Learn how to grow peperomia, commonly known as radiator plant. This beautiful plant is easy to grow and lights up your indoor garden. Find out what kind of lighting the plant needs, as well as watering, humidity, temperature and fertilizer needs.
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Today we are looking at a Peperomia, a beautiful plant that I love. These plants are so easy to grow; they are also known as radiator plants because they thrive in warmth and prefer lots of light. The name “radiator plant” often comes from their common placement near windows, where it is typically warm.
The genus Peperomia includes about a thousand species, but only a few of them are cultivated extensively for indoor growing. Today, we’re focusing on Peperomia optifolia, which means oval-leaf Peperomia. The cultivar for this one is Golden Gate, characterized by its lovely golden edges surrounding the green leaves.
Peperomias are not only beautiful but also come in many varieties, showcasing different leaf sizes, shapes, colors, and textures. Some have heart-shaped leaves, while others are bright green or variegated, featuring spots, marbling, or stripes. It’s sometimes challenging to identify a plant as a Peperomia since they don’t all look alike, but they are a wide class of plants that do very well as houseplants.
They are slow growers, meaning they tend to move along slowly as they grow. Therefore, don’t expect rapid growth; whatever size you’re getting now is likely how large they will remain, as many only reach a certain size even in maturity.
So, how do we keep these beautiful plants looking good and healthy? Let’s go through the various cultivation tips you need to know.
Light: Peperomias do prefer bright light since they originate from the tropics and subtropics. Ideally, a medium bright light is best for them. If you have a southern or eastern window, they will thrive there. Northern windows may be too dim, while western windows can burn their foliage. To simulate the light they receive in their native habitat, provide full spectrum lighting if your natural light is insufficient or too harsh. Full spectrum lighting is available in various bulb types and fixtures and simulates daylight, making it perfect for indoor growing. If you experience more light in certain seasons, supplement with full spectrum light during shorter winter days.
Watering: These plants do not like to dry out completely, but they shouldn’t be kept overly moist either. Water them when they approach dryness, around a four on the moisture meter. The first inch should be drying out but not completely dry. Remember, during the winter months, all houseplants tend to drink more slowly, so reduce your watering frequency. If they are near a radiator or heating duct, monitor them closely to ensure they aren’t drying out too quickly.
Humidity: Being from tropical and subtropical regions, Peperomias appreciate additional humidity if you live in a dry area. If you start seeing browning around the outer leaves, it could indicate low humidity. In that case, consider adding a humidity tray or other methods to increase humidity around the plant.
Feeding: Since they are slow growers, Peperomias don’t require a lot of fertilizer. A well-balanced fertilizer, preferably organic, works best. My Green Gourmet House Plant Food is perfect for them due to its low levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilize every three to six months, ideally in spring and mid to late summer. If desired, you can also fertilize in mid-fall, but that’s typically the last time you want to fertilize them for the year.
Temperature: Peperomias do not tolerate cold weather well. As radiator plants, they thrive in warmer conditions. Ideally, keep them between 70°F and 80°F. You should not let the temperature drop below 60°F. If you maintain a warm environment, they will do just fine, even during colder months.
These lovely plants are fairly easy to grow, and since they don’t grow quickly, you won’t need to repot them often. A two-thirds plant to one-third pot ratio is recommended, and only repot when necessary.
While Peperomias can occasionally get mealybugs, they are generally pest-resistant. More common issues arise from root rot, which you can avoid by maintaining proper watering practices.
That’s it for these lovely plants! Thank you for stopping by today. Please leave any comments about indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video. If you’d like to be notified when new videos are released, please check the bell icon.
Peperomia Care FAQs
What are Peperomias?
Peperomias are easy-to-grow indoor plants known as radiator plants because they thrive in warmth and prefer lots of light.
How many species of Peperomia are there?
The genus Peperomia includes about a thousand species, but only a few are extensively cultivated for indoor growing.
What type of light do Peperomias prefer?
Peperomias prefer bright light, ideally medium bright light from southern or eastern windows. If natural light is insufficient or too harsh, full spectrum lighting is recommended.
How often should I water Peperomias?
Water Peperomias when they approach dryness, typically when the moisture meter reads around four. During winter, reduce watering frequency as they drink more slowly.
Do Peperomias require high humidity?
Yes, Peperomias appreciate additional humidity, especially in dry areas. If you notice browning on the outer leaves, consider using a humidity tray to increase moisture around the plant.
What kind of fertilizer should I use for Peperomias?
A well-balanced, preferably organic fertilizer is best for Peperomias. Fertilize every three to six months, ideally in spring and mid to late summer.
What temperature is ideal for Peperomias?
Peperomias thrive in warmer conditions, ideally between 70°F and 80°F. Do not let the temperature drop below 60°F.
How often should I repot Peperomias?
Peperomias grow slowly, so you won’t need to repot them often. A two-thirds plant to one-third pot ratio is recommended, and repot only when necessary.
What pests should I watch for with Peperomias?
While Peperomias are generally pest-resistant, they can occasionally get mealybugs. The more common issue is root rot, which can be avoided by proper watering practices.
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