Botanical name: Peperomia clusiifolia
Family: Piperaceae
Jelly Peperomia also called Ginny Peperomia, Red-edge Peperomia 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. Jelly Peperomia is native to the West Indies and Mexico. This plant is ideal for a hanging basket where the trailing stems can cascade beautifully. The leaf shape and growth pattern of Jelly Peperomia highly resemble those of Peperomia obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant).
Jelly Peperomia prefers bright light to light shade. It will also thrive under flourescent light. Too little light will result in leggy plants and loss of leaf color. Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves. Learn how to ensure your plant receives the correct light in this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Water Jelly Peperomia liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Significantly reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist. Avoid overwatering as it can lead in root-rot. Learn more on how to water houseplants.
Average warmth between 15-260C is ideal for Jelly Peperomia. Protect the plant from cold draughts as the cause leaf drop. Learn more on temperature for houseplants.
Jelly Peperomia thrives in a high humidity environment. Set pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity.
Feed Jelly Peperomia with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing period. Withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn. Learn more on feeding houseplants.
Repot Jelly Peperomia during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound. Use a rich, free-draining soil and a pot one size larger. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole(s) to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot.
Pruning Jelly Peperomia involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy. As the plants age, they become straggly. Cut back the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth. Learn more on how to prune houseplants.
Jelly Peperomia can be propagated from leaf-cuttings, stem-cuttings or by division.
Propagating Jelly Peperomias from leaf cuttings
Leaf cuttings root easily, there is no need for a rooting hormone. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Jelly Peperomia. Ensure each leaf cutting has a petiole. Allow sometime for the formation of a protective callous tissue over the cuts. Place the leaf cuttings in a jar of clean plain water and change the water every 7-10 days. Place in warm shaded place until growth begins at the base of the petiole. Allow for substantial growth of the roots and new leaves. Transfer to individual pots and place in a cool shaded place. Maintain the soil moist until the plant is well established. For a fuller plant, plant several plants in one pot.
Propagating Jelly Peperomia from stem cuttings
Stem-tip cuttings root easily, there is no need for a rooting hormone. Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 in. length from a healthy Jelly Peperomia. Ensure each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves. Insert the cuttings in moist rooting soil. Place in warm shaded place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth has been observed. Transfer to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller plant plant several cuttings in one pot.
Propagating Jelly Peperomias by division
Take out the Jelly Peperomia from its pot and divide it into several sections. Pot up these sections in individual pots. Place in a cool shaded place. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. Allow the new Jelly Peperomias to be well established before transplanting.
Brown leaf tips and edges in Jelly Peperomia are due to sudden drop in temperature from cold draughts. Remove all the damaged leaves and keep plants away from cold draughts.
There are two causes of sudden loss of leaves in Jelly Peperomia. Either temperature is too low; move to a warmer spot or the plant has been underwatered causing the foliage to wilt.
The cause of brown and shrivelled leaves in Jelly Peperomia is too dry air. Jelly Peperomia prefers a humid environment. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Jelly Peperomia can also be grown in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained.
Excess soluble salts in the soil from the water or excess feeding will cause dry shrivelled leaves in Jelly Peperomia; flush out the salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes. Repeat several times.
Leggy stems in Jelly Peperomia are due to low light. Cut back the stems to rejuvenate growth and move the plant to a brighter spot.
Waterlogging of Jelly Peperomia is the cause of these. This is an indication of Root-rot disease.
Common diseases in Jelly Peperomias are Leaf Spot disease and Leaf Viral Diseases.
Common pests in Jelly Peperomias are Aphids and Mealy Bugs.
Jelly Peperomia (Peperomia clusiifolia) are non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe to grow indoors.
The Tradescantia group of plants are one of the most popular and easy to grow indoors. This group of plants exhibits varied colors, leaf shape, texture and growth habits. Majority of them are perfect for a hanging basket and it is not unusual to find at least one in the home. Read more »
Sometimes pets can decide to chew or play with houseplants. While it is a good idea to keep houseplants out of the reach of pets, it is very important to grow houseplants that are non-toxic to pets. Here are some pet safe houseplants. Read more »
Ornamental Asparagus Plants are popular houseplants on account of their ease to grow. These plants easily adapt to wide variations in light, heat and frequency of watering. Some of these plants have needle-like "leaves" which give them a ferny appearance. Read more »
Most Peperomia plants are perfect indoor plants as they easily adapt to indoor growing conditions. Read more »
Apart from adding beauty, live houseplants are beneficial to us in many ways. Some of these are quite interesting. Read more »
These ten beautiful houseplants have been found to be effective in removing indoor air pollutants. Here are some. Read more »
These houseplants are easy to care for which means they are suitable for you if you are just starting out with growing houseplants. Read more »
These houseplants are suitable for the forgetful, a beginner or one who has limited time to take care of their houseplants. Read more »
Let not space limit you in greening your living spaces. These small houseplants are perfect to additions for such spaces. Read more »
Hanging baskets are one beautiful way of maximizing on the vertical space. These easy to grow houseplants are excellent for hanging. Read more »
Even for the poorly lit spaces, these houseplants will adapt very well to the low light conditions and continue to brighten up such spaces. Read more »
Do not let yourself be surrounded by dull plain walls while you are working. Bring some green in and break the monotony of... Read more »