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 is a great choice for beginners and experienced plant owners alike. This guide will cover everything you need to know about growing and maintaining Beetle Peperomia indoors, including light, water, soil, propagation, and troubleshooting tips.

First lets get some facts about this versatile plant. 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.

Is Peperomia Angulata toxic to pets?

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. Avoid overwatering, too much moisture can cause yellow and mushy leaves.

Significantly reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wrinkling and 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, brown patches on the leaves.

Too little light will result in a leggy plant, with stretched-out stems. If the natural light is too low, consider investing in grow lights to supplement it.

Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for balanced growth and also prevent leggy growth.

Temperature and Humidity

Beetle Peperomia Plant requires an average warmth of 15-26⁰C. Keep it away from drafts as temperatures outside this range may cause reduced growth, wilting and leaf loss.

Beetle Peperomia Plant thrives in a humidity of 60-70%. Too low humidity will result in brown leaf tips and edges. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to uplift humidity. Make sure that there is good ventilation to minimize fungal diseases.

You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium as high humidity can be maintained in a terrarium. A well-lit bathroom, kitchen or laundry area are also great locations for this plant.

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. Avoid over-feeding, as excessive nutrients can cause leggy growth.

Dry, crispy leaves are an indication of an accumulation of salts and chemicals in the soil. Flush them out every 1-2 months by running of stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole. Let it run for about 5-10 minutes.

Potting Medium

The best potting mix for Beetle Peperomia should be a rich, well-draining, lightweight soil mix 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 & Grooming

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.

Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest and disease infestation.

Propagation

Peperomia angulata (Beetle Peperomia Plant) propagation can be done at the beginning of the growing season from leaf-cuttings, stem-cuttings or by plant division.

1. Peperomia angulata propagation from leaf cuttings in water

Leaf cuttings root easily, therefore there is no need for a rooting hormone.

1. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy plant and ensure each leaf cutting has a petiole.


2. Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the leaf cuttings to prevent rotting.


3. Place the leaf cuttings in a jar of clean plain water and change the water every 5-7 days. Ensure the petiole is submerged in water and the back of the leaf is touching the water.


4. Position the set up in warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight until growth begins at the base of the cuttings leaf petiole.


5. Allow enough time for substantial growth of the roots and new leaves before transplanting the new plants.


6. Transfer the rooted cuttings to individual pots and place in a warm, well-lit place. For a fuller plant, transfer several plants into one pot.


7. Maintain the soil moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.

2. Peperomia angulata propagation from stem cuttings in soil

The stem-tip cuttings root easily, therefore, there is no need for a rooting hormone.

1. Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 inches length from a healthy plant and ensure each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves and 2 leaf nodes.


2. Remove the bottom leaves, leaving only the top ones.


3. Insert the cuttings in moist rooting soil and place in a warm, well-lit place.


4. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. Roots will develop in 2–4 weeks.


5. Once there is substantial growth, transfer the rooted cuttings to individual pots after which you can begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.

3. Peperomia angulata propagation by plant division

1. Water the plant 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.


2. Remove the plant from of its pot and with a sharp clean knife or pruning scissors, divide it into several sections.


3. Pot these sections in individual pots and place in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid killing the plants.


4. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges on the plant sections.


5. 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) common problems include yellow leaves, 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.

Yellow leaves

Common causes of yellow leaves in Peperomia angulata are overwatering and soggy soil. Do not water on a schedule. Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out. In addition use a pot with a drainage hole and soil that is well-drained to pot your plant.

Dropping leaves

Dropping leaves (leaves falling) in Peperomia angulata is caused by 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 dropping leaves in Beetle Peperomia is that the plant has been underwatered. 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.

Check out these 12 reasons why Peperomia is dropping leaves (leaves falling).

Drooping leaves

Peperomia angulata leaves may droop due to cultural faults like exposure to direct sunlight, underwatering, overwatering, extreme temperature, pests and diseases among others.

Take a look at these 14 reasons for Peperomia drooping leaves and how to fix them.

Wilted, discolored leaves, corky swellings under the leaves

Wilted and discolored leaves and corky swellings under the leaves in Beetle Peperomia Plant are an indication of root-rot which is enhanced by soggy soil.

Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to the rest of the plants. Remove the plant from its pot, trim black, mushy roots, and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated on the label.

Repot the plant in fresh soil. Use free-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole. Avoid overwatering in the future; water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out.

Diseases

Peperomia angulata is also prone to leaf spot and leaf viral diseases. Isolate the affected plant to protect the other plants.

Pests

Common pests in Beetle Peperomia are spidermites, aphids and mealybugs. Isolate the affected plant and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Remove all the damaged leaves to keep the plant neat. Brown leaf tips and edges in Peperomia angulata are caused by two possible reasons. 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 Peperomia angulata 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 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. 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 Peperomia angulata. 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.

Conclusion

Peperomia Angulata (Beetle Peperomia Plant) is a low-maintenance, compact, and visually appealing houseplant. Whether displayed in a hanging basket, terrarium, or tabletop pot, this plant thrives with minimal effort. By following proper watering, lighting, and propagation techniques, you can enjoy a healthy and thriving Peperomia Angulata.

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