Peperomia rotundifolia, also known as the trailing jade, is a popular houseplant grown for its attractive foliage. With its round, succulent leaves, this peperomia is an excellent option for beginners looking to grow an easy care houseplant. Read on to learn more about growing and caring for peperomia rotundifolia.
Introduction to Peperomia Rotundifolia
Peperomia rotundifolia is native to tropical regions of South America. It is an epiphytic plant, growing on trees and rocks in its natural habitat. This peperomia species is also known as trailing jade or Florida peperomia due to its round leaves that resemble those of a jade plant.
Some key facts about peperomia rotundifolia:
- Common Names: Trailing jade, Florida peperomia
- Native Region: Tropical South America
- Size: Up to 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide
- Leaf Shape: Round, succulent, up to 1 inch diameter
- Flowers: Tiny white spikes (uncommon indoors)
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Watering Needs: Allow soil to dry between waterings
With its trailing stems and easy-to-grow nature, peperomia rotundifolia makes an excellent hanging basket plant. It grows well indoors with minimal care required.
Growing Conditions for Peperomia Rotundifolia
Peperomia rotundifolia thrives when grown in the following conditions:
Light Requirements
Peperomia rotundifolia does best in bright, indirect light. Although it can tolerate low light conditions, its growth will be slower and less vigorous.
Place your peperomia plant in an east or west facing window where it will receive 3-4 hours of sunlight daily. Filtered sunlight from a south facing window also works well. Avoid direct hot sunlight which can scorch the leaves.
If you don’t have a bright window, consider supplementing with a grow light during fall and winter months.
Ideal Temperatures
This tropical peperomia prefers average room temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Avoid exposing it to colder drafts or allowing the roots to become chilled.
In warmer climates, peperomia rotundifolia can be grown as an outdoor plant year-round. Bring potted plants indoors if temperatures outside drop below 50°F (10°C).
Humidity
Peperomia rotundifolia enjoys moderate to high humidity levels of 50% or higher. In drier household air, use a humidifier nearby or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water to increase moisture around the plant.
Misting the leaves occasionally can also help boost humidity. Just take care not to get the leaves and stems overly wet as this can promote diseases.
Soil Requirements
Use a well draining potting mix for peperomia rotundifolia, such as a blend of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. You can make your own or purchase a premade tropical plant soil.
The soil should hold some moisture but drain excess water quickly. Allowing peperomia roots to sit in soggy soil will cause them to rot.
For hanging baskets, opt for a soilless epiphyte mix which is lighter weight and promotes airflow to the roots.
Planting Peperomia Rotundifolia
Follow these simple steps when planting your new peperomia rotundifolia:
Container Selection
Choose a container with drainage holes that is slightly larger than the plant’s root ball. For bushy upright plants, use wider pots like shallow planters. For hanging varieties, opt for narrow hanging baskets.
Terra cotta pots are ideal as they allow air circulation to the roots. Decorative cache pots can be used to cover plain nursery pots.
Preparing Soil
Fill the container most of the way with your well-draining tropical plant soil. Gently loosen up the roots of the peperomia before placing it in the pot.
Position the plant so the top of the root ball sits just below the rim of the container. Add more soil around the sides to stabilize it.
Caring After Planting
Water the newly planted peperomia thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. This helps settle the soil around the roots.
Avoid fertilizing right away, but resume monthly feeding after a few weeks once the plant has adjusted to its new pot.
Place the potted plant in its preferred bright, indirect light location. Rotate periodically to encourage even growth on all sides.
How to Care for Peperomia Rotundifolia
Caring for peperomia rotundifolia is simple when you follow these basic care guidelines:
Watering
Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. When the leaves begin to droop slightly, it’s time to water.
Water thoroughly until it drains from the drainage holes. Discard any water in the saucer so the pot is not left sitting in excess moisture.
Reduce watering frequency in winter when growth is slower. The thick leaves will begin to wrinkle before dropping when severely under-watered.
Light
Rotate your peperomia plant occasionally so all sides receive adequate bright, indirect light. Washing the leaves every few weeks will help remove any dust that can block light from reaching the leaves.
