Peperomia argyreia, sometimes known as watermelon peperomia, is a gorgeous and extremely popular houseplant. It has lovely green foliage in the shape of teardrops with striking silver stripes. Red leaf stems (petioles) are a striking addition.
This tiny houseplant, which is native to parts of South America, is ideal for bright workspaces and tabletops. Since it only gets to be between 8 and 12 inches tall, it is very simple to display on shelves and in sizable terrariums. Put the watermelon peperomia where you can see it clearly because the silver variegation glows in strong light.
When combined with other variegated plants, the foliage’s pattern looks fantastic (such as sterling silver scindapsus or polka dot begonia, as well as varieties with darker foliage like Raven ZZ plant or flowering anthurium). Of course, it serves as a focus point by being displayed as a spectacle.
Purchase Watermelon Peromia Look for the watermelon peperomia from Costa Farms in your preferred retailer’s Trending Tropicals line. View a list of our retail partners, both offline and online.
Watermelon Peperomia Growing Instructions
Light For optimal results, grow your watermelon peperomia where it receives medium to bright light. This means that at the location where you grow it, it should produce a medium-to-strong shadow for the majority of the day. In hot climates, however, avoid direct afternoon sun through a window, especially in the summer. It may get sunburned.
Advice: Watermelon peperomia can survive without direct sunlight. Both natural and artificial light are pleasant to it.
Water As the top 50 percent or so of the potting soil feels dry to the touch, water the watermelon peperomia plant. It is sensitive to overwatering, so it’s typically best to wait if you’re unsure whether to give it a drink. Watermelon peperomia tends to hold up well if it becomes a little too dry because its leaves are relatively thick.
Humidity Provide your watermelon peperomia with average relative humidity levels. Unlike many houseplants, it does not require high humidity, but desert-dry air can cause its leaf edges to become brown. If your plant’s growth area is particularly dry, you should grow it among other houseplants to increase humidity. Alternately, put a tiny humidifier nearby. It can be be grown on a tray of pebbles.
Fertilizing If you like, fertilize your plants using a fertilizer made specifically for indoor plants in the spring and summer. Simply make sure to adhere to the instructions found on the product packaging. Never use more fertilizer than what the directions call for.
Recall that watermelon peperomia is planted for decorative purposes only; it is not meant for use in food.
Add these types to your Watermelon Peperomia:
925-Sterling Scindapsus These two Trending Tropicals kinds go beautifully together to create a silver-on-silver look.
Animal Ear Compare and contrast elephant’s ear foliage with watermelon peperomia.
Pilea For a spectacular appearance, combine your watermelon peperomia with a pilea with silver variegation, such as Dark Mystery, Norfolk, or Silver Tree.
Light/Exposure
Mine is growing in light that is moderately bright. It is eight yards from a window that faces south and gets no direct light.
This particular plant does well with lesser light levels. No growth if the light is too low. Burn if in a scorching sun.
In order to provide your Watermelon Peperomia with the necessary light during the colder winter months, you might need to transfer it to a brighter location. Here are some more suggestions for winter plant care.
Watering
I can’t tell you how frequently to water yours because there are different factors at play, like the size of the pot, the soil mix, the environment of your home, and the area where it’s growing.
Water your Watermelon Peperomia generally when the soil is 3/4 dry. You should water more frequently in the summer and less frequently in the winter.
I water mine every five to six days during the summer months because of the intense sunlight, heat, and low humidity levels in this area. Every 7 to 12 days during the winter. Depending on the environment where you live, you might not need to water yours as frequently.
Water is stored in the dense leaves and succulent stalks. Keep yours from getting too damp to prevent root rot.
The bottom of the pot should ideally have 1 or more drainage holes so that any extra water may drain out.
As you can see, this plant takes on a somewhat open and airy look as it grows. The Watermelon Peperomia flowers are on the wine-colored stalks on the left that are tipped with pale green.
Humidity
Peperomias enjoy humid environments because they are native to subtropical and tropical areas. In spite of this, the ones used for houseplants are typically humidity-adaptable.
The humidity is 11% as I write this in mid-April. To put it mildly, it’s dry, and my watermelon pepperomia is doing great!
In my living/dining area, I have a humidity reader. It works well and is inexpensive. When the humidity falls below 30%, which occurs frequently in Arizona, I turn on my tabletop humidifiers.
