Peperomia - planting a flower, care and reproduction at home
Peperomias, striking with decorative foliage of various shapes and colors, are very popular with flower growers. To collect all types of alterations, the widest window sills in a spacious apartment are unlikely to be enough. Botanists have identified and described about 1200 species, most of which naturally inhabit the tropics of South America. It is not surprising that among such a variety there are ampelous and erect plants, species leading the lifestyle of a real succulent, and peperomias with long creeping shoots. With such a different appearance, all members of the genus bear one name, derived from the words peperi and omos, which translates as "percepian".
Flowering culture occurs in the spring and summer. Unlike foliage, spike-shaped inflorescences-candles of peperomia do not amaze with the brightness of color, but give the flower an original, memorable look.
Peperomia velvety (P. velutina)
Among the cultivated indoor peperomia species, this plant is of outstanding size. The height of the flower with erect, purple stems reaches 40 cm. The shoots are covered with alternately sitting pointed leaves, ovoid or broadly lanceolate. Dark green leaf plates with light veins on the back are painted in a greenish-purple hue. During flowering, spike-shaped inflorescences about 7 cm long are formed on the tops of the stems or in the sinuses of the velvety peperomia.
Watering
Simple flower care instructions:
Living in the tropics, the plant loves water in warm weather, with the onset of autumn and cold weather, reduce watering.
The water temperature should be a couple of degrees warmer than the air.
If the air is very dry, it will be more difficult for representatives with thin stems to survive. The fleshy leaves and stems have enough reserves.
Spraying will appeal to all types of peperomia, except for gray and round-leaved, such a procedure is contraindicated for them. Then put water in a glass next to it to relieve the plant from the heat.
Advice! Excess moisture can cause foliage to crumble or turn black! In this case, stop watering for 7-8 days to completely dry out the soil.
Peperomia silvery (P. argyreia)
One of the brightest varieties of the flower is silvery peperomia. The plant with short, profusely branching shoots attracts attention with glossy reddish petioles up to 10 cm long and bright silvery-green leaves. The leaf plates of the pointed-ovoid shape of this species are not monochromatic, but decorated with a series of light and dark stripes. In nature, plants of silvery peperomia grow both on the ground and as epiphytes, nestling on the trees of the tropical forest.
The main decoration of the flower is smooth leaves, but no less decoratively peperomia looks in blooming form when greenish or slightly yellowish cobs of 4-6 cm rise above the deciduous rosette on long peduncles.
Signs and superstitions
Modern man is a rational being. But many of us still believe in signs and various superstitions. This also applies to staying in the house of this or that flower.
Can I keep in the house
Peperomia is considered a plant with favorable energy. In the house where this flower lives, it is pleasant to be for guests and the household themselves.You will be greeted by an atmosphere of calmness and benevolence.
What does peperomia bring to the house? She encourages family members to take care of each other, to show tenderness. No wonder at home it is called "the flower of love."
On a note! Peperomia is credited with the ability to cleanse the house of negative energy, and the air in it from toxins. It will help seriously ill people to recover faster.
According to legend, along with the appearance of this flower in the house, changes will appear in it, which are long overdue. Peperomia is recommended for people who find it difficult to make decisions. If it seems to you that a black streak has dragged on in your life, give yourself a variety with white stripes on the leaves and everything will work out right away.
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Feng Shui in the house
According to the eastern teachings of feng shui, a plant will bring a favorable energy into the house if its leaves are round or oval in shape, pointed tips and the presence of thorns produce negative biofield. From this point of view, peperomia is an ideal indoor plant. Plays the role and location of the flower in the room.
Helpful advice! It is best to fill the corners with plants, where there is an accumulation of negative energy that provokes quarrels and illness in the house.
From the point of view of feng shui, peperomy smooths out conflicts and contradictions. Its owner begins to treat people more tolerantly, to understand them better. By the force of attraction of material goods, peperomia is compared to a money tree. Following her, prosperity and well-being comes to the house.
This plant is dominated by the element of metal, it is best to put it in the central room of the house, where it is always crowded and fun. Peperomia will absorb the energy of the guests as actively as the energy of the household, and after processing it, it will give it to the owners of the dwelling in a refined form. The higher and stronger the peperomia bush, the more energy it possesses.
This indoor type of peperomia is distinguished by large, hard leaves that sit tightly on erect or drooping shoots. The length of the oval leaves, elongated at the base, reaches a length of 15 cm. The growing stems gradually lodge and take root at the points of contact with the ground.
Among flower growers, the variegated flower shape is most appreciated. The facial surface of the leaves of peperomia cusielite is colored in bizarre green, white and pink-purple tones. The middle of the leaf plate is green, and the purple canvas along the edge of the green is separated by bright white or yellowish strokes.
Growing problems
Falling leaves most often occurs due to a strong drying of the earthy coma or a drop in temperature below normal.
Leaves may turn yellow due to sunburn or excess mineral fertilizers. In the first case, rearrange the plant in the shade, in the second, transplant it to another land.
Peperomia is a slow growing plant. It grows 15 cm per year. If growth has completely stopped, most likely the soil is completely depleted. Replace the substrate with new, fertile soil.
The plant can lose its bright color when exposed to excessive light. At the same time, green varieties become faded, and the pattern of variegated peperomias will be less contrasting. Remove the flower from the window for a while and place it in the back of the room.
The leaves turn black, the peperomia stem softens with regular excessive watering. Dry the earthen lump urgently and remove all rotten parts of the flower.
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Peperomia spotted (P. maculosa)
Peperomia got its name due to the brownish-brown spots covering thick shoots, which can be both erect and semi-lying. This type is also called multi-spotted peperomia or dwarf pepper. Stems and cuttings of leaves can be smooth or covered with a short, barely noticeable nap.The pointed-cordate leaves are colored bright green. Against this background, thin light streaks are perfectly visible passing through the entire plate.
The underside of the leaf of the mottled peperomia has a lighter color. During the flowering period, brown-purple, greenish or brown inflorescences are shown above the lush foliage. The height of such ears can reach 40-50 cm.
Varieties of peperomia
For home, the most popular and most beautiful with extraordinary leaves and flowers are the following specimens:
Shrub (bushy)
P. Wrinkled - corrugated burgundy leaves with a chic bush are incredibly beautiful. Flowers in the form of white spikelets.
P. Rosso is a rare plant with shiny elongated sharp leaves, where the underside is reddish.
P. Caperata Lilian - beautiful flower stalks with white small lilies surrounded by armfuls of corrugated leaves in the shape of hearts.
