How to grow and care for Jelly Peperomia Indoors

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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).

How to Grow Jelly Peperomia (Peperomia clusiifolia)

Light

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

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.

Temperature

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.

Humidity

Jelly Peperomia thrives in a high humidity environment. Set pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity.

Feeding

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.

Repotting

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

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.

How to Propagate Jelly Peperomia (Peperomia clusiifolia)

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.

Common Problems in Growing Jelly Peperomia (Peperomia clusiifolia)

• Brown leaf tips and edges

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.

• Sudden loss of leaves

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.

• Brown, shrivelled leaves

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.

• Dry and shrivelled leaves

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

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.

• Leaves wilted and discolored. Corky swellings under leaves

Waterlogging of Jelly Peperomia is the cause of these. This is an indication of Root-rot disease.

• Diseases

Common diseases in Jelly Peperomias are Leaf Spot disease and Leaf Viral Diseases.

• Pests

Common pests in Jelly Peperomias are Aphids and Mealy Bugs.

Toxicity

Jelly Peperomia (Peperomia clusiifolia) are non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe to grow indoors.

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