How to Grow and Care for Peperomia puteolata (Parallel Peperomia) Indoors
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Peperomia puteolata (Parallel Peperomia) flourishes in medium to bright light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Parallel Peperomia is among the popular trailing Peperomia varieties and produces cascading stems and oval-shaped leaves with attractive patterns similar to the stripes found on watermelon rinds.
The leaves are patterned in dark green and white and grow in whorls around the plant stems. The stems are a deep maroon or reddish color. These characteristics make Parallel Peperomia one of the best plants for an office space where they can be a great conversation starter.
The compact size and beautiful foliage of Peperomia tetragona make it perfect for a hanging basket, a pedestal, a tabletop, desktop or any limited space.
Botanical name: Peperomia puteolata
Synonym: Peperomia tetragona
Family: Piperaceae
Common name Parallel Peperomia
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?
Peperomia puteolata like other Peperomia is non-toxic to humans and pets. They are some of the pet-safe plants thay you can grow indoors.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to acquire Peperomia for your collection, they are available online on Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Parallel Peperomia Care Indoors
Peperomia puteolata (Parallel Peperomia) blossoms in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose 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 your Peperomia puteolata 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.
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 that 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 loss of the plant. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Light Requirements
Parallel Peperomia grows best in medium to bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.
Too little light will result in a leggy plant and loss of leaf color. Therefore, where the natural light is not adequate, you may grow the plant under a grow light. Check out these full spectrum grow lights in Amazon.
Regularly rotate the pot to ascertain that the plant receives light on all sides for a uniform growth as well as prevent a leggy growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 15-260C is ideal for Peperomia puteolata. Keep it away from cold drafts as they can cause leaf drop.
Parallel Peperomia thrives in a humidity of 55-65%. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium as high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
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.
Fertilizer
Feed your Parallel Peperomia with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Occassionally flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes. Repeat the process several times to remove as much as possible of the accumulated salts.
Potting Soil
The best potting soil for your 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 this plant.
Repotting
Repot your 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 and the death of the plant. Take a look at these ceramic pots with drainage holes and saucer on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Parallel Peperomia involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant 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, cutback the stems with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors during the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Parallel Peperomia (Peperomia puteolata) can be propagated during the growing season from leaf and stem-tip cuttings or by plant division.
Learn more on how to propagate Parallel Peperomia (5 Methods of Peperomia puteolata Propagation)
Peperomia puteolata Problems and Remedies
Parallel Peperomia (Peperomia puteolata) problems are dropping leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, shriveled leaves, wilting, leggy growth, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Dropping leaves
There are many and varied possible causes of dropping leaves in Parallel Peperomia which include overwatering, inadequate light, extreme temperature, aging, pests, diseases among others.
Check out these 12 reasons why Peperomia is dropping leaves with solutions
Drooping leaves
Parallel Peperomia leaves may droop due to cultural faults like exposure to direct sunlight, underwatering, overwatering, extreme temperature, pests and diseases among others.
Read more on these 14 reasons for Peperomia drooping leaves and how to fix them
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. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for root-rot.
Diseases
Parallel Peperomia is prone to leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant and treat it 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 plants and treat it for the pests. Learn how to identify and control houseplants pests.
Leggy stems (growth)
Leggy stems in Parallel Peperomia are due to low light. Cutback 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 sufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Parallel Peperomia are due to sudden drops in temperature from cold drafts. Remove all the damaged leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy. Protect the plant from cold drafts from windy doors, drafty windows, air conditioners and maintain an average warmth of 15-260C. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Brown, shriveled leaves
The cause of brown and shriveled leaves in Parallel Peperomia is too dry air. Set the pot on wet pebble tray or instal a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other humid areas in the home. Learn more on how to elevate 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Peperomia need full sun?
No. Parallel Peperomia grows best in medium to bright light away from direct sunshine as it may result in scorching of the leaves.
2. How do you care for Parallel Peperomia?
- Grow Parallel Peperomia in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light) to avoid scorching.
- Maintain an average warmth of 15-260C and keep it away from cold drafts.
- Keep it in a humid environment, above average room humidity of 55-65%.
- Give it well-drained, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold season.
- Feed it monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing season but do not feed in the cold season.
- Regularly remove dead and dry leaves to maintain the plant neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
- To encourage a compact growth of the plant, regularly pinch off the growing tips.
- With time, the plant becomes straggly therefore, cutback the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
- Repot Parallel Peperomia during the growing season when it is pot-bound. Use a pot one size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid soggy soil as it can result in root-rot.
- Regularly inspect the plant for pests and diseases and carry out timely control measures.
3. What are the benefits of Peperomia puteolata?
- Peperomia puteolata is an easy-care, low maintenance, compact plant that is perfect for hanging baskets and the limited spaces.
- Its attractive foliage which appear like the rind of watermelons is a sight to behold in any space in the home.
- Peperomia puteolata is non-toxic to both humans and pets. It is safe to grow in the home.
4. Parallel Peperomia (Peperomia tetragona) propagation?
Parallel Peperomia is propagated during the growing season from leaf cuttings, stem-tip cuttings or by plant division.
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