Erect
Erect ones are distinguished by fleshy leaves and shoots:
P. Clusielistnaya - has large 3-colored leaves (white-green-red) up to 15 cm. Short petioles create a very lush cap of bright foliage. Requires great soil fertility for unusual foliage.
P. Watermelon - an elegant plant, resembles a striped watermelon in color. Leaf shape is ovoid up to 8 cm, stems are red. A ground cover plant up to 12 cm in height in nature covers the soil of the tropics.
P. Magnolia-leaved - with red high stems up to 35 cm, from a distance it casts blue and reddish colors. Large oval-shaped leaves up to 15 cm. Looks elegant.
P. Dull-leaved - thick, round leaves with shine. They can be rich green shades or with golden spots. In spring, dense flowers in the form of spikelets.
P. Ferreira - succulent (water reserves in the leaves), more sensitive to watering, afraid of stagnant water, immediately sick.
Ampelny
P. creeping - an epiphyte from the tropics, feeds on other plants on which it grows. It happens with monochromatic or variegated leaves.
P. Creeping - with round small leaves up to 1 cm on reddish stems. The color of the leaves is greenish with bronze and other spots.
A graceful perennial plant with drooping long shoots of a pinkish-purple hue. Unlike other species, small oval leaves of reddish peperomia sit on the stem not alternately, but opposite. Their upper side has a deep green color, the bottom plates are reddish. A short whitish pile is noticeable on both the stems and the foliage.
Benefit and harm
Any home flower has not only an energetic effect, but can also have medicinal properties or, conversely, be poisonous. And what about peperomia?
Healing properties
Traditional medicine claims that this flower is able to protect the inhabitants of the house from the occurrence of colds and SARS. This is due to the effect of phytoncides that the leaves of the plant secrete. The mere contemplation of peperomia has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system. Are these qualities not enough in order to have this adorable flower in the house?
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Is it poisonous or not?
According to experts, peperomia is an absolutely safe houseplant. It does not emit toxins, its juice is also non-toxic. You can safely keep this flower on the windowsill if there are small children and pets in the house. In case of accidental ingestion, peperomia does not cause poisoning.
Due to the fact that the plant has many varieties, it is easy to choose a specimen that suits you. It doesn't matter if it is a small compact bush or an elegant ampelous plant with long hanging shoots, the main thing is that the flower brings you joy. And we have already taught you how to care for peperomia and what conditions to create for it.
Peperomia creeping (P. serpens)
A graceful perennial that resembles miniature ivy with sprouts lodging or hanging down as it grows will adorn any collection of a florist. In nature, creeping peperomia grows like an epiphyte, and its stems, strewn with pointed, heart-shaped leaves, hang freely along the tree trunks. The variegated variety of peperomia is the most decorative.
Peperomia transplant
A young bush needs to be transplanted every year, an adult plant (from 3 years old) - every 2 years. Choose a new container for planting 1.5 times the old one.
The soil needs fertile, soft, drainage must be put on the bottom.
If the plant has small delicate leaves, then cover the soil with sphagnum moss.
In addition to winter, the plant should be fed with complex fertilizers 2 times a month.
Peperomia pleasant (P. blanda)
Perennial peperomia pleasant in height reaches no more than 20-30 cm and forms a compact dense crown. The plant has erect branching shoots with oval leaves tightly sitting on them. The vibrant green of the upper side of the leaf blades looks great against the purple stems. Underneath, mature leaves are purple; on young leaves, this shade is weaker and may look like a border or spots along the veins. Small greenish inflorescences do not exceed one and a half centimeters in length.
Light and temperature
It is optimal to choose east or west windows. In winter, it is better to make a backlight by installing a phytolamp at a distance of 0.5 m. Daylight hours are usually about 8 hours.
Important! Peperomia does not like drafts, you can not take plants outside. The temperature in warm weather is + 20-22 ° C, and in cold weather + 18-20 ° C.
Peperomia shriveled (P. caperata)
The most popular type of peperomia in indoor floriculture amazes with the crinkled textured surface of the leaves and an abundance of unusually beautiful varieties. The plant is compact and very small. A rosette of ovate leaves, sitting on long petioles, does not exceed 10-15 cm in height.
Depending on the variety, the stems and cuttings can be either a thick purple hue, or completely green or spotted. The leaves of the shriveled peperomia also vary greatly. Their color ranges from deep green to purple. There are original variegated varieties with fancy foliage.
The relief is achieved due to the sheet plate collected from the veins of the fabric. This type of plant blooms beautifully, showing white, brownish or pinkish cob inflorescences above the rosette.
Diseases are mainly the result of improper care. Excessive watering, hypothermia create favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microflora of fungal spores, the spread of pests. If you pay close attention to your peperomia, you will notice the symptoms immediately. These can be dark spots and dry areas on the leaves, the appearance of a cobweb or mold, powdery mildew.
Of the pests, the most frequent guests on peperomia are thrips, spider mites, worms, and nematodes. You can try to remove them mechanically, most often the parasites hide on the underside of the leaves. For prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, tobacco infusion or soap solution is also used. If folk remedies do not help, you will have to buy industrial insecticides.
Fungal diseases are treated with fungicidal preparations and at the same time adjust the care. It is necessary to reduce watering, avoid overcrowding of plants, ventilate the room. If there are other plants on the windowsill, the diseased flower must be removed to a separate place for quarantine.
Peperomia gray (P. incana)
The name gray-haired peperomia is due to a grayish or silvery shade of broadly oval, almost rounded leaves. The original shade is provided by the whitish bristle covering both young foliage and shoots.A flower up to 50 cm in height readily bush and forms a compact crown of dense fleshy foliage.
Reproduction of peperomia
Leaf propagation
This propagation method requires a healthy, large leaf without visible defects or damage. Cut off the sheet with a sharp blade. The petiole must remain short.
For rooting a leaf, you can use several options:
Substrate of equal parts of sand and peat;
Clean water (in this case, the water is changed every day);
Sphagnum moss.
In order for the plant to take root and strengthen faster and more likely, it is covered with glass or polyethylene, thus arranging greenhouse conditions for peperomia.
After a month, the leaf will take root firmly and can be transplanted into a pot no more than 7 centimeters in diameter. Very soon, the plant will harden and begin to develop rapidly.
Propagation by stem cuttings
First you need to prepare an earthen mixture, consisting of equal parts:
Humus;
Peat;
Sand.
For propagation, you can choose both stem and apical cuttings. Cuttings with one, two or three internodes are suitable for successful rooting and further development.
Roots are best formed on cuttings placed in a substrate made from equal parts of leafy soil and sand, or in clean water. In this case, it is necessary to change the water once a day.
When the roots appear and grow a few centimeters, the cuttings can be planted in the prepared earthen mixture. Young plants must be covered with glass or polyethylene so that the air temperature does not drop below +25 degrees.
