Peperomia graveolens is a succulent plant from family Piperaceae. This is an endemic plant in Ecuador. you could call Peperomia Graveolens plants as Ruby Glow, Radiator Plants in general.
| Botanical Name | Peperomia graveolens |
| Common Name | Ruby Glow, Ruby Glow Peperomia, Ruby Peperomia. |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Mature Size | 30 cms when it gets matured |
| Sun Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Soil Type | Well-drained, moist |
| Soil pH | Slightly Acidic, Neutral |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | whitish yellow in color |
| Hardiness Zones | 10a – 11b from: 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.1 degrees Celsius) – 50 degrees Fahrenheit (+10 degrees Celsius ) |
| Native Area | Ecuador |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
| Average price | $ 12- $ 30 |
How do I identify a Peperomia graveolens?
You could easily identify this since it generally has a red stem, bright shiny and v shape red leaves. Hence it carries reddish glow with it. In addition to this, normally the leaves of the Peperomia graveolens plants are thick. However, the flowers of Peperomia graveolens plants are more whitish yellow in color and the sizes of the flowers would vary from 10-inches or 25cm.
Size
This is a shrub which could be grow up to 10 inches in height and 24 inches in width if we give it the required proper care. Plants growing indoor could grow even taller since they will bend towards the direction of the light.
Growth rate
We should grow Peperomia graveolens ideally in areas where it gets bright sunny light. However, there will be no harm for growth even if it gets lower level of light. You should not plant the Peperomia graveolens under direct sunlight. You could ignore that if it gets low level of sunlight. If you have placed the plant under direct bright sun light, you should take necessary steps to minimize the level of sunlight it gets and to protect it.
Temperature
This is a plant which prefers to grow in a warm atmosphere. It will be difficult for them to survive if the temperature falls under 54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius). 65 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius – 24 degrees Celsius) would be the most suitable temperature range for a proper growth of Peperomia graveolens plants.
Humidity
Mid humid conditions would be the ideal humid condition for the survival of the Peperomia graveolens plants. It will be very effective if we can apply a light mist on the leaves. One option of doing it would be applying a little mist with water and wiping them smoothly. You really don’t have to worry on Humidity too much since these plants are tropical plants.
Is it cold hardy
Peperomia graveolens are not cold hardy. We have to make sure that you do not place these plants under 60° degrees Fahrenheit.
Zone
Hardiness zones of them would be from 10a – 11b from: 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.1 degrees Celsius) – 50 degrees Fahrenheit (+10 degrees Celsius)
Watering Requirement
You should water these plants in a moderate and in a consistent way at the same time. Keeping the Peperomia graveolens plants moist would be ideal to have a proper growth of them. Watering the plants from bottom to top would be one good way of watering them. If you let the plants be in soggy condition that will lead to the root rot.
You should minimize the watering activity during the winter months. We should ensure that the first inch of the soil is dry before proceeding with watering with the rest. If we don’t water these plants properly it will become a major concern for the growth of them.
Soil Requirement Type / pH
The best type of soil for a proper growth of Peperomia graveolens would be moist, humus rich peat based or well-draining soil. One part perlite or sand and two-part peats would be the perfect succulent plant mix. Besides that, there are other ways of mixing it too which are effective as well. You should utilize a fertilizer twice in the growing season so that the outcome will be better. Best recommended PH of the soil would be 5.1-5.5 (Strongly acidic) and 5.6 – 6.0(acidic).
Flowering and Fragrance
Generally, the flowers of Peperomia graveolens would grow up to 3’ inches high and they will grow on the long stems and the flowers would be small. The flowers reflect an image of a rat’s tail and you could shop them in green. The flowers will carry yellowish – white glow too. They don’t have any fragrance despite the word graveolens is means bad smelling.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
It will be more productive and effective if we can use well-draining pots with sufficient drainage holes. You should repot them once you see they are rootbound. You do not need to do repotting always. It will be productive if we can repot if the roots have totally taken over the pot so that consequently it can absorb the nutrients of the soil.
Where to Plant?
These plants would be everybody’s favorite since we could grow them in small pots. This is a famous house plant since it’s very attractive and doesn’t make more trouble for you. Due to these, we can easily grow them in a container indoors near a window directing them in the right direction where it will get proper sunlight. This would be someone’s desk plant at office as it carries a lot of ornamental value too.
Fertilizer and time of year
You should Fertilize them in a very minimal way as it does well despite whether you fertilize it or not. On the other hand, fertilizing them in the growing months will add more value. You won’t be disappointed with the faster outcome as well. If it’s necessary to fertilize them, you could use an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer once a month.
Dormancy
Peperomia graveolens are summer dominant. Literally, these plants will do the majority of their growing during the fall to winter months.
Other plants Pairs Well With
Graptoveria ‘Silver could grow well along with Peperomia graveolens.
Can it be toxic to pets?
These plants are not toxic for pets. It is an animal friendly plant. Nevertheless, you should be watchful in letting the pets hang around with the plants. Refrain in doing that.