Watch for leggy growth and fewer leaves, indicating the plant needs more light exposure. Move it to a brighter location or use a grow light to supplement natural lighting.
Fertilizer
Feed monthly during spring and summer with a diluted houseplant fertilizer, or use slow release pellet fertilizers. Reduce or skip fertilizing over winter when growth slows.
Look for a balanced liquid fertilizer or make your own diluted compost tea. Avoid over-fertilizing which can damage the roots or leave mineral deposits on the leaves.
Pruning
Pinch back leggy stems just above a leaf node to encourage bushier growth. Remove any dead or damaged leaves and stems as needed to maintain the plant’s appearance.
To limit size, cut back trailing stems before they become overly long and straggly looking. New growth will soon appear.
Re-Potting
Re-pot in fresh soil every 2-3 years as needed. Watch for roots growing out the drainage holes or slow growth indicating a too small pot.
Use containers only 1-2 inches wider than the current pot. Avoid over-potting peperomia as this can lead to root rot from too much moisture retention.
Divide crowded plants into smaller pots to invigorate growth. Take 3-5 inch stem cuttings to grow additional plants.
Troubleshooting Problems
Peperomia rotundifolia is relatively pest and disease resistant when provided proper care. Issues that may arise include:
- Drooping leaves – Usually indicates under-watering. Water thoroughly until it drains from the pot.
- Wilting – Can signal overwatering or root rot disease. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
- Leaf drop – Caused by under-watering, move to a brighter location.
- Leggy growth – Needs more sunlight exposure, add a grow light or change location.
- Small leaves – Increase fertilization, using a balanced houseplant food.
- Mealybugs or spider mites – Treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap spray. Isolate plant to prevent spreading.
Tips for Growing Peperomia Rotundifolia
Follow these tips to successfully grow happy and healthy peperomia rotundifolia houseplants:
- Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings. Never let pots sit in water.
- Provide bright, indirect sunlight. Rotating the plant prevents one sided growth.
- Maintain average room temperatures from 65-80°F. Avoid cold drafts.
- Increase humidity by misting, using a pebble tray, or placing near other plants.
- Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
- Repot every 2-3 years in fresh potting mix for continued vigorous growth.
- Take stem cuttings to propagate new peperomia rotundifolia plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about growing peperomia rotundifolia:
How fast does peperomia rotundifolia grow?
Peperomia rotundifolia is a relatively slow growing houseplant. When provided ideal care, it can grow up to 6 inches per year. Growth may be slower in lower light conditions. Trimming leggy stems will encourage bushier, compact plants.
What colors does peperomia rotundifolia come in?
The most common peperomia rotundifolia has dark green leaves with a light green leaf underside. Some varieties have leaves edged in cream or white. There are a few cultivars with purple or red tinted leaves and stems as well.
Is peperomia rotundifolia poisonous?
No, peperomia rotundifolia is non-toxic to humans and pets. This makes it a good choice for homes with children or animals. As with any plant, avoid ingesting large quantities of the leaves.
How do I propagate peperomia rotundifolia?
These peperomias root readily from stem cuttings. Take 3-5 inch tip cuttings, allow to dry briefly, then place in moist soil. Keep warm and humid until new growth emerges. Water propagating cuttings more often to prevent wilting.
What are the natural predators of peperomia rotundifolia?
In their native tropical habitat, peperomia plants face threats from fungi, bacteria, nematodes, insects, and larger grazing animals that may feed on them. Indoors, the main pests are mealybugs, whitefly, and spider mites which can be controlled with horticultural oils or insecticidal soap.
Final Thoughts
With its fleshy leaves and vining stems, peperomia rotundifolia is an easy care houseplant for beginning or busy gardeners. Provide this trailing peperomia with bright indirect light, average room temperatures, and allow the soil dry between waterings for the healthiest growth. Repot every few years, prune when needed, and propagate by stem cuttings to expand your collection of these delightful plants. Soon you’ll have lovely peperomia rotundifolia specimens trailing gracefully in hanging baskets or pots.