A month later, young plants are planted in separate pots and cared for as adult plants.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
This method is suitable if you plan to transplant peperomia. Simultaneously with the transplant, an adult bush is divided into several small ones and planted in separate pots with a layer of drainage and a prepared earthen mixture of leafy earth, sand, peat and humus.
The procedure can be carried out in spring or summer:
The bush is removed from the pot, the roots are freed from the soil.
Using a sharp, non-kitchen knife, the rhizome is cut so that several points of growth remain on each division.
Sprinkle the slices with crushed charcoal.
Plants are planted in a mixture of peat, leafy soil, sand and perlite (2: 2: 1: 1).
The containers are placed in greenhouse conditions until the delenki start growing.
It is important not to overmoisten the soil during rooting. In a few months, new peperomias can be displayed on the windowsill as independent plants.
Seed propagation
The optimal period for sowing planting material is March-April. For planting, a substrate of equal parts of leafy earth and sand is used. It is better to choose pots in the form of bowls.
After planting the seeds in the soil, the containers are covered with glass or polyethylene. Watering is regularly carried out using a fine sieve or simply sprayed. The temperature in a small greenhouse should not drop below +25 degrees. It is important to periodically ventilate young plants by removing films or glass.
Small shoots of peperomia dive when the second full-fledged leaf appears. A wooden box with a similar substrate is prepared for diving. Plants are planted at a distance of several centimeters from each other. The container is placed in a bright room, where there is no direct sunlight.
After three weeks, peperomia can be transplanted into separate pots with a diameter of no more than 7 centimeters. It is important to provide a drainage layer. Post-transplant care is provided as for an adult plant.
Peperomia blunt-leaved (P. obtusifolia)
In nature, blunt-leaved peperomia is an inhabitant of the upper and lower tiers of the tropical forest. Plants feel equally well as an epiphyte and as a terrestrial species.Leaves on short petioles have an oval shape with a base tapering towards the stem. The length of the leaf plate is 5–8 cm, the color can be different. Variegated varieties are in the highest esteem among flower growers.
But there are also very bright varieties with dense green foliage, the color of which becomes darker and more saturated as it grows.
The genus of peperomia is not limited to the specimens described. Several hundred species and even more varieties of this plant are at the disposal of amateur flower growers.
Care
In home keeping, peperomia is popular due to its compact size, attractive appearance and its unpretentiousness. But it is nevertheless necessary to create certain conditions for her life.
Watering and moisture
Peperomia requires regular watering throughout the year, as it does not have a dormant period. The amount of water directly depends on the air temperature. In the spring and summer, the flower is watered more abundantly, and in the fall and winter it needs moderate watering. Peperomia does not tolerate both drought and excess moisture.
The accumulation of water at the roots can lead to root rot. Overdrying the earthen coma will lead to wilting of the leaves and their dropping. Therefore, plants are watered with a moderate amount of water at a time, and in the intervals between waterings, light drying of the upper soil layer is arranged.
There are also certain requirements for water. It should be soft, at room temperature. Preliminarily, the water is defended, filtered or boiled.
Helpful advice! It is very good to water the flowers with melt water, if this does not bother you, you can harvest it in advance.
Peperomia has no special requirements for air humidity. In hot weather, you can spray the leaves of the plant - this will have a beneficial effect on its development. But even if you do not spray the flower at all, it will not harm it.
Lighting and temperature
In the natural environment, peperomia grows in diffused sunlight at the foot of trees. At home, she needs to create approximately the same conditions. Direct prolonged contact with the sun's rays will leave burns on the leaves of the peperomia, so the plant must be shaded in the sundial or placed on a less lit windowsill.
For some, the ideal solution is to place the peperomia slightly away from the window. Variegated varieties need more light than monochromatic ones. You can safely keep a plant with ordinary green leaves on the northern windowsill.
From October to February, it is advisable to provide the flower with additional illumination. Some are interested in the question of whether it is possible to grow peperomia under fully artificial lighting. This is possible, but in this case, the plant must receive light for at least 16 hours a day.
Important! Due to the fact that peperomia does not have a pronounced rest period, it does not require cold winter maintenance. Therefore, it is kept in the same temperature conditions all year round.
Like other tropical flowers, peperomia prefers an optimal temperature of 20-24 degrees. In winter, the thermometer should not drop below 16 degrees. This plant does not tolerate cold windowsills, therefore, in winter, remove it from a cold window or place an insulating stand under the pot.
Transfer
Young peperomias are transplanted annually, and older ones once every three years. You can determine that a flower needs a transplant by the appearance of roots in the drainage hole of the pot. For these plants, pots made of ceramics are recommended. The size of the pot should be narrow and tall. To prevent stagnation of moisture, a layer of expanded clay 2-3 cm thick must be laid on the bottom.
When compiling the substrate, you should take in equal parts sand, peat, humus and add 2-3 parts of leafy earth to them. The soil mixture should have a slightly acidic reaction.You can also purchase ready-made nutrient soil. After transplanting, the plant is not watered for several days.
How to care for peperomia: video
Reproduction
Peperomia can be propagated in three ways:
Seeds. It is best to purchase purchased seed material from reputable growers. The seed propagation method cannot be called the simplest and fastest. Rather, it suits the enthusiast. The planting container is filled with a mixture of leaf earth and sand. After sowing, the soil is moistened and covered with glass or film on top. The landing container is kept warm at a temperature of 25 degrees. After the first pair of leaves appears, young plants dive into the same potting mix using small cups. Maintaining good lighting is very important at this stage.
Cuttings. They can be harvested during the entire growing season. To do this, it is enough to cut off the top of the cutting with a single knot and plant it in a nutrient mixture with the addition of a large amount of sand. Rooting will last for 3-4 weeks at a temperature of 24-25 degrees. The appearance of roots can be recognized by the beginning of the growth of new leaves.
When propagating by leaf cuttings, the same principle applies as when propagating by apical shoots. A ripe leaf with a short petiole is used only as a planting material. The conditions necessary for rooting in this case will be the same as in the above method. As soon as the plants grow up and get stronger, they are transplanted to a permanent place of residence and looked after as if they were adults.
Reproduction of peperomia: video
Bloom
Peperomia resembles plantain with its flowering. Small white flowers form a dense, elongated ear on a dark petiole. In some species, the inflorescences resemble a mouse tail with a curved tip. There are varieties with funnel-shaped inflorescences. If the plant gets enough nourishment and light, it can bloom almost all year round. Do not forget to cut off the faded arrows in a timely manner.
Why do young leaves turn black and fall off in peperomia?