Handling the plant
Providing them an accurate soil type , proper light level, proper temperature, humidity, using fertilizer appropriately, proper propagation, accurate way of potting and repotting and most importantly watering them appropriately are essential facts to think of when you handle these plants.
Common bugs and Illness issues
Whiteflies mealybugs spider mites are some of the frequently spotted bugs. You could do few steps to protect the plants from them. we can use a spray along with an insecticidal soap and water mixture. Further we can wipe the leaves with neem oil.
Those two ways would be very productive in keeping these plants safe from the aforesaid bugs. It is rare that they get pests more of. Anyhow it would be safer to have a look on the stems whether they we can spot any white cotton masses. Normally these plants do not struggle with a lot of diseases. However, the major concern for these plants is over watering them.
Special Care tips
This is a type of a plant which does not require a lot of attention and too much care requirement. Most of the issues of the growth of these plants are water related. it is essential to check on the soil temperature as well as on the fertilizers too.
How do you propagate a Peperomia graveolens?
We could propagate a Peperomia graveolens by simply by stem cutting or by leaf cutting. We can try both ways and see the best possible way to propagate them. Later we can identify the best option for us. We can try in small quantities for a start for that.
Leaf Cutting
Arrange the pots or the tray that you wish to use for this whilst using balanced mix of potting mix and perlite. We should be vigilant on the cleanliness of the trays and on the pots. The equipment which we use for this should be fungus free as if not all our effort will go in vain. Start the process off with cutting a suitable leaf of the plant with clean equipment like scissors / pruning shears. Best would be to cut the leaf into 2-3 pieces and then dig them in the rooting powder which will consequently create new roots.
It’s better if we can make a specific spot to plant the cut leaf. . then it will be convenient for us to plant them in the potting mix. After that you could plant the cut edge in the mix and cover it by the potting soil appropriately. It is very important to not overwater them and to balance the watering process. Besides that, you should place it where it does not get direct sunlight but partial sun light. You should cover the Cuttings as well.
However, you should take off the covers daily for a few hours to not have any fungal disease. You could spot new roots coming up from the cut edge .Ultimately the leaves will begin to show up. Depending on your wish you may plant them in different pots in a timely manner.
Stem cutting
We can follow the same initial steps as above for leaf cutting option as well. We can cut an appropriate stem off the plant ideally with a couple of leaves. Make sure you use the aforesaid equipment with the same conditions.
You can ideally remove one or two leaves from the stem as then a tiny part of the stem would be exposed. Just like the leaf cutting option we can insert the edge of the stem into the rooting powder whilst making room in a small hole for that. We may go ahead with the same steps as above for the rest. The outcome of this whole process will appear in approximately about 2-3 weeks.
Read more : Succulent propergation
How do you repot a Peperomia graveolens?
Repotting is not quite essential for peperomia graveolens frequently. However the best would be to use one size larger than the one which you have currently grown them in. It would be ideal if we can repot these plants from 2-3 years as if not the drainage of the pots could be minimal. That is because the potting mix would be too old.
When we start repotting, we should apply half of the new potting mix whilst keeping the other half separately. You should remove the Plant smoothly from the existing pot and you should plant it in the new pot whilst adding the separated new potting mix around the plant. In this instance we should ensure that the plant does not carry the old potting mix into the new pot. Final step would be to firm the soil and water them without over watering it.
Peperomia plant benefits
This would be everybody’s first choice if they want to have a small shrub or a plant at the desk. This carries a lot of ornamental value as it is graceful in looks and consume only a little space from your desk. This is a very good plant you could grow indoor and it adds so much grace to the entire atmosphere. Further Peperomia plants help to purifies the air as well. It is a phenomenal benefit. We could use it as a gift item as well depending on the individual’s wish.
Related questions
Is Peperomia graveolens an indoor plant?
Undoubtedly yes, since you could easily grow this indoors and it adds so much grace for the whole area despite the location where you place it. Further you could use this plant as a hanging plant as well. Sizes of these plants add more value to the fact that it is a great indoor plant.
Is Peperomia graveolens toxic?
Generally, they are not. these plants are not toxic for the pets. It is an animal friendly plant. Nevertheless, you should be watchful in letting their pets hanging around with the plants as then there will be no harm for anybody.
Do Peperomia graveolens need direct sunlight?
You should not plant the Peperomia graveolens under direct sunlight. There could be an exception for this only if it gets low level of sunlight. If you have grown the plant under direct bright sun light, you should take necccssar stems to minimize level of sunlight it gets and to protect it.
Can Peperomia graveolens be rooted in water?
This is also possible. You could place the stem cuttings in water first and as soon as the roots arises, you could plant them in soil or in the particular pot.
Should I mist my Peperomia?
You could do misting for these plants. These Plants prefer to get the outdoor moisture despite wherever we have placed them. Misting make that happen as it helps for their foliage.
You could do this once a day or thrice a week to have the best consequences. Evaporation will be one good cause for this plant’ s vigorous growth at home which is a result of higher temperature.
Credit to : Stories & Succulents
