How to Grow and Care for Beetle Peperomia Plant (Peperomia angulata) Indoors
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Botanical name: Peperomia angulata
Synonym: Peperomia quadrangularis
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: Beetle Peperomia, Beetle Radiator Plant
Description
Beetle Peperomia Plant (Peperomia angulata) also called Beetle Raditor Plant is a slow-growing tropical herbaceous plant which bears fragile reddish stems and has a trailing or a hanging habit.
Peperomia angulata also called Peperomia quadrangularis, belongs to the family Piperaceae, the pepper family, in which are about 3600 species.
The leaves in Beetle Raditor Plant are fleshy, oval-shaped, glossy, dark-green with light green lines and look like small Beetles, hence, the common name, 'Beetle Peperomia'.
Flower
Beetle Peperomia bears a whitish erect inflorescences that are not very decorative and it is advisable to pinch them off once they appear so that the plant can direct its energy to foliage growth.
Size
Beetle Peperomia Plant grows to a height of about 1 ft and bears trailing stems which make it ideal for a hanging basket.
Origin
Peperomia angulata is native to Central and South America where it grows in the shady tropical and subtropical conditions.
Where to Buy
Beetle Peperomia Plants in various sizes are readily available online at Etsy. Buy Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia angulata) from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Peperomia angulata Care Indoors
Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia angulata) thrives in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Peperomia angulata requires regular pruning to keep the plant neat and tidy, to encourage a bushy growth as well as minimize pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when the plant becomes extremely pot-bound as it grows best when the roots are confined. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Beetle Peperomia Plant grows best in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight.
Too little light will result in a leggy plant while direct sunshine can lead to scorching of the leaves.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Watering
Watering Beetle Peperomia Plant involves completely drenching the soil during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Significantly reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead in root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.
Temperature
Beetle Peperomia Plant requires an average warmth within the range of 15-260C. Temperatures outside this range will affect the plant negatively. Keep it away from draughts (cold and hot) as they can cause leaf drop.
Humidity
Beetle Peperomia Plant thrives in a humid environment. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity.
You can also grow Beetle Radiator Plant in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Beetle Peperomia Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing period. Withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repot Beetle Peperomia Plant during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound as it grows best when slightly root-bound.
Use a pot one size larger than the current one and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
Soil
The best soil for Beetle Peperomia should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Most multi-purpose potting mixes like this quality potting mix available at Etsy are ideal for Beetle Radiator Plant.
Pruning
Pruning Beetle Peperomia Plant involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.
To encourage a bushy, compact growth, regularly pinch off the growing tips.
As the plant ages, it wil become straggly therefore, cut back the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Beetle Peperomia Plant (Peperomia angulata) propagation can be done at the beginning of the growing season from leaf-cuttings, stem-cuttings or by plant division.
How to propagate Beetle Peperomia Plant from leaf cuttings in water
The leaf cuttings root easily, therefore there is no need for a rooting hormone. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Beetle Radiator Plant and ensure each leaf cutting has a petiole.
Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the leaf cuttings to prevent rotting.
Place the leaf cuttings in a jar of clean plain water and change the water every 5-7 days.
Place the set up in warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight until growth begins at the base of the cuttings leaf petiole.
Allow enough time for substantial growth of the roots and new leaves before transplanting the new plants.
Transfer the rooted cuttings to individual pots and place in a warm, well-lit place. For a fuller Beetle Radiator Plant, transfer several plants into one pot
Maintain the soil moist until the new Beetle Peperomia Plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Beetle Peperomia Plant from stem cuttings
The stem-tip cuttings root easily, therefore, there is no need for a rooting hormone. Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 in. length from a healthy Beetle Peperomia Plant and ensure each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves.
Insert the cuttings in moist rooting soil and place in warm well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.
Allow for substantial growth before transferring the rooted stem cuttings to individual pots after which you can begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings in one pot.
How to propagate Beetle Peperomia Plant by plant division
Water the Beetle Peperomia thoroughly at least one day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
Take the plant out of its pot and divide it into several sections.
Pot these sections in individual pots and place in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid killing the plants.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges on the plant sections.
Allow the new Beetle Peperomia Plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care
Photo Credit: Crocus
Peperomia angulata Problems Indoors
Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia angulata) problems indoors include dropping leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, leggy stems, brown and crispy leaves, root-rot among others. Continue reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Dropping leaves
Beetle Peperomia dropping leaves (leaves falling) is due to many and varied reasons. One possible reason for dropping leaves is too low temperature.
Move the the plant to a warmer spot away from cold draughts and maintain an average room temperature.
The second possible reason for Beetle Peperomia dropping leaves (leaves falling) is that the plant has been underwatered causing the foliage to wilt and drop.
Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings but reduce watering during the cold season.
Read more on 12 reasons why Peperomia is dropping leaves (leaves falling).
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Beetle Peperomia Plant are caused by two possible reasons. Remove all the damaged leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy.
One possible reason for brown leaf tips and edges in Beetle Peperomia is sudden changes in temperature due to draughts (drafts).
Keep the plant away from draughts like drafty windos, windy doors, hot vents, air conditioners and others.
Maintain warm temperatures for the plant within the range of 18-250C.
The second possible reason for brown leaf tips and edges in Beetle Peperomia is too low humidity.
To raise humidity, set pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
A terrarium is also a good place to grow Bettle Radiator Plant as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
Brown, crispy leaves
Brown and crispy leaves in Beetle Peperomia Plant are due to too dry air as it prefers a humid environment.
Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to elevate humidity.
The Beetle Peperomia Plant can also be grown in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained here.
Dry, crispy leaves
Excess soluble salts in the soil from the water or excess feeding will cause dry, crispy leaves in Beetle Peperomia Plant.
Regularly flush out the salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes and repeat the process several times.
Leggy stems (growth)
Leggy stems in Beetle Peperomia Plant are due to too low light. In attempt to reach the light source the plant grows weak elonagted stems.
Cut back the stems to rejuvenate growth and move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright, indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Wilted, discolored leaves, corky swellings under the leaves
Soggy soil for Beetle Peperomia Plant is the cause of wilted and discolored leaves and corky swellings under the leaves.
This is an indication of root-rot disease. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the disease. Read more on how to treat root-rot disease here.
Diseases
Beetle Peperomia is also prone to leaf spot disease and leaf viral diseases. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the disease.
Pests
Common pests in Beetle Peperomia are Aphids and Mealy Bugs. Isolate the affected plant and treat it with Neem oil or Insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests.
Is Beetle Peperomia toxic?
Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia angulata) like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe to grow indoors.
