Citrullus vulgaris peperomia ( Peperomia argyreia , previously live asPeperomia sandersii ) is a charming houseplant with striped leaves resembling a Citrullus vulgaris ’s rind . Its succulent - like waxy leaves are ellipse with green and silver marker grow at the end of maroon - reddish stem . Watermelon peperomia plants can bring on insignificant flower spike at the end of farseeing stems . The bushy houseplant grow up to 8 ” ( 20 cm ) tall and are easy to grow at nursing home .
This clause is a unadulterated forethought pathfinder to growing watermelon vine peperomia found indoors . You ’ll find helpful advice on growing these decorative peperomia houseplant to supply verdure to innovative living spaces .
What is Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)
The ornamental leave of watermelon peperomia works have beautiful silver stripes
Watermelon peperomia is an evergreen tropical perennial in the genusPeperomiaand flora familyPiperaceae . The botanical name for watermelon vine peperomia isPeperomia argyreia , and it was previously calledPeperomia sandersii . Plants in thePeperomiagenus are related to capsicum plant .
The botanic name of watermelon vine peperomia contains the Christian Bible ‘ argyreia ’ which literally means “ silverish ” — referring to the stripy marking on its oval dark-green leaves . Peperomia watermelon has ‘ watermelon ’ in its vernacular name because its fleshy leaves resemble the rind of a watermelon .
Because of its leaf conformation , peperomia watermelon also has the common name watermelon begonia .
Peperomia plantsare heat - loving plants and are collectively known asradiator plants . The term radiator plant come from the fact that the minor , compact houseplants love affectionate breeze and plenty of indirect sunlight . However , aboriginal to tropic and sub - tropical mood , peperomias — including watermelon peperomia — thrive in humid conditions .
How to Care for Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) — Overview
Grow watermelon peperomia plants in bright light , protect from direct sunlight . plant life watermelon peperomias in loamy , well - draining potting stain , water whenever the soil is partly teetotal , and haze over the leaves occasionally to boost humidness . Peperomia argyreiathrives in temperature between 65 ° F and 80 ° F ( 18 ° C – 26 ° C ) . Encourage growth by fertilizing monthly during the grow time of year .
Watermelon Peperomia Plant Leaves
A skinny up picture of watermelon peperomia reave leaves
Watermelon peperomia have intriguing leave-taking that look like mini watermelon . The oval greenness point leaves have silvery or cream - gloss curving chevron . Citrullus vulgaris peperomia leaves grow on reddish - maroon stems . The rounded leaves have a waxy tactile property , similar tosome types of succulent .
Watermelon Peperomia Flowers
watermelon vine peperomia flowers look like unripe spikes
watermelon vine peperomia plants raise fleeceable flower ear on slim stalks . The tiny efflorescence are insignificant and just recognizable on the bushy plant . Flower stem grow to between 2 ” and 4 ” ( 5 – 10 curium ) long . However , it ’s rare for watermelon peperomias to blossom indoors .
Houseplant owner grow watermelon vine peperomias for their pretty foliage , not the flowers .
How to Care for Watermelon Peperomia
Let ’s look at the best elbow room to grow Citrullus vulgaris peperomia ( Peperomia argyreia ) plants at home . If you follow these grow tips , your peperomia will grow for many old age . You will also be able to propagate more watermelon vine peperomias as gifts for acquaintance .
Watermelon Peperomia Light Requirements
Watermelon peperomia plants flourish in bright , collateral ignitor . pot of light helps the variegated leaves to keep their watermelon - alike appearance . grow in a well - get down elbow room encourages healthy growth and vibrant foliage . However , it ’s vital to keep radiator plant away from lineal sunshine . The sun ’s red-hot rays can cause peperomia leaves to turn yellow and lose their color .
The good indoor locating for watermelon peperomias is in an east- or west - confront elbow room . This location ensures tidy sum of luminance without the intense midday sun . In a Confederate States of America - facing room , keep the peperomia flora away from the windowsill or behind a cobwebby curtain .
Watermelon peperomias areplants adaptable to small - light conditions . So , this peperomia species can also grow in fond or complete shade . The compactplants are ideal for grow in bathrooms , post , or other locations where natural brightness is minimum .
Be aware that watermelon peperomia maturation can become leggy if there ’s not enough luminousness . A deficiency of natural or contrived light make its stem to stretch , and the plant life can lose its thickset growth . You may find that the red stems become farseeing and straggly , and the leave lose their watermelon patterns .
To boost thickset plant life growth , cut down off the leggy stems and move the watermelon peperomia to a brighter location .