If young leaves turn black in peperomia, this may be evidence of excessive watering and humidification of the air. The soil does not dry out, thus creating a favorable environment for the development of fungal spores. In such a situation, the plant is characterized by lethargy, soft leaves and the presence of white bloom on the root processes.
If the plant has become lethargic and dry in the stem part, then a possible reason may be an insufficient amount of nutrients in the composition of the substrate or a lack of space in the flower pot for a developed root system. To solve the problem, it is enough to transplant it into a large-volume container with a fresh nutrient substrate.
A spider mite can be the reason why leaves gradually fall off in peperomia. In case of untimely assistance, the flower may die.
For clarity, all unfavorable situations when breeding a houseplant peperomia are shown in detail in the photo below:
Subject to all the instructions and standards for the maintenance of this indoor flower, such problems will not bother. But remember that when buying, it will not hurt to thoroughly examine the specimen to make sure it is in good health.
cultivation experience
at home ... read
Description of peperomia
Peperomia is a member of the Pepper family. The name comes from the Greek words "peperi" and "homois", which translate respectively as "pepper" and "like".
In nature, peperomia grows in the tropical and equatorial forests of Peru, Ecuador and Brazil, as well as in tropical Africa and India. Under natural conditions, peperomia occurs in the form of shrubs, semi-shrubs, evergreen perennial and annual grasses, epiphytes, ampelous plants, succulents.The signs of various species are most often individual, but there are also a couple common to all species - fleshy shoots and a waxy coating on the leaves, which protects the crown from the active rays of the sun and from moisture loss.
Peperomia has thick stems, on which dense leathery leaves without stipules are located along the entire length. The plant is accustomed to accumulating the resulting moisture and nutrients, and not spending on growth. For this reason, the flower grows rather slowly.
The shape and color of the leaves is different for most species. You can rate their appearance below, in the section with their descriptions and photos.
Most types of peperomia are grown as an ornamental deciduous plant. But a healthy plant can bloom under favorable conditions. The flowering period is in spring and summer. At this time, dense inflorescences-ears, like in plantain, rise above the shoots from the axils of the upper leaves.
Peperomia flowers do not have a pleasant smell and attractive appearance. They are so small that sometimes it is difficult to see them with the naked eye. Most often, these are elongated flagella with inflorescences in the form of spikelets (ears) of light green, cream or burgundy on a dark petiole. Pollination and fruit setting occurs only in nature, with the help of pollinating insects. As a result, a fruit is formed - a dry round berry with many small seeds. The berries are separated from the shoot at the slightest touch.
If the plant blooms at home, we advise you to cut the peduncles so that they do not deplete the flower.
And yet, some types of peperomia during flowering look quite interesting, when several inflorescences-spikelets shoot out from the middle of the leaf rosette at the same time, gracefully towering over the lush cap of foliage. An example is Lillian's peperomia, presented in this article below.
Formation of bushes
The main value of peperomia is its decorative appearance. In order for it to look attractive, it needs to be regularly pruned and pinched. It is worth noting that the culture responds well to such manipulations. After the next pruning, foliage build-up is observed. The task of every amateur grower is to form a compact bush. Experts recommend removing excess leaves, as well as pinching the tops of the shoots, thus creating the desired shape.
Different types of peperomia differ in appearance. Plants with large, thick stems need to be pruned frequently. Otherwise, the shoots may fall under their own weight.
In peperomia Wrinkled, foliage becomes smaller over the years, so it must be rejuvenated every two years.
Why do brown spots appear on peperomia and leaves turn yellow?
Often, the flower can be exposed to the harmful effects of thrips insects. At high air temperatures and low humidity, these pests can start. The appearance of brown spots on the leaves of peperomia will serve as a sign. To solve the problem, it is necessary to transplant the flower into fresh soil and treat it with a fungicide (Fitoverm, Aktellik, etc.). At the initial stage of infection, you can simply replace the topsoil, rather than replanting the plant completely.
The mealybug betrays its presence due to the formation of wax-like lumps of white on the surface of the leaf plate and the stem. In case of untimely treatment, the leaves of the plant curl and fall off.
To get rid of insects, it is enough to remove them by hand with a cotton pad or rag, wash the leaf plates and the stem with soap and warm water.
Below are photos of varieties of peperomia pests with an approximate appearance of lesions:
Plant conditions
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Soil and container
Considering that the plant is an epiphyte, its roots do not tolerate hard and heavy soils very badly. Since the roots of all epiphytes need a lot of air, loose soil is most preferable for them. Thanks to this, the water will quickly reach the roots and will not stagnate.
The plant does not tolerate excess moisture, so it will be necessary to think about additional drainage of the soil.
Any soil used for succulents or cacti is suitable for the plant.
If desired, you can also prepare it yourself according to the following scheme:
leaf land - 3 parts
river coarse sand - 1 part
humus or compost - 1 part
peat - 1 part
With such a ratio in the components, a slightly acidic soil will be obtained, which is ideal for peperomias.
In any case, regardless of the method of obtaining the soil, it must be disinfected. It is best to do this in an oven at a temperature of about + 100 ° C.
Then the soil is left in a well-ventilated room without shelter for 10-15 days to restore the microorganisms inhabiting it.
Wrong pot: too low and wide
Plant pots can be made from any material, the main requirement for them is that there is enough space to accommodate the plant's root system. The height of the drainage layer for peperomias is from 6 to 8 cm. Accordingly, the height of the pot should be sufficient to allow the remaining space to accommodate the horse system and substrate.
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Lighting
Since the natural conditions for peperomia are the humid warm climate of the tropics, it is necessary to create precisely these conditions to ensure its normal growth. The plant is located mainly in the lower tiers, so the light reaches it in a diffused form. - it is this kind of lighting that is optimal for him.
Direct sunlight is contraindicated for the plant, so it is best to place it near east or west windows.
In this case, there is no need to use shading or diffusers. If it becomes necessary to place a pot with peperomia on the south window, you can do so, however, care should be taken to ensure that the light does not fall directly on the plant. For these purposes, you can use some kind of curtains or tulle.
If the plants on the south window are in several rows, the peperomia is placed in the second row, and so on. The plant needs about 8-10 hours of sunshine per day. This is fully ensured in summer, but in winter (more precisely, from October to February) additional lighting will be required.
Peperomia can be grown without sunlight at all, however, it needs about 15-16 hours of artificial light. regardless of the season.
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Content temperature
Since the plant is native to the tropics, it is thermophilic. Many even consider peperomia to be capricious.
