How to Grow and Care for Peperomia Ginny (Peperomia clusiifolia) Indoors
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Botanical name: Peperomia clusiifolia
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: Peperomia Ginny, Peperomia Jelly, Peperomia Red-edge, Peperomia Tricolor
Description
Peperomia Ginny (Peperomia clusiifolia) also called Peperomia Jelly, Peperomia Red-edge or Peperomia Tricolor is a herbaceous plant which bears fleshy oval-shaped leaves that are pointed at the tips.
The fleshy leaves are often light green with darker green coloring in the center and red or pink edges.
The leaves feel like jelly to the touch and hence the common name, 'Peperomia Jelly'.
Peperomia Jelly is ideal for a hanging basket where the trailing stems can cascade beautifully down the sides of the pot.
The leaf shape and growth pattern of Peperomia Red-edge highly resemble those of Peperomia obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant).
Origin
Peperomia clusiifolia (Peperomia Ginny) is native to the West Indies and Mexico.
Where to Buy
Peperomia Red-edge in various sizes is readily available online at Etsy. Buy Peperomia Ginny (Peperomia clusiifolia) from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Osera
Peperomia clusiifolia Care Indoors
Peperomia Ginny (Peperomia clusiifolia) thrives in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Peperomia clusiifolia requires regular pruning to keep the plant neat, to encourage a bushy compact 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
Peperomia Ginny grows best in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlightit can lead to scorching of the leaves.
Too little light for Peperomia Jelly will result in leggy plants and loss of leaf color. Regularly, turn the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Peperomia Red-edge can also grow under a grow light where the natural light is insufficient.
Watering
Water Peperomia Ginny 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.
Ascertain 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
Average warmth between 15-260C is ideal for Peperomia Ginny. Keep it away from cold draughts as they can cause leaf drop.
Humidity
Peperomia Ginny thrives in a high humidity environment. Set pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
You can also grow Peperomia Jelly in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Peperomia Ginny with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing period to promote a lush growth.
Growth is reduced during the cold season, therefore, do not feed it as it can lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Repotting
Repot Peperomia Ginny Plant 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 make sure 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 Peperomia Ginny should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant. Buy quality Potting Mix for Peperomia Red-edge online from Etsy.
Pruning
Pruning Peperomia Ginny involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy and also minimize pest and disaese infestations.
As it ages, it becomes straggly therefore, cut back the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Peperomia Ginny (Peperomia clusiifolia) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from leaf-cuttings, stem-cuttings or by division.
How to propagate Peperomia Ginny 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 Peperomia Ginny 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.
Position the set up in 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.
Transfer the rooted cuttings to individual pots and place in a warm, well-lit place. For a fuller plant, transfer several plants in one pot.
Maintain the soil moist until the new Peperomia Red-edge are well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Peperomia Ginny from stem-tip 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 Peperomia Ginny Plant and ensure each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves.
Insert the cuttings in moist rooting soil and place in warm shaded place.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth has been observed.
Transfer the rooted Peperomia Red-edge stem cuttings to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings in one pot.
How to propagate Peperomia Ginny by plant division
Water the Peperomia Ginny thoroughly at least one day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment as 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.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges on the plant sections.
Allow the new Peperomia Jelly to be well established before transplanting after which routine care can begin.
Photo Credit: Hortology
Peperomia clusiifolia Problems Indoors
Peperomia Ginny (Peperomia clusiifolia) problems indoors include drooping leaves, leaf drop, brown leaf tips and edges, shrivelled leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep on reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Dropping leaves
Peperomia Ginny dropping leaves (leaves falling) is due to many and varied reasons. One possible reason is too low temperature.
Move the Peperomia Jelly to a warmer spot away from cold draughts and maintain an average room temperature.
The second possible reason for Peperomia Red-edge 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 Peperomia Ginny are are caused by two possible reasons. Remove all the damaged leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy.
One possible reason for Peperomia Jelly 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 Peperomia Red-edge brown leaf tips and edges is too low humidity.
To increase humidity, set pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
You can also grow the Peperomia Red-edge in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained in a terrarium.
Brown, shrivelled leaves
The cause of brown and shrivelled leaves in Peperomia Ginny Plant is too dry air as it prefers a humid environment.
Set pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity for the plant.
Peperomia Red-edge can also be grown in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained in a terrarium.
Dry and shrivelled leaves
Excess soluble salts in the soil from the water or excess feeding will cause dry shrivelled leaves in Peperomia Ginny.
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
Leggy stems in Peperomia Ginny are due to low light. Cut back the stems to rejuvenate growth and encourage a bushy compact growth.
Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright, indirect light or instal a grow light if you do have adeqaute lighting in your home.
Wilted, discolored leaves, corky swellings under the leaves
Soggy soil for Peperomia Ginny 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 on how to treat root-rot disease in houseplants.
Diseases
Another commom disease in Peperomia Ginny is leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the disease.
Pests
Common pests in Peperomia Ginny are spider mites, whiteflies, scale insects and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it with Neem oil or Insecticidal soap.
Is Peperomia Ginny toxic?
Peperomia Ginny (Peperomia clusiifolia) like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe to grow indoors.