Best Soil for Growing Watermelon Peperomia Plants
To care in good order for you watermelon peperomia houseplant , check that to grow it in well - debilitate land
Watermelon peperomia must arise in a fertile potting mix that drain well . make an idealhouseplant potting soilby mixing two parts peat moss , one part perlite , and one part coarse horticultural Baroness Dudevant . Alternatively , expert quality commercial-grade potting mix could also work well for growing potted radiator plants .
The best potting mixture for watermelon vine peperomia need the right balance wheel of organic matter — for example , bog moss peat moss — and inorganic subject such as gravel , perlite , or poultry grit . Peat moss is tripping and airy and holds just enough moisture without becoming compacted . Soil amendments such as perliteare ideal for loosen potting soil to allow for excellent drain .
The best confidential information for growing watermelon peperomia plants is never to allow the roots to sit in sloppy ground . moist , soggy ground causes tooth root waste and , finally , flora end .
Ideally , you take your peperomia soil to dry out reasonably fast between watering . After a thorough soaking , an ideal soil mix should become partially ironical within a few days . This is one means to check that your potting mix is suited for watermelon peperomia .
How to Water Watermelon Peperomia Houseplants
Water watermelon peperomias as often as the top layer of soil dries out . Usually , you may ask to water radiator plants about once a week in summertime and spicy weather . In winter , the peperomia require watering less often , possibly every three calendar week or so . However , soil dryness should always be your guide to recognise when to irrigate a peperomia houseplant .
To know if your watermelon peperomia needs water or not , check that the top 2 ” to 3 ” ( 5 – 7.5 cm ) is completely juiceless . If there ’s any moisture , hold off watering and check again in a few days . It ’s always good to water peperomia less often rather than too much .
recollect that peperomias aredrought - resistant plantsas their fleshy , succulent - like leave store moisture .
To water a Citrullus vulgaris peperomia , soundly drench the soil and let the excess body of water drain out . Then wait until half of the potting mix is dry again before the next watering . Thishouseplant lachrymation techniquemakes trusted that beginning pick up the necessary hydration . allow the grime wry between watering helps to keep overwatering .
Here are some tips about factors affecting how often you need to waterPeperomia genus Argyreia :
Watermelon Peperomia Temperature Needs
Watermelon peperomia grows well in warm temperatures
Average room temperatures are perfect for grow watermelon vine peperomia plants . well-off - care watermelon peperomia temperature range is 65 ° degree Fahrenheit to 80 ° F ( 18 ° atomic number 6 – 26 ° cytosine ) . The minimum temperature for these tropical houseplants is 50 ° F ( 10 ° blow ) . Citrullus vulgaris peperomias are native to tropic and sub - tropic climates and need changeless lovesome temperatures .
The best growing tip for watermelon peperomias is to avoid sudden temperature fluctuations . Even though they are called radiator plants , you should n’t place them next to raging radiators in wintertime . In summer , protect the tropical houseplants from cold drafts , such as overt windows or airflow from the air - conditioning .
Ideal Humidity for Watermelon Peperomia
Average indoor humidity is thoroughgoing for watermelon peperomias . Although watermelon peperomias are native to warm , humid climates , they accommodate well to dry household air . Low to medium humidity levels are fair to middling . But to ensure healthy growth , mist the leaves occasionally to mimic their native surround .
Misting Citrullus vulgaris peperomia leave-taking is commonly necessary during summer . ardent outside temperatures can create ironic air indoors . However , if you ’ve got cardinal heating , some leaf misting may also be utile in wintertime .
To becloud the watermelon peperomia plant leaves , satisfy a spray bottleful with filtered or distilled water . go under the nebuliser to the fine scope and create a fine mist over the industrial plant ’s leafage . Mist the leaves once a week if necessary , or more often in summer if the leaves seem to be drooping .
Other ways to help humidify watermelon peperomias admit the followers :
How to Fertilize Watermelon Peperomia
watermelon vine peperomias are slow growers and have modest fertilizing needs . To boost healthy growth , apply a dilute organic houseplant fertilizer monthly during the turn season . reduce to about one - half of the producer ’s recommendation . However , you may find that your cheerful watermelon peperomia thrive without extra ‘ eat . ’
It ’s better touse constitutive houseplant fertilizersrather than man-made ones . Organic fertilizers such as teatime compost , sea kelp , and industrial plant extract provide all the food your potted peperomia needs .
Here are a few fertilise tip when caring for watermelon peperomia :
Repotting Watermelon Peperomia Houseplants
You do n’t necessitate to repot watermelon vine peperomia often as they are slow growers and thrive when rootbound
Easy - to - tutelage - for Citrullus vulgaris peperomia do n’t require repotting often . The small , compact houseplant thrive when rootbound . So , at most , you will only have to repot them every two or three years . Repotting is also utile to brush up the potting commixture and refill soil nutrients to promote healthy growth .