In principle, the conditions in our apartments are quite suitable for the peperomia to be comfortable
The temperature during the warm period should be in the range from + 20 ° С to + 22 ° С, in the cold from + 18 ° С to + 22 ° С. The death of a plant occurs at temperatures below + 16 ° C. Such insignificant changes in temperature in the warm and cold periods are due to the fact that almost all perennial Peppers lack a dormant period as such.
The above temperature limits apply to air, but there are also requirements for the temperature of the substrate. The substrate also has its own range: from + 17 ° C to + 20 ° C. The temperature should be exactly within these limits, no more, no less.
Peperomia in the greenhouse
The metabolism of most tropical plants is such that any changes in the "normal" regimes have a detrimental effect on the life of the plant as a whole and often lead to disease and death.
It is especially important not to overcool the substrate in winter.
To do this, not only can you not place plants in drafts, but also place it on cold windowsills. Sometimes, wooden or polyurethane stands are used to isolate the plant from the cold substrate.
Botanical description
The indoor peperomia flower belongs to the Pepper family, which consists of evergreen crops with herbaceous or semi-lignified stems. All members of the family live in warm regions. Peperomias are native to the American tropics, where they grow under trees on a thick layer of moss.
Representatives of the genus peperomia never reach large dimensions, the maximum size of a bush is 50 cm in height. They do not stretch like vines, preferring to remain compact, stocky, with dense leaves and small roots.
The modest size of the underground part and the slow growth of shoots make it possible to grow peperomia in the same containers with other plants. No one will be cramped next to this flower. This property is used when composing living compositions, filling florariums and indoor greenhouses.
The genus peperomia includes plants with green, brown, red, gray, striped, white and yellow leaves. Plates can be monochromatic, multi-colored, leathery, wrinkled, thin, fleshy.
Photo: Peperomia flowering
Variegated varieties with colorful leaves are called variegated peperomia. This group includes any variety, the plates of which are covered with spots, stripes or specks.
Peperomia stems are thick, leafy along the entire length. The leaflets are opposite.
Plants bloom inconspicuously. In the spring or early summer, numerous candles of white or brown color shoot upwards. Each is made up of very small flowers. If the inflorescences are not cut off, dark, dense berries suitable for sowing will form on them.
Peperomia is not only a beautiful flower, but also benefits for the home. It purifies the air by releasing phytoncides. The room in which this member of the pepper family stands has a clean, bacteria-free atmosphere. Species with a pronounced spicy scent can relieve headaches.
There are signs and superstitions according to which peperomies contribute to peace in the house, improve relationships between family members and attract money.
Can I keep it in the house?
There are no "contraindications" for keeping peperomia in the house. Moreover, this is perhaps the friendliest plant for their masters. Peperomia absorbs all the best emotions of others and gives them to their owners. That is why people with peperomia are almost always in a good mood and very active.
Upon entering a house where peperomia grows, you will immediately feel warmth and comfort. This flower does not like loneliness, so the balcony, porch, bedroom will become a destructive place for him - he needs to be constantly surrounded by people.
Peperomia has a positive effect on the space around it. These flowers, even at the first glance at them, cause a constant smile with their originality, friendliness and variegated color. Therefore, it is generally accepted that peperomia:
Brings positive energy into the house.
It repels many diseases. In particular, it affects the mammary glands, gallbladder and the digestive system.
With her, recovery from an illness is much faster. Destroys toxins and microbes, cleans the energy of the room from various negativity.
When rubbed, the leaves of this amazing flower emit a specific aroma that relieves headaches and relieves bad mood.
Any peperomia standing in an office space will not only decorate the office.She will help you tune in to the right, productive solutions. Work problems will no longer be so serious and insoluble. When in the director's office, peperomia can help him make the necessary correct decisions.
Seed propagation
There are several ways to propagate peperomia flowers: by seeds, cuttings (leaf and stem) and by dividing the bush.
The seeds of the plant are sown in small containers. For planting, a mixture of sand and leafy soil, taken in equal quantities, is used. The seeds are buried in the soil, after which the pots are covered with glass on top. A mini greenhouse is needed to get seedlings. Crops contain at a temperature of +25 ° C. Before emergence, care consists in moistening the soil. Watering is carried out using a spray bottle. As soon as one or two leaves are fully formed on the seedlings, they can be dived into the boxes, maintaining a distance of 2 by 2 centimeters. For planting, you can use the soil of the same composition as before. At this stage of development, young plants need good lighting, but at the same time they need to be shaded from bright rays.
Species diversity
The species diversity of the family is amazing, biologists say the number is several thousand species. Dozens of peperomia species are grown at home, the description of the species and names indicates noticeable differences in the phenotype.
They differ in color, size, shape and foliage pattern. Leaf shape options:
oval;
elliptical;
rounded;
heart-shaped;
elongated;
lanceolate.
In some varieties, a rounded notch is noticeable at the ends of the plates.
Ampelnaya
This type of plant is intended for planting in hanging pots or containers. As a rule, these are varieties with upward or downward creeping stems.
Popular varieties of ampelous peperomia include:
Peperomia head (glabella) grows up to 20-22 cm. The leaves are slightly oval, almost round. Arranged in the next order, have a smooth surface, bright green color.
Peperomia whorled has small, fleshy leaves of an oval or rhombic shape. Green leaves have almost no petioles, grow whorls at the nodes.
Peperomia angulata notable for its large size, up to one and a half meters. Bright leaves look especially advantageous in hanging compositions.
Peperomia round-leaved - the owner of almost round bright green leaves. The bush grows very luxuriantly, the foliage completely covers the ground. Shiny leaves resemble metal coins.
Peperomia creeping - epiphyte with straight shoots growing in opposite directions. The leaves are pointed, rather oval, short. Different varieties have different colors, they are rich green, variegated, with a light edging.
Climbing peperomia (prostrata) It differs from other species in a unique pink shade of the stem. Leaves are oval, pointed, rather large, with a waxy coating.
It is very popular with flower growers variegated peperomia, which has a characteristic feature - the leaves of a young plant are almost creamy, as the flower matures, the central part turns green.
Peperomia pereskyely it stands out with small dark leaves with embossed veins, which are arranged in rosettes of 4-5 pieces.
Rubella pleases the eye with bright colors. Branched red shoots are covered with sparse down. The upper part of the leaf blades is shiny, colored in a bluish-green hue, and the lower one is red and covered with long sparse hairs. The front of the leaf is decorated with light veins. Thin inflorescences are covered with small green flowers.
Plant photos
Here you can see the photo of the flower:
Description of culture
In our latitudes, peperomia is an indoor flower. The plant has fleshy thick stems that can be erect, creeping, drooping.Sometimes the stems are so short that the bushes resemble rosettes. The roots of the peperomia are tuberous or creeping. The leaves of the plant are thick, with a developed aquiferous tissue, like all succulents.
