Tępolistna Peperomia , also called peppercorns, is a potted plant with decorative, fleshy leaves. If we provide her with the right conditions, tropical peperomia will be perfect for an apartment. Find out whatpeperomia cultivation and care looks likeand how to easily carry outpropagation of a bulldog peperomiato have even more of these interesting plants.
Peperomia obtusifolia - Peperomia obtusifolia
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What does blunt-leaf peperomia look like?
Peperomia tępolistna(Peperomia obtusifolia) belongs to the pepper family (Piperaceae). It comes from the tropical regions of South and Central America.
This extremely popular houseplant has a dense, bushy habit and grows up to 30 cm in height. Erect, strong shoots are covered with fleshy, shiny and round leaves, which are the main decoration of the peperomia. Depending on the variety , the leaves of the blunt peperomiamay be green, cream or speckled. The small, white-green flowers appearing in autumn do not have any special decorative value.
Peperomia tępolistna - cultivation
Peperomia is not a plant that requires special conditions or intensive care. She perfectly adapted to the conditions in homes and offices.
Peperomia tępolistna - growing position
Peperomia is definitely photophilic , but the harsh, direct sun is not good for this tropical plant.It's best to provide it with a place that receives a lot of diffused light. With too little light, the plant becomes thin and loses its attractive color.Varieties of dull-leaved peperomia with darker leavescan grow in rooms with a northern exposure, but those with speckled leaves need lighter positions.
Tępolistna Peperomia - growing temperature
Peperomia is thermophilicand needs quite high temperatures all year round. In winter, a temperature of 18-20 ° C is recommended, and 20-22 ° C in spring and summer. When ventilating the apartment, especially in winter, move the pot away from the window so thatdoes not expose the peperomia to drafts
Peperomia tępolistna 'Variegata'
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What soil for peperomia?
Peperomia needs a well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH (pH 5.7-6.8).The idealsoil for growing peperomiais a mixture of humus soil with peat and sand in a 4: 1: 1 ratio, but we can also use the ready soil for cacti or succulents. A universal substrate with an admixture of bark, sand or perlite will also work well. It is important that it is light and permeable.Heavy, wet soil promotes the rotting of peperomia rootsand the emergence of fungal diseases.
Can peperomia be sprinkled on?
Peperomia likes humid air, but does not tolerate soaking the leavesTherefore, do not sprinkle the leaves of this plant. fine gravel or expanded clay. Fill the stand with water to such a height that it does not get into the pot. We can also place a vessel with water or an air humidifier near the plant.
Peperomia - watering
Peperomia stores water in its thick fleshy leaves and stems.If we water it too abundantly, it is easy to rot both the roots and the aboveground peperomia. Therefore,the peperomia should be watered only when the top layer of the substrate has time to dry.The frequency of watering in the summer months is once a week, and in autumn and winter it is important less often, once every 2-3 weeks.
Water for pouring peperomiashould be soft, static and necessarily warm (preferably in line with the ambient temperature).
Peperomia tępolistna - fertilization
Watering peperomia should be combined with fertilization. Especially thatpeperomia is fertilized all year roundIn the period from spring to autumn, we feed the plants every 2-3 weeks, and in winter - once a month. It is best to use a liquid fertilizer for plants with decorative leaves or a natural biohumus that is diluted with water for irrigation.
Peperomia obtusifolia - Peperomia obtusifolia
Photo. depositphotos.com
Peperomia tępolistna - transplanting
Transplanting a blunt peperomyshould be done as needed, once every 3-4 years or even less frequently. It is important that the roots do not start to grow over the container and do not escape through the drainage holes. If this happens, transplant the plant into a new pot, up to one size larger. At its bottom we pour a thick layer of drainage: gravel, volcanic lava or expanded clay. The pot can be small because the plants do not have a very extensive root system.
Problems in growing peperomia
Peperomia leaves have brown tips and edges- this may be due to a sudden drop in temperature. Remove damaged leaves, protect the plant from drafts and avoid cold window sills.
Peperomia loses leaves- sudden leaf loss may be caused by too little watering. We irrigate the plants regularly when the top layer of the substrate has time to dry.In winter, peperomia can lose leaves when the ambient temperature is too low.
Peperomia leaves are flaccid and faded- if we also observe wet, putrefying spots or brown thickening on the leaves and stems it is a sign that the plants have been shed. This problem occurs most often in autumn and winter. In such a situation, first of all, take the plant out of the pot and let the root ball dry a bit. We also remove damaged leaves, shoots and roots.
Saplings of tufted peperomia
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Peperomia tępolistna - reproduction
Peperomia is easy to breed. One method that works especially well with this species ispropagation of peperomia with shoot cuttings
Cuttings taken in spring or summer should be 1-3 knots and at least 5 cm in length. We remove the lower leaves from them and put them in water or in a pot with a substrate for seedling.Keeping the temperature at 20-22 ° C after 3-4 weeks we should get rooted plants. In a similar way, we rooting large, he althy leaves cut off with a tail from the mother plant.
A mature grown uppeperomia can be easily multiplied by dividingGently take the plant out of the pot and carefully divide it into 2-3 parts. Let us remember not to disturb the sensitive roots. Then put drainage in the new pots, fill them with substrate and immediately place the seedlings in them. It is best to reproduce plants in the spring.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
