How to Grow and Care for Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata) Indoors
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Botanical name: Peperomia verticillata
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: Red Log Plant, Whorled Peperomia, Belly Button
Description
Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata) also called Whorled Peperomia or Belly Button is a compact plant which grows to a height of about 12 inches.
Peperomia verticillata is an evergreen succulent plant which bears fleshy and cupped leaves with red wine-colored undersides and trailing stems.
The upper side of the leaves is dark-green while the underside is a beautiful shade of red.
At first the stems in Whorled Peperomia appear upright but eventually spill over due to their own weight.
The stems and leaves are covered by thin hairs.The name ‘verticillata’ is derived from its fuzzy appearance arising from the thin hairs covering the stems and the leaves.
Due to its relatively small size, Red Log Plant can be used for the small spaces like on the table-top, desk-top, shelf and others.
Due to its preference for warm, humid conditions, Belly Button Plant is perfect for a terrarium where these conditions can be achieved.
Flower
Red Log Plant flower is a greenish-white, panicle-like inflorescence. The plant is grown for its spectacular foliage as the inflorescence is inconspicuous.
Origin
Peperomia verticillata is native to the tropical and subtropical regions including Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Bolivia.
Peperomia verticillata Care Indoors
Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata) thrives in bright light away from direct sunshine, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Peperomia verticillata 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 pot-bound. Keep reading for more details on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Red Log Plant grows best in bright light away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.
Too little light for Whorled Peperomia will result in a leggy plant and loss of leaf color.
It can also be grown under a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.
Watering
Water Red Log Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Significantly decrease watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time.
Make sure that the pot for Whorled Peperomia has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead in root-rot disease.
Temperature
Red Log Plant requires an average warmth within the range of 15-260C. Usually, a room temperature that is comfortable for you is good for the plant.
Keep Peperomia verticillata away from cold draughts like windy doors and windows as they cause sudden drops in temperatures which can lead to leaf drop.
Humidity
Red Log Plant thrives in a high humidity environment. To increase humidity, set pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
You can also grow Peperomia verticillata in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium or in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Red Log Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period for a lush growth.
Do not feed during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Repotting
Repot Red Log Plant during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound; when the roots begin to grow through the drainage hole. Use a pot one size larger than the current one.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual loss of the plant.
Soil
The best soil for Peperomia verticillata 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.
Cactus and Succulents soil is ideal for this plant. Purchase quality Cactus and Succulents Soil for Red Log Plant online from Etsy.
Pruning
Pruning Red Log Plant is easy as it 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 for Peperomia verticillata, regularly pinch off the growing tips.
As the plant ages, it wil become straggly therefore, cut back the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata) propagation can be done from leaf-cuttings, stem-cuttings or by plant division.
Peperomia verticillata Problems Indoors
Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata) problems indoors include dropping leaves, brown and crispy leaves, dry and crispy leaves, disease and pests among others. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Dropping leaves
Red Log Plant dropping leaves is due to five possible causes. One possible cause is too low temperatures.
Move the plant to a warmer spot away from cold draughts and maintain an average room temperature within the range of 15-260C.
The second possible cause of dropping leaves in Peperomia verticillata is underwatering which causes the foliage to wilt and eventually drop.
Water the plant immediately and it should recover. Thereafter, water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
The third possible cause of dropping leaves in Red Log Plant is soggy soil (excess water in the soil). Too much water in the soil causes the roots to die.
When roots die, they cannot take up water and nutrients needed for the food making process. In a bid to save energy, the plant begins to drop its leaves.
To avoid getting soggy soil, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.
In addition, cut down on watering the Red Log plant during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist.
The fourth possible cause of dropping leaves in Red Log Plant is too little light (inadequate light).
Light is needed by the plant for making food that is required for energy and growth. Insufficient light implies that the plant cannot make enough food for energy and growth.
In an attempt to save energy, the plant begins to drop leaves. This way, it saves the available energy for the vital functions inorder to keep alive.
The fifth possible cause of dropping leaves in Red Log Plant is aging. Naturally, as the plant ages, it drops the lower older leaves to spare energy for the growth of new leaves.
Peperomia verticillata may drop leaves due to other reasons. Read more on 12 reasons why Peperomia is dropping leaves.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Red Log Plant are due to sudden drop in temperature from cold draughts.
Remove all the damaged leaves and keep the plant away from cold draughts like windy doors and windows to maintain average room temperature within the range of 15-260C.
Brown, crispy leaves
Brown and crispy leaves in Red Log Plant is caused by too dry air (low humidity). The plant prefers a humid environment inorder to thrive.
Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity or grow the plant in a bathroom and other moist areas. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Dry, crispy leaves
Excess soluble salts in the soil from the water or excess feeding will cause dry, crispy leaves in Red Log Plant.
To get rid of accumulated salts from the soil, flush out the salts 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
Leggy stems in Red Log Plant are due to low light (inadequate light) at it grows best in bright light away from direct sunlight.
Cut back the stems to rejuvenate growth and move the plant to a brighter spot or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.
Wilted, discolored leaves
Soggy soil for Red Log Plant is the cause of wilted and discolored leaves and corky swellings under the leaves is an indication of root-rot disease.
Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the disease. Read on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
To prevent the disease, ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Diseases
Red Log Plant is also prone to leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the disease.
Pests
Red Log Plant pests 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 on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Is Red Log Plant toxic?
Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata) like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe to grow indoors.
