How to grow and care for Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) Indoors
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Botanical name: Peperomia obtusifolia
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: Pepper Face Plant, Pepper Face Plant, American Rubber Plant
Pepper Face Plant Description
Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) also called Baby Rubber Plant or American Rubber Plant is a compact upright growing Peperomia with cupped leathery leaves. At first glance, the Pepper Face Plant resembles a rubber plant and hence its common name 'Pepper Face Plant'.
The flowers in Pepper Face Plant are narrow spikes of white flowers which grow in a winding manner.
Pepper Face Plant is a popular houseplant and numerous cultivars have been developed including variegated ones.
Pepper Face Plant Origin
The Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) is an evergreen perennial that is native to the tropical rain forests in Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Buy beautiful and healthy Pepper Face Plants (Peperomia obtusifolia) from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) Care Indoors
Pepper Face Plant Light Requirements
Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) grows best in bright light away from direct sunshine but it can tolerate medium to low indirect light. It can also grow under a grow light where the natural light is not adequate.
Bright light is necessary for Pepper Face Plant to maintain the bright and intense color of the leaves.
Keep your Pepper Face Plant away from direct sunshine as it can lead to discoloration of the leaves. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
How to Water Pepper Face Plant
Water Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Reduce watering for your Pepper Face Plant during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Ensure the pot for your Pepper Face Plant has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead in root-rot disease.
Temperature for Pepper Face Plant
Average warmth between 18-250C is ideal for your Pepper Face Plant. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for these plants. If the temperatures are outside this range, they impact the growth of the plant negatively.
Protect your Pepper Face Plant from cold draughts as they can cause brown tips and leaf drop. Read more on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity for Pepper Face Plant
Average room humidity is adequate for your Pepper Face Plant. It has no need for high humidity.
Fertilizer (Feeding) for Pepper Face Plant
Feed Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period.
Withhold feeding for your Pepper Face Plant during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn. Learn more on how to feed houseplants.
How to Repot Pepper Face Plant
Repot Pepper Face Plant during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound. However, you can refresh the soil at the beginning of the growing season if not repotting.
Use a pot one size larger for repotting your Pepper Face Plant as it grows slowly and ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
A shallow rather than deep pot is preferable as your Pepper Face Plant has a small root system.
Pepper Face Plant Soil
The best soil for Pepper Face Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for Pepper Face Plant.
How to Prune Pepper Face Plant
Pruning Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain your plant neat and tidy.
To encourage a bushy compact growth and to control growth for your Pepper Face Plant, regularly pinch off the growing tips.
How to propagate Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) can be propagated in 2 ways; from leaf cuttings or from stem-tip cuttings
1. How to Propagate Pepper Face Plant from leaf cuttings
Pepper Face Plant leaf cuttings root easily, therefore there is no need for a rooting hormone. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Pepper Face Plant and ensure each leaf cutting has a petiole.
Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of your Pepper Face Plant leaf cuttings to prevent rotting.
Once callused, place the leaf cuttings in a jar of clean plain water or in a propagation station and change the water every 5-7 days.
Place in 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 in moist, free-draining soil and place in a warm, shaded place. For a fuller Pepper Face Plant, plant several plants in one pot.
Maintain the soil moist until the new Pepper Face Plants are well established after which routine care can begin.
2. How to propagate Pepper Face Plant from stem-tip cuttings
Pepper Face Plant 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 Pepper Face Plant and ensure each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves.
Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of your Pepper Face Plant cuttings to prevent rotting.
Once callused, insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining soil and place the set up in warm, shaded place.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and there is substantial growth on the cuttings.
Transfer the rooted stem cuttings to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller Pepper Face Plant, plant several cuttings in one pot.
Photo Credit: Little Prince Plants
Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) Problems Indoors
Pepper Face Plant brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Pepper Face Plant are due to sudden drop in temperature from cold draughts.
Remove all the damaged leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy. Protect the plant away from cold draughts and maintain an average warmth.
Pepper Face Plant dropping leaves
There are many and varied causes of dropping leaves in Pepper Face Plant. One possible cause of dropping leaves in your Pepper Face Plant is temperature is too low.
Move the plant to a warmer spot away from cold draughts and maintain an average room temperature.
The second possible cause of dropping leaves in Pepper Face Plant 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).
Pepper Face Plant wilting and loss of leaves
Wilting and loss of leaves in Pepper Face Plant is an indication of soggy soil and or overwatering.
Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Also, ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil.
Pepper Face Plant dull and lifeless leaves
Dull and lifeless leaves in Pepper Face Plant is due exposure to hot direct sunlight. Protect the plant from hot direct sunlight or move it to a shaded spot.
Pepper Face Plant diseases
Pepper Face Plant diseases; leaf spot disease and root-rot disease. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the disease.
Pepper Face Plant pests
Pepper Face Plant pests; spider mites, whiteflies and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the pests.
Is Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) toxic?
Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to both humans and pets. The plant is safe to grow in the home.
