Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) Indoor Care, Propagation and Problems

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Botanical name: Peperomia argyreia
Synonmy name: Peperomia sandersii
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: Watermelon Peperomia, Watermelon Begonia

Description

Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) indoor care is easy as it requires bright light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, free-draining soil.

Watermelon Peperomia also called Watermelon Begonia is a compact upright bushy Peperomia plant which grows to a height of about 12 inches.

The slightly-fleshy, oval-shaped, green leaves are strikingly marked with curved silver stripes resembling the skin of a watermelon and hence the common names.

The stems are red-colored and the flowers are rat-tail flower-heads made up of green flowers on an upright spike.

Origin

Peperomia argyreia is native to the tropical rain forests of northern South America where it grows as an epiphyte on trees.

Is Watermelon Peperomia toxic?

Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to both humans and pets. The plant is safe to grow in the home.

Where to Buy

Watermelon Peperomia is a valuable addition to any plant collection. Buy Peperomia argyreia online from Etsy.

Peperomia argyreia Care Indoors

Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) grows best in bright light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, free-draining soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing period.

Peperomia argyreia 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.

Watering

Water Watermelon Peperomia liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.

Significantly decrease watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time.

Ensure the pot for Watermelon Peperomia 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.

Light Requirements

Watermelon Peperomia grows best in bright light away from direct sunlight. It can also grow under a grow light where the natural light is not adequate.

Too little light will result in a leggy plant as the plant tries to reach for the light source.

Keep the plant away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth within the range of 18-25⁰C is ideal for Watermelon Peperomia. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant.

Keep the plant away from draughts (drafts) as they can cause brown leaf tips and leaf drop.

Watermelon Peperomia can grow in average room humidity but it thrives in a high humidity environment. Too low humidity can cause the plant to develop brown leaf tips and edges.

To increase humidity, set pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

You can also grow the Watermelon Peperomia in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained.

Potting Soil

The best potting soil for Peperomia argyreia should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough.

Cactus and Succulents soil is ideal for the plant. Buy quality Cactus and Succulents Soil for Watermelon Peperomia from Etsy.

Fertilizer

Feed Watermelon Peperomia with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period for lush growth.

Withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.

Repotting

Repot Watermelon Peperomia during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound as it grows best when the roots are confined.

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 and the eventual death of the plant.

Pruning

Pruning Watermelon Peperomia involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.

Propagation

Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) propagation can be done at the beginning of the growing season from leaf cuttings or by plant division.

How to propagate Watermelon Peperomia 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 Watermelon Peperomia and ensure each leaf cutting has a petiole.

Allow sometime 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.

Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place until growth begins at the base of the cuttings leaf petiole. Allow enough time for substantial growth of the roots and new leaves before tranplanting.

Transfer the rooted cuttings to individual pots and place in a cool shaded place. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.

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

How to propagate Watermelon Peperomia by plant division

Water the Watermelon 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. Ensure that each section has adequate roots for faster establishment.

Pot these sections in individual pots and place in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges on the sections.

Allow the new Watermelon Peperomia to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

Peperomia argyreia Problems

Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) problems include drooping leaves, dropping leaves, brown, crispy leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, root-rot, pests among others. Continue reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Drooping leaves

Watermelon Peperomia drooping leaves are caused by many and varied reasons. Below are some reasons for drooping leaves.

One possible reason for drooping leaves in Watermelon Peperomia is exposure to direct sunlight.

Thoroughly water the plant immediately and it should recover. Move it to a more shaded spot or instal a light curtain to filter direct sunlight from reaching the leaves.

The second possible reason for drooping leaves in Watermelon Peperomia is overwatering which results in soggy soil.

To avoid getting soggy soil, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is loose and free-draining.

Also, reduce watering for the plant during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time.

The third possible reason for drooping leaves in Watermelon Peperomia is underwatering which implies that there is too little moisture in the soil.

As such, there is no water in the soil for the plant to take up to the leaves and other parts.

Thoroughly water the plant immediately and it should perk up. Thereafter, water it liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Watermelon Peperomia leaves may droop for other reasons. Read more on 14 reasons for Peperomia drooping leaves.

Dropping leaves

Watermelon Peperomia dropping leaves are caused by various reasons. We have below discussed some of the possible causes of dropping leaves in Watermelon Peperomia.

One possible cause of leaf drop in Watermelon Peperomia Plant is that the temperature is too low.

Move it to a warmer spot away from cold draughts and maintain an average room temperature. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant.

The second possible cause of Watermelon Peperomia dropping leaves 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.

Dull and lifeless leaves

Watermelon Peperomia dull and lifeless leaves are due to exposure of the plant to hot direct sunlight.

Watermelon Peperomia cannot tolerate hot direct sunlight. Protect it from hot direct sunlight by installing a light curtain to filter sunlight or move it to a shadier spot.

Leggy stems (growth)

Watermelon Peperomia leggy stems are due to low light. This is an attempt by the plant to reach the light source.

Cut back the leggy stems to rejuvenate growth and move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright, indirect light or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate lighting in the home.

Brown leaf tips and edges

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

One possible reason for Watermelon Peperomia brown leaf tips and edges 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 Watermelon Peperomia brown leaf tips and edges is too low humidity.

To raise humidity for the Watermelon Peperomia, set pot on a wet pebble tray. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

You can also grow the plant in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained in a terrarium.

Brown, crispy leaves

Brown, crispy leaves in Watermelon Peperomia are caused by too dry air (low humidity) as it prefers a humid environment.

Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity for the Watermelon Peperomia.

Watermelon Peperomia can also be grown in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained in a terrarium.

Wilted, discolored leaves, corky swellings under the leaves

Watermelon Peperomia wilted, discolored leaves with corky swellings under the leaves are an indication of root-rot disease.

Root-rot disease is brought about by soggy soil as a result of poor drainage of both the pot and the soil.

To prevent the soil from getting soggy, ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole.

Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the disease. Read on how to treat root-rot disease in houseplants.

Diseases

One more common disease in Watermelon Peperomia is leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the diseases.

Pests

Common pests in Watermelon Peperomia are spider mites, whiteflies, scale insects and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Read more on how to identify and control houseplants pests.