Outwardly, all peperomias are very different from each other. The main difference is the foliage. It can be variegated, glossy, dark green, golden-silver, olive, velvety, corrugated. In shape, the leaves can be smooth, wrinkled, fleshy, cordate, rounded. On the bush, they are located in whorls or alternately.
Peperomia for home signs
According to the teachings of the ancients, the plant is able to bring extremely positive energy into the house.
At the same time, they produce a negative biofield, can those species in which:
leaves are oval or rounded;
the tips are pointed or spiny.
In fact, this can be considered as a description of the plant Peperomia shriveled wrinkled indoor.
From this side, the plant is rightfully considered ideal for its living quarters. Location also plays an important role.
Reference: it is considered to be the best solution to put the plant in the corner of the apartment, since the maximum concentration of negative energy is observed, which provokes quarrels and scandals between loved ones.
If we consider it from the side of Feng Shui, then it is able to significantly reduce the level of scandals and quarrels, eliminate contradictions. Its owners are able to quickly learn to be tolerant and balanced. It is often compared to a money tree.
Its element is metal, which is why Japanese healers recommend choosing a location in the center of the room, where it will always be in a prominent place.
According to belief: if there is such a flower in the house, then with a high probability complete idyll and benevolence will reign in it.
Useful properties of peperomia
The described plants have variegated foliage. The very shape of the bushes resembles a friendly family that gets along in a relatively small area. Experts believe that the bright color of the foliage speaks of the soft and friendly nature of this flower.
Any peperomia can be kept in a house where people with rebellious traits live. Plants maintain a calm atmosphere in the home. It is believed that harmony and tranquility reign in the room where they grow.
Peperomia is said to have a profound effect on human health. The flower has a particularly positive effect on the representatives of the Cancer sign. It is difficult to say how true such statements are. Still, the culture is worthy of attention due to its unusual appearance and easy care. It is difficult to overestimate the decorative properties of culture. Peperomia looks beautiful on its own. It can be used to organize compositions. The plant looks good with other crops. It can be placed next to succulents, ornamental foliage forms and ferns.
Possible difficulties
Peperomia is unpretentious. But nevertheless, in the process of growing, novice florists may encounter some difficulties. All of them arise in connection with errors in the content of culture.
The plant blooms very rarely. And the leaves of the culture are very delicate, they are cast in silver. According to the housewives, under normal conditions and minimal care, peperonia grows very quickly. If you wish, you can very quickly multiply the culture and create spectacular compositions that can decorate the interior.
Sometimes you can observe the falling of the leaves of the plant, which indicates insufficient temperature and moisture. A sharp drop in temperature is not good for the crop and leads to the appearance of brown edges on the foliage.
If you notice that the plant has become faded and lethargic, and rot spots have appeared on its surface, it is necessary to reduce the number of watering and increase the temperature of the content.
An excess of light leads to wrinkling of the foliage.And the appearance of growths on them indicates waterlogging of the soil. Such problems often arise in winter. An excess of fertilizer leads to the appearance of rusty spots.
Possible growing errors
In general, peperomias stoically react to "adversity" caused by the inexperience of the grower, but their decorative effect can be significantly affected. Therefore, it is important to know what you need to take to correct your own mistakes.
Table: brown tips, leaf spots and other consequences of improper care
External manifestations
Probable cause
The leaves, starting from the lowest ones, dry and fall off.
The plant lacks moisture. Reduce watering intervals.
First, the very tips, then the entire "border" of the leaf plate turn brown and dry.
The flower stands in a draft and / or there are frequent sudden changes in air temperature in the room.
The leaves lose their tone and color, gray-brown spots spread on the stems.
Rot develops due to too much watering, especially if the room is cooler than the flower needs.
The leaves become wrinkled, wither, deformed.
Peperomia got a sunburn. Shade the pot or find another place for it.
Healthy-looking leaves fall off abruptly and en masse.
The room is too cold.
Feng Shui meaning
The plant has many names. American flower growers often refer to it as a "friendly family", emphasizing the special arrangement of the leaves, which are so close to each other that it seems as if they are glued together. In superstitious people, peperomia that grows in the house is associated with an atmosphere of benevolence. Esotericists often call it the flower of love and recommend it to those who want to maintain harmony and loyalty in the family.
The positive energy of peperomia is mentioned more than once in the teachings of Feng Shui. The plant will help reduce the number of scandals and contradictions between the inhabitants of the house, teach them to be more tolerant and caring towards each other.
According to ancient Chinese signs, the houseplant is associated with the element of metal. Possessing magical power, peperomia, like a magnet, attracts material goods to the house, improves the financial situation of all its inhabitants. For this, the feng shui technique recommends placing a flower pot in the center of the room. Such a symbolic arrangement will attract not only money, but also create an idyll in the surrounding space.
Peperomia is an excellent decorative solution not only for the home, but also for the office. The plant will help in creating an atmosphere of goodwill between colleagues. The flower contributes to the development of business, attracting new customers and the financial well-being of the company.
Positive vibrations can attract love, health, happiness, material wealth. The plant will help you find a way out of any situation. Get peperomia and see how the world around you will change for the better.
2.Peperomia - home care
2.1 Reproduction
In spring and summer, vegetative propagation (cuttings) goes well with the help of stem cuttings the length 5 - 7 cm.
The lower leaves are removed from the cuttings and the bases are powdered with growth hormones.
Rooting of cuttings is carried out under a shelter made of glass or a transparent plastic cap. Place the pots with seedlings in a warm place with a temperature of 18 - 20 ° C.
Young leaves are formed within 1 - 1.5 months.
Some varieties, especially variegated ones, propagate by leaf cuttings directly in a glass of water.
It is also possible seed propagation or division large plants when transplanting.
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2.2 Diseases and pests of room peperomia
With insufficient air humidity, the plant begins lose foliage.
Excess water and insufficient drainage cause decay plants - while the stems and leaves turn black, this happens especially often in autumn and winter.
With a lack of light leaves turn pale, and when exposed to direct sunlight during the daytime, leaves can get burned.
In low light leaves shrink and lose their attractive, vibrant coloration.
Peperomia crumbles - losing foliage with a sharp change in temperature conditions, especially if kept in a too cold room.
From leaf diseases, the appearance of rust.
Of the harmful insects, the flower can be attacked by spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, scale insects. Nematodes can settle in the roots of plants, while the leaf blades wither - they lose turgor.
