alcohol to the affected spot with the help of cotton swabs if the infestation isn’t severe.

To prevent pest infestations, regularly mist the plant and keep the leaves dust-free by wiping gently with a damp cloth.

– Leaf Drop

Leaf drop is when the plant loses the majority of its leaves in a short span of time. The most common causes for such a condition are incorrect temperature and fertilizer use.

Peperomia Rubella requires moderate to high temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperatures out of this range can cause a stress condition to the plant, thereby leading to the shedding of their leaves. 

Over-fertilizing the plant results in a similar state of shock to the plant. Maintain a constant and steady temperature for the plant and fertilize in the growth phase of the plant to prevent this issue. 

– Low Oxygen Levels

A common outcome of over-watering the plant is low levels of oxygen for the roots. Waterlogging at the roots can reduce air circulation and oxygen levels, giving the plant a wilted appearance. It can also lead to root rot and slow growth of the plant as the roots can no longer absorb nutrients from the soil.

Scale back on the watering as soon as you suspect wilting due to overwatering. Repot the plant, if required, into a fresh potting mix that is light for better aeration. Ensure your pot or container is well-draining. You can also choose to line the bottom of the pot with pebbles for better drainage.

– Cercospora Leaf Spot

Cercospora leaf spot is a dangerous fungal disease that results in black raised spots on the underside of the plant’s leaves. These irregular spots swell up as the disease spreads and prevents fresh growth of foliage.

To tackle this condition, apply a soapy insecticide or horticulture spray to the infected area. If the infection hasn’t spread much, you can gently snip away the affected leaves and dispose of them.

– Ring Spot Virus

This is a commonly occurring viral disease that is characterized by dark rings on the leaves. It gives the plant a distorted look as the brown lesions cause the leaves to droop down heavily.

Unfortunately, there are no insecticides or sprays to control the spread of this viral infection, thus snipping away or destroying the infected sections is the only thing you can do. 

Sterilize your tools with alcohol before and after pruning such plants to prevent further spread of infection to other plants in your garden 

– Dying Peperomia Rubella

Is your peperomia rubella looking limp and wilted with a dying look? Check to see if the plant is receiving the right amount of light and water. Peperomia rubella plants are sensitive and seek just the ideal levels of both. Over or underexposure can lead to the death of the plant. 

Peperomia rubella plant requires at least one hour to three hours of sunlight daily. Just ensure this is indirect and diffused and watch your plant grow healthy and green. Read our care section in detail to understand the ideal levels of light and water that the plant will require to thrive and grow. 

– Nutrient Deficiencies

The plant can also show signs of wilting if it suffers from nutrition deficiencies. Peperomia rubella requires fertilizer with a high nitrogen and potassium content. The long vines of the plants are heavy feeders, thus, they require a regular intake of liquid or slow-release fertilizers. Get this schedule in place and you should have a thriving plant.

– Squishy Leaves

The leaves of peperomia rubella can turn squishy as a result of over-watering. The plant is succulent and stores water in its leaves and stems. Thus, avoid overwatering and maintain a watering schedule as per the guidelines in our care section. 

Scale back on the watering as soon as you notice the first squishy leaf. The plant can still recover from this, provided that it is not too late and the plant still shows signs of life. Allow the soil to dry completely before you water it again. 

– Peperomia Rubella Suddenly Shedding Leaves

Peperomia rubella can start to shed leaves if you do not meet its ideal care requirements. Provide the plant with the right level of light temperature and water as per our care guide and you should see your plant growing fresh leaves. 

The plant seldom likes chilly winds and cold drafts. Move the plant indoors during winters and place them under grow lights. Also, ensure you do not keep them under air conditioner vents where they can be subjected to sudden blasts of cold air.

FAQ

Can Peperomia Rubella be referred to as a dwarf plant?

Yes, Peperomia Rubella can be referred to as a dwarf plant due to its small size and compact growth habit.

Why is my Peperomia Rubella growing stalks?

Peperomia Rubella may grow stalks as part of its natural growth process or in response to environmental factors such as low light or lack of nutrients.

Is Peperomia Rubella an air purifier?

While Peperomia Rubella is not a highly effective air purifier, it can still help to improve indoor air quality by removing some pollutants through its foliage.

Conclusion

You have now understood the care and propagation procedures of the attractive vining plant Peperomia Rubella. Let us summarize our discussion with these points:

  • Peperomia rubella is an attractive vining plant with a red tinge and thrives in moderately hot and humid climates. It is considered to be an air purifier plant. 
  • It is a much sought-after option for a hanging basket due to its distinctive foliage, leaves and flowers. Its beautiful hues make it a favorite among plant lovers and hobbyists across the world. 
  • The plant can easily be propagated through stem cuttings, leaf cuttings or seeds
  • Peperomia rubella care is not difficult. Just maintain the ideal environment as per our plant care section and see the plant thrive into lush foliage.
  • The plant is succulent, so do not overwater, underwater or expose it to excessive heat as these can hamper plant growth.

Now that you have read our detailed guide, you can easily care for and grow these delightful peperomia plants. Bring these plants into your garden spaces and see them weave their charm all around you!

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