Parallel Peperomia (Peperomia puteolata) Indoor Care and Propagation Guide


Parallel Peperomia, Peperomia puteolata, Peperomia tetragona

Botanical name: Peperomia puteolata
Synonym: Peperomia tetragona
Family: Piperaceae
Common name Parallel Peperomia

Description

Peperomia puteolata or Parallel Peperomia is a trailing plant which produces cascading stems with attractive patterns similar to the stripes found on watermelon rinds.

The leaves are oval-shaped, patterned in dark green and white and grow in whorls around the plant stems. The stems are a deep maroon or reddish color.

The compact size and beautiful foliage make Parallel Peperomia perfect for a hanging basket or as a tabletop plant.

Origin

Peperomia puteolata also called Peperomia tetragona is native to South America where it is found growing on forest floors with a fast spreading nature.

Is Parallel Peperomia toxic?

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

Parallel Peperomia, Peperomia puteolata, Peperomia tetragona

Peperomia puteolata Care Indoors

Parallel Peperomia (Peperomia puteolata) blossoms 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 tetragona requires regular pruning to keep it neat, minimize pest and disease infestations as well as rejuvenate 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 Parallel 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.

Cut down on watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not leave it to dry out completely.

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

Light Requirements

Parallel Peperomia grows best in medium to bright light away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.

Too little light for Peperomia puteolata will result in a leggy plant and loss of leaf color.

It can also grow under a grow light where the natural light is not adequate.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth in the range of 15-260C is ideal for Parallel Peperomia. Keep it away from cold draughts as they can cause leaf drop.

Parallel Peperomia thrives in a humid environment. To increase humidity, set pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

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

Fertilizer

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

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

Potting Soil

The best potting soil for Peperomia puteolata should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.

Most all-purpose potting mixes are ideal for the plant. Purchase quality all-purpose potting mix from Etsy.

Repotting

Repot Parallel Peperomia during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound. Use a pot one size larger than the current one to avoid over potting.

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

Pruning

Pruning Parallel Peperomia involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as to minimize pests and disease infestations.

To encourage a bushy, compact growth of the plant, regularly pinch off the growing tips.

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

Propagation

Parallel Peperomia (Peperomia puteolata) can be propagated in 3 ways; from leaf and stem-tip cuttings or by plant division.

1. How to propagate Parallel 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 Parallel 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.

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 the set up in warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight 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 free-draining soil and place in a warm, well-lit place. For a fuller plant, transfer several rooted cuttings into one pot.

Maintain the soil moist until the new Peperomia tetragona are well established after which you can begin routine care.

2. How to propagate Parallel Peperomia 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 Parallel Peperomia 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 the cuttings to prevent rotting.

When callused, insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining soil and place in warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.

Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth has been observed.

Transfer the rooted Peperomia puteolata stem cuttings to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.

3. How to propagate Parallel Peperomia by division

Water the Parallel 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 divide it into several sections. Ensure each section has adequate roots for faster establishment.

Pot these sections in individual pots in moist, free-draining soil and place the set up in a warm, well-lit place.

Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges on the sections and allow the new Peperomia tetragona to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

Parallel Peperomia, Peperomia puteolata, Peperomia tetragona

Peperomia puteolata Problems

Parallel Peperomia (Peperomia puteolata) problems are brown leaf tips, dropping leaves, shriveled leaves, wilting, leggy growth, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges in Parallel Peperomia are due to sudden drops in temperature from cold draughts.

Remove all the damaged leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy. Protect the plant from cold draughts like windy doors, drafty windows, air conditioners and maintain an average warmth within the range of 15-260C.

Dropping leaves

There are many and varied possible causes of dropping leaves in Parallel Peperomia. One possible cause is too low temperature.

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 Peperomia puteolata 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).

Brown, shriveled leaves

The cause of brown and shriveled leaves in Parallel Peperomia is too dry air. The plant thrives in a humid environment.

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

Dry and shriveled leaves

Excess soluble salts in the soil from the water or excess feeding will cause dry shriveled leaves in Parallel Peperomia.

Regularly 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.

Leggy stems (growth)

Leggy stems in Parallel Peperomia are due to low light. Cut back the stems to rejuvenate growth and move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright, indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.

Wilted, discolored leaves

Soggy soil for Parallel 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 root-rot disease.

Diseases

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

Pests

Parallel Peperomia is prone to scale insects, whiteflies, mealy bugs 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.

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