Every month I also give my peperomia a bath in the kitchen sink and, when the summer rains come, I leave it outside for about an hour.
Try placing your plant on top of a saucer that has been filled with small rocks and water if you believe yours is under stress due to humidity. Be careful not to submerge the drain holes.
Additionally, you can mist your peperomia a few times per week. Here is the tiny sprayer that I have been using for more than 3 years and it is still in excellent condition.
My Peperomia obtusifolia, Peperomia caperata, and Peperomia Raindrop. Various, but they all have lovely leaves.
Fertilizer
I apply a little amount of worm compost/compost to all of my houseplants (apart from air plants, bromeliads, and orchids) every spring. Avoid using too much; a 1/4-layer will do for a 6-pot batch. Every time you water, it gently decomposes and seeps into the soil.
Throughout the warmer months, I water my peperomias with Eleanor’s VF-11 three or four times every week. Due to the 2022 supply chain issue, online orders of this product are currently delayed, however if you can’t get it locally, keep checking again.
Alternatively, I also feed with Maxsea three to four times year. Here, the growing season is lengthy, so my plants appreciate and require the nutrients.
Other choices are Joyful Dirt and this kelp/seaweed fertilizer. Both are well-liked and get favorable ratings.
For your peperomia, fertilizing twice a year might be sufficient. Because many fertilizers are heavy in salts and can eventually burn plant roots, avoid overfertilizing (using too much of a ratio or doing it too frequently).
Soil/Repotting
The best times for repotting are spring, summer, and early fall, much like for fertilizing and feeding.
For all the information and a step-by-step guide, see this post and video on Peperomia repotting.
Because they stay compact and don’t grow quickly, watermelon Peperomias only require repotting every five years, providing they aren’t stressed out from being potbound. Just increase the size of the pot by one. By way of illustration, from a 4 to a 6 grow pot.
In a nutshell, I make my own succulent and cactus mix using a 1:1 potting soil mixture. The latter has coco coir and chips, which peperomias adore and is a more ecological alternative to peat moss. I add a couple handfuls of compost as well, and then I sprinkle worm compost on top.
In the page, you’ll also find various soil mixtures appropriate for repotting peperomia.
Pruning
With this plant, little pruning is necessary. I only remove a fading or dead bottom leaf once or twice a year.
In contrast to its cousin, the Baby Rubber Plant, it does not trail and develop inward. No need for pruning because it maintains its compactness.
You can notice how this peperomia develops more compactly and tightly in comparison to the Watermelon Peperomia, which is more open.
Propagation
I’ve never divided or taken stem cuttings from a Watermelon Peperomia, but I do have Peperomia obtusifolia.
By using stem cuttings in water, my friend successfully propagated a Watermelon peperomia. I’ve read that leaf cuttings can also be used to propagate it.
Pests
Pests have never invaded my peperomia plants. Because of their soft leaves and stems, I can see how they would be vulnerable to mealybugs. Watch out for spider mites as well.
Pests can quickly spread from plant to plant and multiply over night, so it’s important to take control of them as soon as you notice them.
Flowers
They do, indeed. On the tips of stems with a wine-colored tint, the tiny, green flowers are arranged in clusters. Your Watermelon Peperomia will flower if it is in good health and is content.
I have a few more pepperomias. Peperomia Hope is the plant in the white metallic container, and Peperomia Rainbow is the one just behind it.
Can peperomia become large?
Peperomia comes in well over a thousand different kinds, but practically all of them are typically tiny plants. The majority of peperomia plants can reach heights or lengths of 12 inches (30 cm). It’s uncommon to grow a peperomia bigger than that.
Pruning the plant, especially with trailing kinds, can keep it at a manageable size.
There are numerous varieties and sizes of peperomias that are offered under the same name.
If you’re hoping for a larger plant, keep in mind that some specimens prefer mini (or dwarf) variants that are a few inches smaller than a typical plant. The sizes of different nurseries might also vary.
Here are a few illustrations of more well-known varieties that can reach heights of about 12 inches.
Peperomia Argyreia
Another plant that is easily capable of reaching a height of 12 inches is the watermelon peperomia (and beyond). Be aware that the miniature version of this plant is very popular.
How much time does it take a watermelon peperomia to grow?
Your plant is sunburned if the leaves appear a little washed out or dull. Remove it from the sun’s direct rays.
Your plant is thirsty if its lower leaves are drooping. It should be placed in a small dish of water and allowed to drink as much as necessary.
