How to grow and care for Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant Indoors

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Botanical name: Peperomia glabella
Family: Piperaceae

Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant also called Cypress Peperomia is a small plant with beautiful oval leaves and red stems. The foliage is fleshy and often has variegation. The flowers are small and insignificant. The oval leaves can be a darker or a lighter green, depending on the amount of light the plant receives. Likewise, the petioles and stems vary from pink to red depending on the amount of light. The plant is hardy, and fast growing, and will spread or trail. It makes an ideal desk plant on account of its small size. Peperomia glabella is native to the West Indies and a large part of South America, where it can be found growing epiphytically on trees or terrestrially creeping on the ground.

How to Grow Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant (Peperomia glabella)

Light

Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant prefers bright to semi-shade (partial shade). It will also thrive under flourescent light. Too little light will result in leggy plants. 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant. Protect the plant from cold draughts as the cause leaf drop. Learn more on temperature for houseplants.

Humidity

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

Feeding

Feed Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy. To encourage a bushy, compact growth, regularly pinch off the growing tips. 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant (Peperomia glabella)

Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant can be propagated from leaf or by division.

Propagating Wax Rivet Peperomia Plants from leaf cuttings
Leaf cuttings root easily, there is no need for a rooting hormone. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant. 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plants by division
Take out the Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plants to be well established before transplanting.

Common Problems in Growing Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant (Peperomia glabella)

• Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges in Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant. 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant is too dry air. Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant prefers a humid environment. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant; 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant 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 Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant is the cause of these. This is an indication of Root-rot disease.

• Diseases

Common diseases in Wax Rivet Peperomia Plants are Leaf Spot disease and Leaf Viral Diseases.

• Pests

Common pests in Wax Rivet Peperomia Plants are Aphids and Mealy Bugs.

Toxicity

Wax Rivet Peperomia Plant (Peperomia glabella) are non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe to grow indoors.

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