Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) Care, Propagation and Common Problems
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Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) flourishes in bright light, moderate warmth, humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Peperomia obtusifolia also called Baby Rubber Plant or American Rubber Plant is one of the popular Peperomia varieties and bears cupped leathery leaves which resembles a rubber plant and hence its common name 'Baby Rubber Plant'.
American Rubber Plant is a compact, upright-growing, hardy plant that will thrive even when the growing conditions are less than perfect. It does not require too frequent watering but needs bright light away from direct sunshine.
Baby Rubber Plant is a popular plant and numerous cultivars have been developed including variegated ones. The flowers insignificant, narrow spikes of white flowers which grow in a winding manner.
Botanical name: Peperomia obtusifolia
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: Pepper Face Plant, Baby Rubber Plant, American Rubber Plant
Origin
Peperomia obtusifolia is an evergreen, perennial plant that is native to the tropical rain forests in Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. It is one of the best tropical foliage plants for the home, office and other spaces.
Is Pepper Face Plant toxic?
Peperomia obtusifolia like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to both humans and pets. The plants are some of the pet-friendly plants that you may grow in the home.
Where to Buy
Baby Rubber Plants are a perfect addition to your collection. You may acquire these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Peperomia obtusifolia Care Indoors
Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) requires bright light away from direct sunshine, moderate warmth of 18-250C, average humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Peperomia obtusifolia requires regular pruning to keep it neat and minimize pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when the plant becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Pepper Face Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.
Reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead in root-rot and loss of the plant. Learn more on how to water indoor plants correctly.
Light Requirements
Pepper Face Plant grows best in bright light. Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to discoloration of the leaves. It can tolerate medium to low indirect light.
However, bright light is necessary to maintain the bright and intense color of the leaves especially for the variegated types.
If the natural lighting is not adequate, you may instal a grow light to supplement it. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and also prevent leggy growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 18-250C is ideal for 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. Keep the plant away from cold drafts as they can cause brown tips and leaf drop.
Average room humidity of 50-55% is adequate for Pepper Face Plant. It has no need for extra humidity. However, if the room temperatures are very high, consider raising the room humidity. High temperatures cause the air to become too dry. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Check out these techniques on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Ensure that there is good air circulation to reduce fungal diseases.
Feeding
Feed Pepper Face Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period to promote a lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Potting 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. All purpose potting mixes are ideal for the plant.
Repotting
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 than the current one as it grows slowly and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid root-rot. A shallow rather than deep pot is preferable for Baby Rubber Plant as it has a small root system. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Peperomia obtusifolia involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. To encourage a bushy compact growth and to control growth, regularly pinch off the growing tips. You may use the stem tips to propagate new plants.
Propagation
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
The 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 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.
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, well-lit place away from direct sunlight. For a fuller plant, transfer several plants into one pot.
Maintain the soil moist until the new Baby Rubber Plants are well established after which routine care can begin.
2. How to propagate Pepper Face Plant 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 Baby Rubber Plant and ensure that each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves.
Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the cuttings to prevent rotting.
Once callused, insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining soil and place the set up in warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and there is substantial growth on the cuttings.
Transfer the rooted Baby Rubber Plant stem cuttings to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.
Related: How to Propagate Radiator Plants (4 Easy Methods of Peperomia Propagation)
Peperomia obtusifolia Problems
Pepper Face Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) problems include brown leaf tips, dropping leaves, drooping leaves, dull leaves, wilting, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.
Dropping leaves
There are many and varied causes of dropping leaves in Pepper Face Plant. One possible cause of dropping leaves is too low temperature. Move the plant to a warmer spot away from cold drafts and maintain an average warmth of 18-250C.
The second possible cause of dropping leaves in Baby Rubber 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. Decrease watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Related: 12 reasons why Peperomia is dropping leaves with solutions
Drooping leaves
Pepper Face Plant leaves may be drooping due to many and varied reasons. One possible reason is exposure to direct sunlight. Thoroughly water the plant immediately and it should recover. Move it to a more shadier spot or instal a light curtain to filter direct sunlight from reaching the leaves.
The second possible reason for drooping leaves in Baby Rubber Plant is overwatering which results in soggy soil. To avoid getting soggy soil, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is loose and free-draining. Reduce watering the plant during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time.
The third possible reason for drooping leaves in Pepper Face Plant is underwatering which implies that there is too little moisture in the soil. As such, there is no water in the soil for the plant to take up to the leaves and other parts.
Immediately water the plant thoroughly and it should perk up. Thereafter, water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Related: 14 reasons why Peperomia leaves are drooping and how to fix them
Diseases
Pepper Face Plant diseases include leaf spot disease and root-rot disease. Isolate the affected plant and treat it with neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
Pests
Pepper Face Plant is prone to spider mites, whiteflies, scale insects and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants. Treat it with insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Pepper Face Plant are due to sudden drop in temperature from cold drafts. Remove all the damaged leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy. Keep it away from cold drafts and maintain an average warmth of 18-250C. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
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 and maintain moderately moist soil. Also, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil.
Dull and lifeless leaves
Dull and lifeless leaves in Pepper Face Plant are due exposure to hot direct sunlight. Protect the plant from hot direct sunlight or move it to a more shaded spot.
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