Insects are pests
Insect name
Signs of infection
Control measures
Mealybug
The surface of the leaves and shoots is covered with fluffy, cotton-like white bloom. Plants lag behind in development
Folk remedies: spraying with soap and alcohol solution. Infusion of tobacco, garlic, cyclamen tubers, alcohol treatments, pharmacy tincture of calendula proved to be good. Chemicals: green soap solution, Actellik, Fitoverm.
Nematodes
The leaf blades turn yellow in places located between the veins, then turn brown, black. Eventually, the leaves fall off the plants. When the root system is damaged, the plant becomes weak and withers before our eyes for no apparent reason.
Folk methods: destruction of infected parts of plants, abundant watering with hot water at a temperature of about 70 ° C, hot bath - immersion of the pot in a large container with water at a temperature of 55 ° C for 20 minutes. Chemicals: anthelmintic agents.
Spider mite
Subtle spider webs on the leaves, yellowing and falling foliage with extensive lesions. The surface of the sheet plates becomes dead and covered with small cracks. Plant development slows down.
Folk ways... Plants can be rinsed in the shower and left in the bathroom in a humid atmosphere for half an hour. Irradiation with an ultraviolet lamp every week for 2 minutes. Chemicals based on pyrethrum, sulfur powders, Fitoverm, Actellik.
Thrips
The appearance of yellow spots on the leaf blades, small brown dots can be observed on the underside of the leaves. When spread, the pests cause the leaves to turn yellow, dry and fall off.
Folk ways... Increase the humidity of the air, wipe the surface of the leaves with soapy water to reduce the number of pests. Preparations based on pyrethrum - 2-fold treatment with an interval of 7 - 10 days, spraying with tobacco infusion, infusion of yarrow or Persian chamomile, decoction of cyclamen tubers. Chemicals: dusting with sulfur powders, the use of anabazine - sulfate in a soap solution.
Shield and false shield
Sticky droplets on the leaves, small yellow spots on the surface of the leaf plates. With a large spread of scale insects, they contribute to the drying and falling of leaves. Flowers slow down their development
Folk methods of struggle... Spraying with soap and alcohol solution. Scabbard larvae do not like garlic infusion; they also use pyrethrum-based products. Chemicals... Fitoverm, Aktellik, Fufanon.
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2.3 When peperomia blooms
Summerhowever, flowering is of little interest in most varieties.
2.4 Transplant
Peperomia is transplanted in the spring, with the beginning of new growth, when the pot or flowerpot becomes frankly cramped for her (which happens very rarely, since plants have a very modest root system) or there is a need to change the soil.
On average, mature plants need replanting. every 2 years... It is not worth touching the plant without the need - it does not like frequent transplants.
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2.5 Primer for peperomia
Nutritious soil with excellent drainage.
A mixture of peat, garden soil, leaf humus with the addition of coarse river sand to improve drainage is suitable.
The substrate must have neutral or slightly acidic pH, the soil in which the flower is grown should easily allow moisture and air to pass to the roots.
2.6 How to care, prune
Peperomia is not difficult to grow indoors if the basic plant requirements are met. Overall, this is a very nice flower that will do for beginner florists.
Peperomia does not tolerate either excess moisture or droughts.
Long-stemmed varieties should be given support for growth. The tips of young shoots regularly pinchto get a richly branching plant.
In order to maintain a compact shape, some species will need pruning... It is also necessary to cut off old, diseased leaves in a timely manner, which spoil the appearance of the plant and can contribute to the spread of fungal diseases.
Pruning is carried out with a sharply sharpened and sterile instrument - a pruner or a knife.
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2.7 Watering
Watering should be regular in the warm season. Dry the soil to a depth between waterings. 3 - 5 cm. In the fall, the frequency of watering is slightly reduced in accordance with the temperature of the content.
In spring and summer, you can water plants by immersion in a large container with water for a few minutes, excess moisture must drain through the drain holes. In general, plants are more likely to prefer a short dry period than an overflow.
During the fall and winter months, the frequency of watering can be reduced according to the ambient temperature.
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2.8. Maintenance conditions - fertilizer
Peperomia is content modest feedingwho conduct monthly from spring to autumn. Plants do not feed at rest.
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2.9 Temperature
Peperomia at home can be grown year round at normal room temperature ranging from 20 to 25 ° C. Do not expose the plant to temperatures below 15 ° C.
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2.10 Lighting
Peperomia needs brightly lit location without direct sunlight. Variegated varieties can take sun baths in the morning and evening hours, when grown in partial shade, their color fades and the leaves turn green. Green-leaved varieties can be grown in penumbra... In autumn and winter, the maximum possible lighting can be provided, and light up the plants fluorescent lamps.
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2.11 Spraying
In spring and summer, when the air temperature is high and the central heating is on, the humidity should be increased. Place near the plant room humidifier or place the pot on pallet with wet pebbles... Do not grow peperomia near heat sources or doorways where drafts are present.
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2.12 Purpose
Peperomias are so diverse in their appearance that a whole collection can be assembled from plants. Some varieties with lodging, creeping shoots can be used as ground cover plants at the foot of large trees or ampelousplantsgrown in hanging pots. Due to the spectacular appearance and very modest size of some varieties, peperomia has found wide application in compositions placed in florariums.
2.13 Note
Some plants can expose the bottom shoots and become less attractive - they are changed to new ones obtained with the help of cuttings. Peperomia is not poisonous.
Hydroponics.