Too much water is causing the tips of the leaves to brown. Place the watering can there and don’t touch it for at least a few days.
How to propagate
It is simple to grow more plants once you have one! Simply cut off a healthy leaf from the stem at the base, then set it in a glass of water in a bright area. The appearance of white roots will start to happen in about 6 to 8 weeks. Plant in soil once a few roots have reached a length of 3 to 4 cm, and then enjoy.
Taking a leaf clipping from your peperomia plant is another approach to reproduce it. Insert the leaf, cut side down, into the ground after cutting it in half horizontally.
Where to buy
Previously rare, watermelon peperomia is now available at Bunnings or your neighborhood hardware store. As they are becoming more and more popular, be sure you don’t pay more than $30 for a huge plant!
How can peperomia watermelons be made bushy?
It’s easy to fix the problem. Move your lanky watermelon peperomia to a more well-lit area. The already stretched leaves won’t get any shorter, but the new growth will be fuller and bushier.
Remember that direct sunlight will injure your plant when you move it to a brighter spot, especially in the summer when it will sear the leaves. A window that faces east or west is great since the plant will receive enough light during the day. Remember once again that summer solar rays can injure your plant even in this place.
This plant grows well under artificial growth lights if natural light is not an available.
Since peperomias don’t generally grow quickly, it can take some time for your plant to develop a bushy appearance.
When ought a Watermelon Peperomia to be repotted?
Watermelon Peperomia has a small but striking appearance. Its leaves, which have silvery stripes and stand rather well on their own, go nicely with other houseplants.
This houseplant that originated in the rain forest is little maintenance. Due to its attractiveness, the Watermelon Peperomia has been a well-liked indoor plant for many years.
It lasts a long time and is typically trouble-free. Any issues are typically caused by watering.
Wilted leaves often signify a thirsty plant. However, over watering will cause the slow-growing plant to wilt due to root rot. Even roots require air. Use a pot with holes for drainage. Put a conventional nursery pot in a cachepot, a decorative pot without drainage holes, if you want to cover it. I filled the bottom of cachepots with little rocks to keep the inner pot above the drainage water.
Crown rot results in leaves and stems that are black. You watered too much. Cut off the damaged leaves and wait a little while before watering again.
Repot in the spring only when you notice roots growing out of the drainage holes or pushing through the soil. Slow-growing Peperomia argyreia does well in a tiny pot. It will benefit from repotting every couple of years, only to rehydrate the soil, as soil can grow compact over time. Don’t compact the soil when repotting; keep it loose.
Is there a problem with your plant? Fungus gnats may be drawn to wet, peaty potting mixtures. They resemble small black flies that creep or jump on the ground. Fungus gnats can come in a bag of moist potting soil or with a plant from the garden center. Because these pests grow quickly and go on to your other indoor plants, you should treat an infestation as soon as you notice it.
Can peperomia grow quickly?
Peperomia is a charming, simple-to-grow houseplant that has been around for a while and is still well-liked today. The ease with which peperomia may be grown indoors contributes in part to its popularity. You don’t need a lot of space to grow it, and it’s one of the better tiny houseplants!
While the majority of varieties are little houseplants, there are some that have stunning variegated leaf and may make a large statement, especially when planted in vibrant containers. Additionally, these incredibly simple indoor plants thrive when grown in groups, so you may mix different peperomia varieties’ hues and textures to stunning effect.
Questions about peperomia Our indoor plant specialists are eager to discuss your peperomia with you. Simply send us an email!
Peperomia Growing Instructions
To maintain peperomia in its happiest state, grow it in a light or medium-sized space. However, they don’t grow as well and their leaves might not be as fascinating. They can endure low light.
When the soil feels dry to the touch, water peperomia. When there is a drought, several kinds of this little houseplant can successfully store water in their fleshy stems and leaves, so they can survive even if you forget to water them or go on vacation.
Peperomias are easy-to-grow houseplants, so you don’t really need to fertilize them, although you can if you want them to grow a little faster. Utilize any indoor plant fertilizer and follow the instructions on the container.
Pruning peperomias is not necessary because of how slowly they grow.
Varieties: Our Favorites
A little houseplant with creeping stems is called a beetle peperomia. The lovely lighter green stripes on the dark green foliage contribute to the plant’s year-round appeal. Note: Another name for this plant is Peperomia angulata.