Coin-leaf Peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya) Indoor Care and Propagation Guide

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Botanical name: Peperomia polybotrya
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: Coin-leaf Peperomia, Raindrop Peperomia, Coin Plant

Description

Coin-leaf Peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya) also called Raindrop Peperomia or Coin Plant is a succulent, compact plant which bears glossy, dark-green, heart-shaped leaves with pale green undersides.

The stems are short and sturdy and it grows to a height of about 1 foot. The flowers are rat-tail like and they offer a pleasant smell.

Raindrop Peperomia resembles Chinese Money Plant though the plants are quite different in the shape of the leaves.

Origin

Peperomia polybotrya is native to South America’s tropical regions, which include parts of Peru and Colombia.

Is Coin-leaf Peperomia toxic?

Coin-leaf Peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya) like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe to grow indoors.

Peperomia polybotrya Care Indoors

Coin-leaf Peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya) prospers in medium to bright light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Peperomia polybotrya 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 details on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Coin-leaf Peperomia liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.

Decrease 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.

Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.

Light Requirements

Coin-leaf Peperomia grows best in medium to bright light. It can also grow under a grow light where the natural light is not adequate.

Too little light will result in leggy plants and loss of leaf color while direct sunshine can lead to scorching of the leaves.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth between 15-26⁰C is ideal for Coin-leaf Peperomia. Keep it away from cold draughts as they can cause leaf drop.

Coin-leaf Peperomia thrives in a high humidity environment. Set pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

Raindrop Peperomia can also grow in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.

Fertilizer

Feed Coin-leaf Peperomia with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period.

Stop feeding it during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and eventual loss of the plant.

Potting Mix

The best potting mix for Coin-leaf 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.

Raindrop Peperomia is prone to root-rot if the soil gets soggy (retains too much water), therefore, Cactus and Succulents Soil is ideal as it drains easily. Buy quality Cactus and Succulents Soil from Etsy.

Repotting

Repot Coin-leaf Peperomia Plant during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound as it grows best when slightly pot-bound.

Use a pot one size larger than the current one and ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can result in root-rot disease.

Pruning

Pruning Coin-leaf Peperomia involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations.

To encourage a bushy, compact growth for Raindrop Peperomia, regularly pinch off the growing tips.

As the plant ages, it becomes straggly therefore, cut back the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Coin-leaf Peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya) propagation can be done in 2 ways; from leaf cuttings or by plant division.

1. How to propagate Coin-leaf 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 Coin-leaf 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.

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. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings in one pot.

Place the pots in a warm, well-lit place. Maintain the soil moist until the new Peperomia polybotrya plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.

2. How to propagate Coin-leaf Peperomia by plant division

Water the Coin-leaf 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 the plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections by pulling apart the roots. Ensure each section has adequate roots to hasten establishment.

Select a 6 or 8 in. pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Fill the pot with free-draining soil and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.

Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.

Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a warm, well-lit place. Maintain the soil moist until the new Peperomia polybotrya plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Peperomia polybotrya Problems

Coin-leaf Peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya) problems include brown leaf tips, dropping leaves, drooping leaves, shriveled leaves, wilting, leggy stems, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Dropping leaves

Dropping leaves (leaf fall) in Coin-leaf Peperomia is caused by many and varied reasons like overwatering, insufficient lighting, overfeeding among others.

Here is an outline on 12 reasons why Peperomia is dropping leaves (with solutions).

Drooping leaves

Coin-leaf Peperomia leaves may wilt and begin to droop due to a number of reasons like underwatering, humidity issues, quality of soil among others.

Check out this post on 14 reasons for Peperomia drooping leaves and how to fix them.

Leggy stems

Leggy stems in Coin-leaf Peperomia are due to low light. It grows best in bright light to light shade.

Cut back the stems to rejuvenate growth and move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.

Wilted and discolored leaves and corky swellings under the leaves

Soggy soil for your Coin-leaf Peperomia is the cause of wilted and discolored leaves and corky swellings under the leaves.

This is an indication of root-rot disease. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the root-rot disease.

To prevent the soil from getting soggy, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is loose and free-draining.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges in Coin-leaf Peperomia are due to sudden drop in temperature from cold draughts. Remove all the damaged leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy.

Keep Peperomia polybotrya away from cold draughts like cold window sills, air conditioners, windy doors e.t.c and maintain an average room temperature within the range of 15-26⁰C. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for these plants.

Brown, shrivelled leaves

The cause of brown and shrivelled leaves in your Coin-leaf Peperomia is too dry air (low humidity) as the plant prefers a humid environment.

Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Dry and shrivelled leaves

Excess soluble salts in the soil from the water or excess feeding will cause dry shrivelled leaves in Coin-leaf Peperomia.

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.

Diseases

The other common disease in Coin-leaf Peperomia is leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the disease.

Pests

Coin-leaf Peperomia is prone to mealy bugs, whiteflies, scale insects and spider mites. 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.