Peperomia verticillata Red Log Care Indoors and Common Problems with Solutions
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Peperomia verticillata Red Log grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity and moderately moist, rich, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Red Log Plant also called Whorled Peperomia, Red Log Peperomia or Belly Button is among the popular Peperomia varieties and bears fleshy, cupped, dark-green leaves with red wine-colored undersides.
At first the stems in Whorled Peperomia appear upright but eventually they spill over due to their own weight (weight of the leaves) and begin to trail or creep on the soil surface placing it among the popular trailing Peperomia varieties.
The stems and leaves in Peperomia verticillata 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.
Botanical name: Peperomia verticillata
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: Red Log Plant, Whorled Peperomia, Belly Button, Red Log Peperomia, Peperomia verticillata Red Log
Origin
Peperomia verticillata is native to the tropical and subtropical regions including Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Bolivia.
Size
Peperomia verticillata Red Log is a compact, evergreen, succulent plant which grows to a height of about 12 inches. Due to its small size, Red Log Plant is one of the best plants for the limited spaces in the home and office.
Flower
Red Log Peperomia flower is a greenish-white, panicle-like inflorescence. The plant is grown for its spectacular foliage as the inflorescence is inconspicuous.
Toxicity
Peperomia verticillata like other Peperomia is non-toxic to humans and pets. They are among the pet-friendly plants that you can grow in the home.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to acquire the spectacular Red Log Plant for your collection, you may obtain the plant online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Red Log Plant Care Guide
Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata) blossoms in bright indirect light (dappled light), average warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, succulents potting mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Peperomia verticillata Red Log 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 on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Potting Soil
The best potting mix for Red Log Plant is cactus and succulents soil as it is loose and drains easily to avoid getting soggy soil which can lead to root-rot and death of the plant.
Water Requirements
Water your Peperomia verticillata Red Log liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Significantly decrease watering in the cold season to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not leave the soil to dry out completely
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead in root-rot. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Light Requirements
Red Log Plant grows best in bright indirect light (filtered light). Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can cause scorching of the leaves.
Too little light will result in a leggy plant with wide spaces between leaf nodes and loss of the charming leaf color. If the natural light in your home is not enough, you may grow the plant under a grow light. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth as well as prevent leggy growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Peperomia verticillata Red Log requires an average warmth of 15-260C. Usually, a room temperature that is comfortable for you is good for the plant. Keep it away from cold drafts from windy doors and windows as they can cause stunted growth and leaf drop.
Whorled Peperomia does not require a very humid environment. Average room humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. Occasionally clean the leaves 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 minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed your Red Log Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period for a lush growth. Do not feed in the winter months as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Repotting
Repot Peperomia verticillata Red Log every 1-2 years during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound. When the roots begin to grow through the drainage hole, it is time to repot.
Use a pot one size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. A terracotta pot is preferable for this plant as it is porous and allows water to drain faster. This prevents the soil from holding too much water and being soggy. Take a look at these terracotta pots with saucer on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Red Log Plant is easy as it involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat. It also discourages pest and disease infestations.
To encourage a bushy, compact growth, regularly pinch off the growing tips. As the plant ages, it wil become straggly therefore, cutback the stems with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors during the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Peperomia verticillata Red Log propagation is easily done from leaf-cuttings, stem-cuttings or by plant division during the growing season when the plant is actively growing.
Read more on how to propagate Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata Propagation)
Peperomia verticillata Problems
Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata) growing problems include dropping leaves, drooping leaves, brown and crispy leaves, dry and crispy leaves, disease and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Dropping leaves
Peperomia verticillata Red Log may lose its leaves due to many varied reasons which have to do with the growing conditions. These may be overwatering, underwatering, wrong temperature, low humidity, poor lighting, pests, diseases among others.
Check out these 12 reasons Why Red Log Plant is losing leaves and their remedies
Drooping leaves
Red Log leaves may droop due to many and varied reasons which include exposure to direct sunlight, overwatering, underwatering, poor feeding, extreme temperatures, low humidity, too little light, pests and diseases among others.
Read more on these 14 reasons why Peperomia leaves are drooping and how to fix them
Pests
Peperomia Red Log is prone to scale insects, whiteflies, spidermites and mealybugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants. Treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests. Ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label.
Leggy stems and falling over
Leggy stems with wide spaces between the leaf nodes and plant falling over are due to too little light. Cutback the leggy stems to rejuvenate growth and move the Peperomia verticillata Red Log to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal grow lights if the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
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. Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. Brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot, trim them off and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution as directed by the manufacturer.
Disinfect the pot or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh well-drained soil. Do not water the plant and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering. To prevent root-rot in the future, ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Leaf spot disease
Peperomia verticillata Red Log is prone to leaf spot disease which is characterized by brown, moist spots on the foliage. In a serious attack the spots can enlarge and merge, killing the whole leaf. Remove and burn the affected parts to reduce the risk of spread to the rest of the plants.
Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure that all the parts are completely covered with the fungicidal solution. Keep the plant on the dry side, do not water it for some time and do not wet the foliage during watering.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Peperomia Red Log Plant are due to sudden drop in temperature from cold drafts. Remove all the damaged leaves. Keep the plant away from cold drafts from windy doors and windows to maintain average temperature of 15-260C. Check out this guide on understanding temperature 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, regularly 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you take care of a Red Log Plant?
- Position your Red Log Plant infront of a brightly-lit window where it will receive bright light away from direct sunlight (filtered light).
- Provide your Peperomia verticillata Red Log with average warmth of 15-260C and keep it away from cold drafts.
- Grow the plant in neutral to acidic, fertile, moderately moist, succulents soil and keep the soil slightly moist in the cold season.
- Feed your plant monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing season but do feed in the cold season.
- Maintain an average room humidity as the plant has no need for extra humidity.
- Repot your Peperomia Red Log every 1-2 years during the growing season only when it is pot-bound.
- Regularly remove dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
- Regularly pinch off the growing tips to encourage a bushy, compact growth.
- Cutback the overgrown stems to rejuvenate growth and control growth of your plant.
- Regularly inspect your plant for any pests and diseases and take timely control measures.
2. How big does Red Log Plant get?
Under the right growing conditions, a Peperomia Red Log will grow to a height of 1 feet and approximately the same width.
3. What is the best soil for Red Log Plant?
The best soil for Peperomia verticillata Red Log should be neutral to acidic, well-drained and rich in organic matter. Most cactus and succulents potting mixes are perfect for this plant.
4. How do you propagate Red Log Plants?
Red Log Plant is easily propagated at the beginning of the growing season (spring) from leaf-cuttings, stem-cuttings or by plant division.
5. Where does Red Log Plant come from?
Peperomia verticillata Red Log is native to the tropical and subtropical regions including Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Bolivia.
6. Why is my Red Log Plant falling over?
A healthy Peperomia Red Log will fall over the sides of the pot due the weight of the leaves. If the plant falling over and has thin stems and wide space between the leaf nodes (legginess), then the cause is too little light.
Trim the leggy stems and move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light or instal a grow light is the lighting is not adequate.
7. Why is my Red Log Plant dropping leaves?
Peperomia verticillata Red Log may drop its leaves due to various reasons which include incorrect watering, wrong temperature, too low humidity, poor lighting, poor feeding among others.
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