How to grow and care for Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant Indoors

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Houseplant, Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant

Botanical name: Peperomia graveolens
Family: Piperaceae

Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant also called Ruby Peperomia is a perennial succulent plant which bears gleaming red stems in wine red color. The leaves are succulent with a wine red shade. The upper part of the plant has a transparent v-shaped ‘window’ which allows for photosynthesis to occur. The flowers 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.

How to Grow Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant (Peperomia graveolens)

Light

Ruby Glow 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 Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to slightly 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 15-24⁰C is ideal for Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant. Protect the plant from cold draughts as the cause leaf drop. Learn more on temperature for houseplants.

Humidity

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

Feeding

Feed Ruby Glow 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 Ruby Glow 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 Ruby Glow 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 Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant (Peperomia graveolens)

Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant can be propagated from seeds, leaf and stem-tip cuttings or by division.

Propagating Ruby Glow Peperomia Plants from seeds
Sow Ruby Glow Peperomia Plants seeds at the beginning of the growing season in moist soil. Place the set up in a warm shaded place. Maintain the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Once germinated, move the set up to a cool shaded place and maintain the soil moist until the plants are well established.

Propagating Ruby Glow Peperomia Plants from leaf cuttings
Leaf cuttings root easily, there is no need for a rooting hormone. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Ruby Glow 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 Ruby Glow Peperomia Plants from stem-tip cuttings
Stem-tip cuttings root easily, there is no need for a rooting hormone. Take stem-tip cuttings of about 4-5 in. length from a healthy Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant. Ensure each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves. Allow sometime for the formation of a protective callous tissue over the cuts. 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 Ruby Glow Peperomia Plants by division
Take out the Ruby Glow 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 Ruby Glow Peperomia Plants to be well established before transplanting.

Common Problems in Growing Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant (Peperomia graveolens)

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges in Ruby Glow 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 Ruby Glow 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 Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant is too dry air. Ruby Glow Peperomia Plant prefers a humid environment. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Ruby Glow 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 Ruby Glow 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.