Teardrop Peperomia orba Plant Care, Common Issues and Remedies
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Teardrop Peperomia (Peperomia orba) prospers in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Teardrop Peperomia orba is a compact, easy-care plant which easily adapts to indoor growing conditions. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about caring for Peperomia Teardrop, including watering tips, ideal light conditions, propagation methods, and solutions to common problems. First, let us look at some facts about this plant.
Peperomia orba Plant is among the popular Peperomia varieties and bears delicate, fleshy, dark-green, oval-shaped leaves and hence the common name, 'teardrop'.
As the plant matures, a white line appears down the center of the waxy leaves. The fleshy, red, trailing stems place this plant among the best plants for a hanging basket, tabletop, desktop or plant shelf.
Botanical name: Peperomia orba
Family: Piperaceae
Common name: Teardrop Peperomia, Teardrop Plant, Teardrop Peperomia orba, Peperomia Teardrop Plant
Origin
Tear Peperomia orba is native to Central and South America.
How big do Teardrop Peperomia get?
Teardrop Peperomia is a semi-succulent, slow growing, compact plant which grows to a height of about 6 inches making it one of the best plants for the limited spaces in the home or office.
Flower
Teardrop Peperomia flowers are unremarkable, rat-tail flower-heads above the foliage made up of greeninsh flowers on an upright spike. The plant may not flower when grown indoors.
Varieties
Peperomia orba has many types (cultivars) which include:
- Peperomia orba 'Pixie': This is the most popular variety. It features stunning cream and green variegated leaves. This variety is a compact cultivar, rarely exceeding 8 inches in height.
- Peperomia orba 'Pixie Lime': This is a bright, eye-catching variety with lime-green margins and darker green centers.
- Peperomia orba 'Teardrop': This is the classic green form with solid, glossy leaves. It is slightly more tolerant of lower light conditions than variegated types.
Is Teardrop Peperomia toxic to pets?
Teardrop Peperomia like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to humans and pets as stated by Leaf and Paw website. They are non-toxic to cats and are placed among the pet-safe plants perfect for growing indoors.
How to Care for Teardrop Peperomia Indoors
To care for Teardrop Peperomia Plant indoors, give it medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 60-75% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Peperomia orba care requires regular pruning to keep it neat, minimize pest and disease infestations as well as encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is only needed when the plant becomes extremely pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water a Teardrop Plant?
Do not water your Teardrop Plant on a schedule to avoid either overwatering or underwatering, both of which will affect growth adversely.
Water your Teardrop Peperomia Plant liberally in spring and summer and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist but not soggy to avoid yellowing leaves and rotting stems.
Reduce watering in fall and winter to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely as it may lead to wilting and drooping leaves.
Use tepid (room temperature) water to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf drop. Only use chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging as it can result in root-rot.
Take care not to wet the foliage as it can increase occurence of leaf spot disease. You may water the plant from the bottom instead.
Light Requirements
How much light does a Teardrop Peperomia need?
Teardrop Peperomia Plant grows best in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light). Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can cause scorching and drooping leaves.
Too little light may result in leggy plants and yellow leaves therefore ensure it receives adequate light. If the natural light in your home is not adequate, instal a grow light to complement it.
Rotate the pot every so often to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth as well as prevent legginess.
Temperature & Humidity
Teardrop Peperomia orba prefers a warmth of 15-260C. Keep it away from sources of drafts like drafty windows, windy doors, AC units, hot air vents and others as they can cause extreme temperatures which can lead to reduced growth, wilting, curling, yellowing and leaf drop.
Peperomia orba Plant thrives in a humidity of 60-75%. Too low humidity will result in brown leaf tips and edges. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, laundry area and other moist areas. Maintain good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases infestations.
On account of its compact size and affinity for a warm, humid environment, Peperomia Teardrop Plant is one of the best plants for a closed terrarium as these conditions can be maintained inside a terrarium.
Fertilizer
Which is the best fertilizer for Peperomia orba?
Feed your Peperomia orba Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer for a lush growth. Too much fertilizer may result in leggy growth and yellowing.
Withhold feeding in fall and winter as growth is reduced and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn; wilting, drooping, yellowing leaves.
Occasionally, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole. Allow the water to flow for some time to clear as much salt as possible.
Potting Soil
What kind of soil does Teardrop Peperomia like?
The best soil for Teardrop Peperomia is a loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Being a semi-succulent plant, a cactus and succulents mix is the best choice for this plant.
Repotting
Repot your Teardrop Peperomia Plant during the growing season only when the plant is extremely pot-bound as it grows best when the roots are restricted.
Use a pot one size larger and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy which can lead to root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Peperomia orba Plant involves:
- Regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.
- Cutting back the leggy stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth as the plant becomes straggly with age.
Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
Propagation
Teardrop Peperomia propagation can be done in at the beginning of the growing season from leaf-cuttings, from stem-cuttings or by plant division. The cuttings root easily and there is no need for a rooting hormone.
Learn how to propagate Teardrop Peperomia Plant in 5 easy ways.
Teardrop Peperomia Plant Problems & Remedies
Peperomia orba (Teardrop Peperomia) common problems are yellow leaves, dropping leaves, curling leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, leggy stems, plant dying, brown leaf spots, pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Yellow leaves
Why are my Teardrop Peperomia leaves turning yellow?
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Teardrop Peperomia are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil and nutrients deficiency.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot or consider investing in grow lights.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in the growing period.
Dropping leaves
Why are my Teardrop Peperomia leaves falling off?
The leaves on your Teardrop Peperomia are falling due to too little light, temperature stress, dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil or aging.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if you do not have sufficient light in your home.
Temperature stress: Move the plant to a warmer spot away from sources of drafts to maintain a warmth of 15-260C.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out. Do not let the soil dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Aging: This is natural, as the plant matures, the old leaves to turn yellow and drop.
Take a look at these 12 reasons why Peperomia Plant is dropping leaves and solutions.
Curling leaves
What causes curling leaves on Teardrop Peperomia?
Curling leaves on Teardrop Peperomia are caused by underwatering, dry air, drafts or pest infestations.
How to fix it
Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Dry air: To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or grow the plant in a closed terrarium.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, heat sources, windy doors and windows among others.
Pests infestations: Inspect the plant for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves on Teardrop Peperomia Plant are caused by hot direct sunlight, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, extreme temperatures, nutrients deficiency, salts buildup, pests, diseases among others.
Check out these 14 reasons Peperomia Plant leaves are drooping and their fixes.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Teardrop Peperomia are due to drafts, dry air or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Remove all the damaged leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts to maintain a warmth of 15-260C.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to heighten humidity.
Salts buildup: Leach out excess salts regularly by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth on Teardrop Peperomia are due to too little light, inconsistent watering or nutrients deficiency.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once a month in the growing season.
Plant dying
Teardrop Peperomia is dying due to root-rot which is enhanced by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.
How to revive a dying Teardrop Peperomia?
- Slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.
- Trim brown-black mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh well-draining soil.
- Do not water the plant immediately and keep it dry for 5-7 days before you resume watering.
- To prevent root-rot in the future, use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil to avoid getting soggy soil.
- Minimize watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time; maintain the soil slightly moist.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spots on Teardrop Peperomia orba are an indication of leaf spot disease. The disease is is characterized by brown, moist spots on the leaves. In a serious attack the spots can enlarge and merge, killing the whole leaf.
How to fix it
- Remove and burn the affected parts to reduce the risk of spread to the rest of the plants.
- Isolate the affected plant and spray it with a systemic fungicide as directed by the manufacturer. Ensure to cover all the parts completely.
- Keep the plant on the dry side and avoid wetting the foliage during watering and water from the bottom instead.
- Maintain good air flow for the plant to discourage the disease infestation.
Pests
Teardrop Peperomia is prone to spider mites, whiteflies, scale insects and mealybugs infestations. These pests are common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the affected plant with insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Regularly check underneath and betweens the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to increase humidity to reduce the pests infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Teardrop Peperomia a succulent?
Teardrop Peperomia is semi-succulent, meaning it has thick, fleshy leaves that store water but is not a true succulent. It requires more frequent watering than most succulents but less than tropical houseplants.
2. Can Teardrop Peperomia tolerate low light?
Teardrop Peperomia can survive in low light but it thrives in bright indirect light. The variegated varieties may lose their distinctive coloring in insufficient light and growth may become leggy.
3. Does Teardrop Peperomia flower?
Yes, Teardrop Peperomia produces thin, spike-like flowers that are cream or greenish in color.
4. What is the difference between Peperomia orba and Peperomia obtusifolia?
Peperomia orba has smaller, more rounded teardrop-shaped leaves and a more compact growth. Peperomia obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant) has larger, more oval-shaped leaves and a bushier appearance.
5. Is Peperomia orba the same as Peperomia Hope?
No. Peperomia orba has upright growth with teardrop-shaped leaves, while Peperomia Hope is a trailing variety with round leaves that grows well in hanging baskets.
6. Can I grow Teardrop Peperomia in a terrarium?
Yes, Teardrop Peperomia can thrive in terrariums due to its small size and appreciation for humidity.
7. Can Teardrop Peperomia grow in water permanently?
You can root Teardrop Peperomia in water but it is not ideal for permanent water culture. The plant prefers well-draining soil and may develop root rot if kept in water for too long. Transfer rooted cuttings to soil for healthy growth.
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