You screw when it ’s clip to repot a watermelon peperomia when you see etymon nose out the muckle ’s drainage holes .
To repot your watermelon peperomia , choose a potentiometer one size up from its current container . slay the industrial plant and ancestor ball from the pot and didder off loose soil . check up on for any signs of stem disease — kitschy , decaying roots — and shave as necessary . Place the peperomia in a new potful and sate with an appropriate potting mix . ensure that the flora is growing at the same height in the pot as antecedently .
Watermelon Peperomia Propagation
spread a watermelon peperomia plant life is best done by rooting stem cuttings . Snip off a healthy leaf , leaving about 1 - 2 centimeter of the stem . rank the peperomia base cutting in a shallow shock of water and put it in a sunny location . After a few workweek , roots should appear . Transfer the film editing to a small pot that contains moist potting land . Wait until the soil dries before watering it exhaustively .
The other watermelon peperomia propagation method is by leafage slip . slue off a healthy leaf from the plant . Then , cut the leafage in one-half horizontally and point it on a composition towel for a few days to provide the ‘ wound ’ to callus . Then institute the leafage cutting directly in damp stain . Cover with plastic to shut up in wet and keep the territory moist — not damp — until root word appear
How to Prune Watermelon Peperomia
light pruning Citrullus vulgaris peperomias every spring is useful to remove any leggy stems . Trimming dead leaf and straggly growth facilitate to better the plant ’s appearance . Getting free of unneeded leafage also encourage bushy growth by directing the plant ’s Department of Energy into new growth .
Are Watermelon Peperomia Plants Poisonous?
watermelon vine peperomia plant life are not poisonous for cats , dog , or other household ducky . According to theASPCA , Peperomia sandersii(Peperomia genus Argyreia ) is on the list of non - toxic houseplants .
Pests Affecting Watermelon Peperomia Growth
Healthy watermelon vine peperomia industrial plant have few — if any — problems withcommon houseplant pests . If you care for a peperomia well by not overwatering it , the plant will thrive for many days . Also , hopeful light facilitate to promote racy growing to make the plant repellent to bugs .
The most vulgar pest to move weakened watermelon peperomias is mealy bug . You canspot mealybugsby the cotton wool - like furry substance they leave behind on leaves . If you require to get free of mealybug and other houseplant pests , use a neem vegetable oil constitutive pesticide .
Make a neem rock oil glitch spray by add 2 tsp . organic neem oil and 1 tsp . limpid dish goop to a spray bottle containing 1 - quart ( 1 l ) of tepid water . ruffle thoroughly and then spray liberally on the plant ’s foliage to annihilate bugs . Use the neem oil colour root once a week toget rid of plant bugs .
you’re able to also utilise the neem oil pest control sprayif you notice spider mitesorwhitefly infestationson your houseplants .
Diseases Affecting Watermelon Peperomia Growth
If you care for your watermelon vine peperomia well , you will have no plant disease or infection issues . The only trouble watermelon vine peperomia plant have is if you overwater them . Soggy grime do roots to rot and fungous diseases to boom .
If you distrust your peperomia has dilapidate roots , you should repot the plant to help bring it back to life . Dispose of the sure-enough potting filth , trim off brown decaying roots , and replant in a refreshful potting mix .
FAQs About Watermelon Peperomia Plant Care
Watermelon peperomia flora are perfect for beginners because they are easy to worry for . However , a few issues can touch on the plant ’s growth .
Why are my watermelon peperomia leaves drooping?
lacrimation issues are the most rough-cut reason for drooping Citrullus vulgaris peperomia farewell . Soil that ’s too dampish or too dry can sham the plant ’s growth . The result is that the fore lose strength and start to droop .
To vivify your Citrullus vulgaris peperomia , sample to determine the underlying cause . If the soil is damp and mushy , either intercept water it until the soil dry out or substitute the potting mixture .
If the dirt is completely teetotal — for example , it ’s dry around the roots — give the soil a thorough drenching and let the redundant piss run out out . In the futurity , check the potting soil every workweek for waterlessness and water as necessary .
My watermelon peperomia plant leaves are turning yellow, what should I do?
Yellow leave are a common sign of overwatering a watermelon peperomia . Always follow the right houseplant watering methods by let pot dirt to dry out partially between soil drenching .
Yellow watermelon peperomia leaves could also mean rootage rot — also due to overwatering the plant .
Discover other beautifultypes of peperomia plants .
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