Florist reviews
Peperomia has a very negative attitude to wet ground, you need to water it a little bit, even after it dries out. Does not tolerate waterlogging at all. Polishka
If you do not put on bright and prolonged lighting, do not feed too much nitrogen and pinch the tops, then the peperomia will grow in a bundle. However, peperomia will still try to become a vine, so to speak. Mine are so very fond of growing out and hanging out of the pot in a year. Half of my plants live in moss. I feed, like everyone else, liquid fertilizer. Peperomias are no exception. Not a single one has died from such feeding. Marinusik
Thanks to its beautiful and dense flower crown, peperomia decorates more than one of my rooms. And if we take into account the fact that the flower emits phytoncides, which have a detrimental effect on various bacteria, then it is quite understandable why I have two such flower pots in the nursery. Peperomia is not at all demanding in terms of care. I will water, feed and form a crown in time (pinching a couple of leaves where necessary) and there is a bright green small ball that will decorate any corner in my room. The main thing is to know that peperomia does not like waterlogging of the soil, but at the same time, constant droughts will not benefit it either. The soil in the flowerpot should be moderately moist. In order not to be afraid to make a mistake with the amount of moisture, it is imperative to ensure that there is a good drainage layer in the flowerpot with the plant. In summer, with abundant watering, excess water will not linger, and in winter, a drainage layer will help prevent the roots of the flower from chilling. It is believed that peperomia can improve the energy field in the house, making it cleaner, preventing negative emotions from manifesting. In a word, the flower adjusts only to the positive! Lyntik
Peperomia leaves, if they break off, can be stuck into the ground. They give babies from the leaf like violets. You just need to dry it. It will definitely not die in the heat. raccoon04
Peperomia needs a moderate temperature, in winter not lower than 12-14 ºС. Bright diffused light or partial shade is desirable. Peperomias also feel good under artificial lighting. Water carefully. Let the soil dry out between waterings, but don't let the leaves wither. In winter I water less often and use slightly lukewarm water. In the summer, I spray the leaves from time to time. I transplant as rarely as possible, as needed every few years. The simplest reproduction is by cuttings, they take root easily. Erect and ampelous varieties of peperomia are propagated by stem cuttings, bushy varieties are propagated by leafy ones. Natalie
For me, a huge plus of peperomia is relatively easy care. I water them about once a week (more often in summer in the heat). No need to pour - the leaves begin to rot.The lighting is moderate, it is on my window, but in the shade - it does not like the bright sun, the leaves become small and quickly dry out. It blooms for a long time, several months. They propagate by cuttings, they take root very quickly. So I recommend it to everyone who is in the slightest degree familiar with floriculture. Natalia715
Some believe that peperomias are completely unpretentious and do not need to be looked after. But, according to my observations, they need good care, and especially timely watering. Watering too often can cause peperomias to rot their roots (they wither) or blacken the tips of the leaves (they soften and fall off). If you are late with watering, then the lower leaves quickly wither, and then turn yellow. Even in peperomias, the stem may become bare over time, since the lower leaves die off. Therefore, they can cut off the top and root it, and young leaves will grow again on the stump. You also need to shape, shortening the shoots, because they stretch and "lie down". Solnyshko4
Reproduction methods
Shrub peperomias are propagated by a leaf, erect and ampelous - by stem cuttings.
Leaf propagation:
pluck the leaf along with the petiole;
bury in wet sand up to half of the plate;
cover with a transparent cap.
Rooting will last for several weeks and is considered complete when a young leaf emerges from the sand.
For propagation by cuttings, you just need to cut a branch and put it in water. Roots will appear on it very quickly. The branch can then be planted in a small pot with light peat soil.
Reproduction
The division of the plant is quite simple, several types of reproduction are available.
Propagation of peperomia by cuttings
This is the most affordable and popular type of flower division. The trimmed stalk is cleaned of all leaves, except for the top ones, left to dry for 1-1.5 hours and planted for rooting in a sand-peat mixture for 1-1.5 months.
In this case, the soil temperature should be at least 25C. Many species can be rooted in water. To do this, the cutting is placed in warm water and the roots are awaited.
Reproduction of peperomia by a leaf
A leaf with a petiole of at least 1 cm separated from the cutting is treated with a root root and immersed in a sand-peat mixture. From above, the container is covered with a bag and left at a temperature of 19-21 degrees with diffused lighting. For 1-1.5 months, the soil is moderately moistened, and the pot is turned to light so that new rosettes at the base of the leaf are formed evenly. Then new basal shoots are divided and planted. Their flowering is possible in the first year.
Some plant varieties, such as silvery peperomia, can multiply with parts of the leaves. The main condition is the presence of a minimum part with which the leaf was attached to the stem.
Medicinal properties and benefits
It is customary to refer to the advantages of peperomia as its cleansing energy. Volatile biological substances (phytoncides) released by the plant during watering or polishing disinfect the air, eliminate pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms.
With its healing power, peperomia is widely used as a remedy. A delicate aroma, reminiscent of the smell of pepper, relieves headaches, restores immunity weakened after illness. Doctors recommend purchasing the plant for those who are prone to oncology. To reduce the risk of developing a serious illness, the flowerpot is placed in the corner of the bedroom, which is visible from the bed. Peperomia has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system and mammary glands.
Transfer
Do not transplant peperomia too often. An indoor flower should not be disturbed often. The transplant is carried out exclusively as needed, no more than once every two years. To do this, you should take a small pot, since the roots of the plant are not very developed. In the container for planting, there must certainly be a good drainage layer (up to 6 cm).
Peperomia, the photo of which can be seen in the article, grows very slowly, and yet, if you notice a lack of growth, you need to check if the roots are peeping out of the drainage layer.
For transplanting, you must use a prepared mixture of sand, peat, humus and earth (1: 1: 1: 2). The soil should not be dense. Heavy soil leads to root rot.
It is necessary to transplant the plant in the spring, when all processes are activated. The base of the stalk cannot be deeply deepened into the ground; it is better to leave most of it on the surface.
Similar varieties
Inflorescences of many varieties of peperomia are very similar in appearance to plantain inflorescences.
Peperomia blunt-leaved has large glossy leaves, similar to the leaves of rubber ficus.
With medium-sized leaves and a curly form, creeping and heady peperomia have something in common with tradescantia, but peperomias have more rigid leaves.
Peperomia shriveled and a similar appearance with red leaves are slightly similar to certain varieties of decorative deciduous begonias.
Many types of peperomia, thanks to their bright and juicy leaves, their exotic and elegant appearance, unpretentiousness, occupy a worthy place in the collections of gardeners and home greenhouses. A wide variety of varieties makes it possible for every indoor plant lover to choose exactly the flower that best fits into the interior of the room.
general information
The pepper family, to which peperomia belongs, is represented on the planet by a thousand herbaceous annuals, perennials and even semi-shrubs.
All this diversity grows in tropical and subtropical regions, the birthplace of our "pepper" is South America.
It is there, in the humid tropics, that the plant feels great on a moss bed, near crevices in the rocks. Interestingly, even in such favorable conditions, the size of the flower is small, the maximum is half a meter in height.
The fact is that the plant uses its reserves very competently: why be long and weak, if you can become "stocky", viable, acquire thick juicy leaves. Florists, by the way, observe a similar rational approach in their pets and at home. ATTENTION: unhurried growth and not the most powerful root system allow peperomia to coexist with other indoor plants, even in the same pot. Neither citrus nor monstere will be cramped next to it, and the composition can turn out to be original.
Pruning peperomia and how to pinch shoots
Pruning for peperomia is an optional but desirable procedure to enhance its decorative effect. Ampel varieties after cutting off young shoots grow even more, which makes the flower "fluffy". The pinching method can help to grow a more branchy and taller houseplant. As a rule, erect shoots are cut off when they reach a height of 20-25 cm. Higher shoots break under their own weight. At the cut site, 2 to 4 new shoots grow. Shrub plant species do not require pruning.
How to pinch peperomia shoots is described in detail in the video below:
Watch it for a detailed study and confidence in the correctness of your actions.