How to Grow and Care for Ruby Glow Peperomia (Peperomia graveolens) Indoors
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Botanical name: Peperomia graveolens
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: Ruby Glow Peperomia, Ruby Peperomia
Description
Ruby Glow Peperomia (Peperomia graveolens) also called Ruby Peperomia is a perennial succulent plant which bears gleaming red stems in wine red color and the leaves are succulent with a wine red shade.
The upper part of the leaf has a transparent v-shaped ‘window’ which allows light to pass through to the photosynthetic tissues where photosynthesis takes place.
Photosynthesis is the process through which plants make food needed for energy and growth.
Flower
The flowers in Ruby Peperomia are borne on the long stems but are rather tiny. They are in the shade of yellowish-white and they have a faint unpleasant odor if you get your nose close enough.
The name “graveolens” means bad smelling because of the flowers scent which is like the smell of mice urine.
Origin
Peperomia graveolens is a rare Peperomia that is endemic to Ecuador.
Where to Buy
Various sizes of Ruby Peperomia are readily available online at Etsy. Buy Ruby Glow Peperomia (Peperomia graveolens) from Etsy.
Photo Credit: My Home Nature
Peperomia graveolens Care Indoors
Wax Privet Peperomia (Peperomia graveolens) 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.
Ruby Peperomia requires regular pruning to keep it neat, to encourage a bushy compact growth and 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
Ruby Glow Peperomia grows best in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.
Too little light for Ruby Peperomia will result in a leggy plant and loss of leaf color.
Where natural lighting is not adequate, you can use a grow light to supplement it.
Watering
Water Ruby Glow 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 has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
Temperature
Average warmth between 15-240C is ideal for Ruby Glow Peperomia. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant.
If the temperatures are outside this range, they impact the growth of the plant negatively. Protect the Ruby Peperomia from cold draughts as they can cause leaf drop.
Humidity
Ruby Glow Peperomia thrives in a high humidity environment. To raise humidity, set pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a brightly lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home.
You can also grow Ruby Peperomia in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Ruby Glow Peperomia with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing period for lush growth.
To prevent fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant, do not feed it in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
Repotting
Repot Ruby Glow 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 ascertain 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 Ruby Glow Peperomia 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.
Ruby Peperomia is prone to root-rot if the soil gets soggy (retains too much water), therefore, Cactus and Succulents Soil is ideal for this plant as it drains easily. Buy Cactus and Succulents Soil for Ruby Glow Peperomia online from Etsy.
Pruning
Pruning Ruby Glow Peperomia involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.
To encourage a bushy, compact growth of the plant, regularly pinch off the growing tips.
Ruby Peperomia becomes straggly as it ages, therefore, cut back the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Ruby Glow Peperomia (Peperomia graveolens) propagation can be done from seeds, leaf and stem-tip cuttings or by plant division.
How to propagate Ruby Glow Peperomia from seeds
Sow the Ruby Glow Peperomia seeds at the beginning of the growing season in moist, well-drained soil.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight and maintain the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
Once germinated, maintain the soil moist until the new Ruby Glow Peperomia plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Ruby Glow 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 Ruby Peperomia 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 or in a propagation station 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.
Transfer the rooted cuttings to individual pots and place in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
For a fuller plant, transfer several plants into one pot.
Maintain the soil moist until the new Ruby Glow Peperomia are well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Ruby Glow Peperomia 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 Ruby Peperomia and ensure each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves.
Allow sometime for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the cuttings to prevent rotting.
Insert the cuttings in moist rooting soil and place in warm well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth has been observed.
Transfer the rooted stem cuttings to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.
How to propagate Ruby Glow Peperomia by plant division
Water the Ruby Glow Peperomia thoroughly at least 1 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 out the plant from its pot and divide it into several sections and ensure each section has adequate roots.
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 sections.
Allow the new Ruby Glow Peperomia to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Peperomia graveolens Problems Indoors
Ruby Glow Peperomia (Peperomia graveolens) problems indoors include dropping leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, shrivelled leaves, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Dropping leaves
There are many and varied causes of dropping leaves in Ruby Glow Peperomia. One possible cause of dropping leaves is too low temperature.
Move the Ruby Peperomia to a warmer spot away from cold draughts and maintain an average room temperature.
The second possible cause of dropping leaves in Ruby Glow Peperomia is the plant has been underwatered causing the foliage to wilt.
Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings but reduce watering during the cold season.
Here is an outline on 12 reasons why Peperomia is dropping leaves (with solutions).
Brown, shrivelled leaves
Brown and shrivelled leaves in Ruby Glow Peperomia are due to too dry air as it prefers a humid environment.
Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
You can also grow the plant in a terrarium where a high humidity can be maintained.
Dry and shrivelled leaves
Dry and shrivelled leaves in Ruby Glow Peperomia are caused by excess soluble salts in the soil from the water or excess feeding.
Occasionally 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 (growth)
Leggy stems in Ruby Glow Peperomia are due to low light as it grows best in bright light to light shade.
Cut back the stems to rejuvenate growth and move the Ruby Glow Peperomia to a brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright, indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Ruby Glow Peperomia are due to sudden drop in temperature from cold draughts. Remove all the damaged leaves and keep the plant away from cold draughts to maintain average room warmth.
Wilted and discolored leaves and corky swellings under the leaves
Wilted and discolored leaves and corky swellings under the leaves in Ruby Glow Peperomia are due to soggy soil.
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
The other common disease in Ruby Glow Peperomia is leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the disease.
Pests
Ruby Glow Peperomia is prone to pests like 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.
Is Ruby Glow Peperomia toxic?
Ruby Glow Peperomia (Peperomia graveolens) like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe to grow indoors.
