How to Care for Peperomia

There are over 1,000 varieties of peperomia, many of which have become popular house plants. Their many different shapes, colors, textures and sizes have made them popular with collectors. Most varieties stay small and compact, making them ideal tabletop or windowsill plants. Despite their diversity, the proper care for all of these plants is rather similar.

Instructions

1. Grow peperomias with all green leaves in bright light, but not direct sunlight. A west window or an east window shaded by a transparent curtain works best. Peperomias with variegated leaves can tolerate more light and need more light to generate bright colors. These plants can be grown in an unshaded east window or a shaded south window.

2. Give peperomias warm temperatures of at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Peperomias will tolerate most temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, but prefer temperatures no higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Treat a peperomia like a tropical plant. It is important to remember that peperomias, despite the fact that many have thick, succulent leaves, are not in fact succulents. They are more like tropical plants and require high humidity. Placing the plants on trays of pebbles and misting the foliage once a week will help give them the humidity they need.

4. Water peperomias sparingly because over-watering will cause them to drop leaves. This is one area where peperomias differ from a lot of other tropical plants. They should be watered only when their soil has dried out. If growing in a west or east window, they will need water once every 2 weeks and perhaps slightly more often. If you can not feel moisture by sticking your finger most of the way down to the bottom of the pot, it is probably safe to water a peperomia.

5. Repot peperomias only when their roots have wrapped fully around the bottom of their pots. Peperomias have few roots and therefore should not be repotted often. They are unlikely to need pots larger than 4 inches.

6. Group peperomias together in shallow rectangular pots and hanging baskets. Because they have shallow roots and stay small, peperomias do well grouped together. Grouping several different varieties makes an attractive planter and also helps give the plants the humidity they need. Care for grouped plants as you would individual peperomias.