How to Grow, Care and Propagate Beetle Peperomia Plant (Peperomia angulata) Indoors
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Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia angulata) grows best in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Peperomia angulata also called Beetle Raditor Plant is one of the popular trailing Peperomia varieties which bears fragile reddish stems and has a trailing or a hanging habit.
The leaves in Beetle Raditor Plant are fleshy, glossy, dark-green, oval-shaped with light-green lines and look-like small Beetles, hence, the common name, 'Beetle Peperomia'.
On account of its compact size and affinity for high humidity, Beetle Peperomia is among the best plants for a closed terrarium.
Botanical name: Peperomia angulata
Synonym: Peperomia quadrangularis
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: Beetle Peperomia, Beetle Radiator Plant
Origin
Peperomia angulata also called Peperomia quadrangularis is native to Central and South America where it grows in the shady tropical and subtropical conditions.
Size
Beetle Peperomia Plant is a slow-growing, tropical herbaceous plant growing to a height of about 1 ft and bearing trailing stems which place it among the best plants for a hanging basket.
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.
Toxicity
Peperomia angulata like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated on leafandpaw.com. These plants are among the pet-friendly plants that are safe to grow in a home where there are children and pets.
Peperomia angulata Care Indoors
Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia angulata) thrives in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Peperomia angulata requires regular pruning to keep the plant neat, 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.
Watering
Watering Beetle Peperomia Plant involves completely drenching the soil during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches 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 but do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid leaf drop.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead in root-rot and death of the plant. Read more on how to water indoor plants the right way.
Light Requirements
Beetle Peperomia Plant grows best in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light). Keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves.
Too little light will result in a leggy plant. If the natural light is too low, consider investing in grow lights to supplement it. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and also prevent leggy growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Beetle Peperomia Plant requires an average warmth of 15-260C. Temperatures outside this range may cause reduced growth, wilting and leaf loss. Keep it away from drafts as they may result in stunted growth and leaf drop.
Beetle Peperomia Plant thrives in a humidity of 60-70%. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity. You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium as high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium. Learn more on how to raise humidity for indoor plants.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest and disease infestation. Make sure that there is good ventilation to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Beetle Peperomia Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing period. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Potting Medium
The best potting mix for Beetle Peperomia should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting soils are ideal for the plant.
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. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Beetle Peperomia Plant involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant 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, cutback 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 inches 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.
Related: How to Propagate Radiator Plants (4 Easy Methods of Peperomia Propagation)
Peperomia angulata Problems with Solutions
Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia angulata) problems include dropping leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, leggy stems, brown and crispy leaves, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
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. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the disease.
Diseases
Beetle Peperomia is also prone to leaf spot and leaf viral diseases. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for these diseases.
Pests
Common pests in Beetle Peperomia are aphids and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
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. Place the the plant in a warmer spot away from cold drafts and maintain an average temperature of 15-260C.
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 while allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Decrease watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Read more on 12 reasons why Peperomia is dropping leaves (leaves falling).
Drooping leaves
Beetle Peperomia Plant may droop leaves due to cultural faults like exposure to direct sunlight, underwatering, overwatering, extreme temperature, pests and diseases among others.
Read more on these 14 Reasons for Peperomia Drooping Leaves and How to Fix Them.
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. One possible reason is sudden changes in temperature due to drafts.
Keep the plant away from drafty windows, windy doors, hot vents, air conditioners and others to maintain an average warmth of 15-260C. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
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. A terrarium is also a good place to grow the plant as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
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. Cutback 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. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
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. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen or laundry area and other moist areas in the home.
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.
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