Peperomia prostratais an extremely decorative houseplant. The dangling shoots of this peperomia are covered with round leaves with an interesting pattern resembling a turtle's shell. This tropical plant does well in our homes, provided we provide it with the right conditions. Find out what thecultivation and care of prostrata peperomialooks like and how to easily reproduce it at home.
Peperomia prostrata - Peperomia prostrata
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Peperomia prostrata - description of the appearance
Peperomia prostrata , also called peppercorn, belongs to the Piperaceae family and comes from the tropical jungles of South America. In its natural environment, it is an epiphyte that grows on decaying tree trunks, sometimes rocks. Its long, reddish shoots are covered with small, round, fleshy leaves. Dark greenprostrata peperomia leavescovered with a crisp, silvery green pattern resembling a tortoise shell.
Prostrata peperomia flowerslook like tiny reddish brown spines and have no odor . In potted cultivation, the plant blooms extremely rarely.
Peperomia prostrata - cultivation
Peperomia prostrata requires a lot of filtered lightThis plant does not tolerate direct sunlight. It is a good idea to place the peperomia pot near the window or on the windowsill behind a dense curtain.
Sincepeperomia prostrata does not have a clear dormant period in winter , it is important to ensure that it is well lit. in this difficult period.If we do not take care of it, the lack of sufficient light will quickly affect the condition of the plant - shoots will become elongated and slack, and leaves will become small and poorly colored. For this reason,for the winter period, a very bright peperomia cultivation siteis recommended, e.g. right next to the southern window, or additional lighting of the plants using appropriate lamps.
Peperomia prostrata - Peperomia prostrata
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Peperomia prostrata is a tropical plant that is not very resistant to sudden changes in temperature and drafts. She feels great at the temperature that prevails in most of our apartments. In spring and summerthe optimal temperature for growing peperomia is 20-22 ° CIn winter, the temperature should be slightly lower, i.e. 16-17 ° C.
Sometimes in the summer monthspeperomia prostrata losesleaves, and those that remain pale and lose their attractive color. Most often it is caused by too high light intensity and too high temperatures.In such a situation, we should move the plant to the shade and keep it cooler, for example by placing the pot on the floor where cooler air flows.
As the temperature risespeperomia requires higher air humidityRemember that the plant is easily infected by fungal diseases, so spraying it with water is not the best way to care for it. It is best to put the pot on a stand filled with small pebbles or expanded clay and pour water into it. The evaporating water will create a suitable microclimate around the plant. We can also place an air humidifier near the plant.
Peperomia prostrata - Peperomia prostrata
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High nutritional requirements mean that for proper growth we have toprovide peperomia with a fertile substrate with a loose structureA slightly acidic (pH 5.7-6.8) mixture of peat and soil will be suitable leaf or turf and sand.Planting peperomia in heavy soil leads to rotting of the roots and the base of the shoots.
Peperomia prostrata - care
In the care of this plant, it is very important to maintain optimal soil moisture. The root system of peperomia is not very well developed, so the plant does not tolerate excess water - its stagnation causes the roots and the base of the shoots to rot. Therefore,watering of the prostrata peperomia should be moderate , even in summer. In the warm spring and summer months, it is enough to water the plants every 10 days, and in the winter months, even every 3 weeks. We water the plant only when the top layer of the substrate dries out. It is best to use warm, alkaline and still water for watering.
Fertilization with peperomia prostratacan be performed all year round, but in winter it should be less intensive. Feeding the plant during the period of intensive growth in spring and summer consists in applying a multi-component fertilizer dedicated to plants with decorative leaves every 14 days.In winter, fertilization should be limited to once a month or feeding should be stopped altogether.
Peperoami prostrata - transplanting
If necessary,prostrata peperomia is transplanted every 2-3 years , taking care not to damage the delicate roots. We take the peperomia out of the pot along with the root ball so that the risk of disturbing the root system is as low as possible. At the bottom of the new container we pour a layer of drainage, which can be fine gravel or expanded clay, then place the plant inside and add fresh soil.
Peperomia prostrata - reproduction
Peperomia propagation is not difficultThe simplest method is to prepare 3 - 5 cm long shoot cuttings in spring and place them in pots filled with substrate. Cover the seedlings with foil or glass and place them in a bright and warm place to keep the temperature around 18 ° C. Rooting takes about 3 weeks.
The division of the prostrata peperomia is also a good way of reproductionWe should replant the plant every few years, and this procedure can be combined with the division and acquisition of new plants. Take the mature, 2-3 years old peperomia out of the pot and divide it into 2-3 parts. Let us remember not to disturb the sensitive roots. Immediately place new cuttings of peperomia prostrata in small pots with drainage at the bottom.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
