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?

No. Peperomia angulata like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated on leafandpaw.com.

How to care for Peperomia angulata indoors

To care for Peperomia angulata indoors, give it medium to bright indirect light, average warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Beetle Peperomia care 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 in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering as too much moisture can cause yellow and mushy leaves.

Significantly reduce watering in fall and winter 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.

Light Requirements

Beetle Peperomia Plant thrives 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 & 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.

Peperomia angulata prefers a humidity of 60-70%. Too low humidity will result in brown leaf tips and edges. Therefore, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a 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 in spring and summer.

Withhold feeding in fall and winter 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.

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 and 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 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.


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 plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

Peperomia angulata Problems & Solutions

Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia angulata) problems are yellow leaves, dropping leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Yellow leaves

Common causes of yellow leaves one Peperomia angulata are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, nutrients deficiency or too little light.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soilball to dry out completely. Do not water on a schedule.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Too little light: Place the plant in a brighter spot or use a grow light is the natural light is not adequate.

Dropping leaves

Dropping leaves on Peperomia angulata are due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, temperature stress, use of cold water among others.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Do not water on a schedule.

Soggy soil: Pot the plant in a pot with a drainage hole and loose, well-draining soil.

Insufficient light: Place the plant in medium to bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural light is not enough.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows among others to maintain an average warmth.

Use of cold water: Water the plant with water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock.

Check out these 12 reasons why Peperomia is dropping leaves and their solutions.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on Peperomia angulata are caused by direct sunlight, dry air, extreme temperatures, incorrect watering, pests infestations among others.

How to fix it

Direct sunlight: Keep the plant away from direct sunlight or use a sheer curtain to filter it out.

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or group the plants together to increase humidity.

Extreme temperatures: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, stoves, windy doors and windows among others.

Incorrect watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out and do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Do not water on a schedule.

Pests infestations: Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.

Take a look at these 14 causes of Peperomia drooping leaves and how to fix them.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges on Beetle Peperomia are due to cold drafts, dry air and salts buildup.

How to fix it

Remove all the damaged leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy.

Cold drafts: Keep the plant away from cold drafts emanating from windy doors, drafty windows, AC units among others.

Dry air: Set the pot on wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to raise humidity. You may grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other humid places in the home.

Salts buildup: Flush out the salts from the soil every 1-2 months by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes.

Diseases

Peperomia angulata is prone to the following two diseases:

1. Leaf spot disease which is promoted by overwet conditions. It presents as brown, soft leaf spots.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant and treat it with horticultural oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.


2. Avoid wetting the leaves during watering to minimize the disease infestation; water from the bottom instead.


3. Improve the air flow for the plant to discourage the disease.

2. Root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by rotting, yellow, lead drop and sudden collapse of the plant.

How to fix it

1. Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.


2. Trim the brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated on the label.


3. Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.


4. Do not water the plant immediately and keep it dry for 5-7 days before you can resume watering.


5. Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent the soil from getting soggy.


6. Cut down on watering in fall and winter as growth is slowed at this time; keep the soil slightly moist.

Pests

Common pests of Beetle Peperomia are spidermites, aphids and mealybugs.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.


3. Regularly, check between and underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Maintain the plant well pruned to discourage pest infestations.

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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