How to grow and care for Red Log Plant Indoors

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Botanical name: Peperomia verticillata
Family: Piperaceae

Red Log Plant also called Whorled Peperomia or Belly Button is a compact plant which grows to a height of about 12 inches. It 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 appear upright but eventually spill over due to their own weight. The inflorescence is an inconspicuous greenish-white, panicle-like flowers. 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. The word verticillata connotes hairy and is named after the plant’s Due to its relatively small size, Red Log Plant is ideal for small spaces. Red Log Plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions including Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Bolivia.

How to Grow Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata)

Light

Red Log Plant prefers bright light. It will also thrive under flourescent light. Too little light will result in leggy plants and loss of leaf color. Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves. Learn how to ensure your plant receives the correct light in this guide on understanding light for houseplants.

Water

Water Red Log Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Significantly reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist. Avoid overwatering as it can lead in root-rot. Learn more on how to water houseplants.

Temperature

Average warmth between 15-26⁰C is ideal for Red Log Plant. Protect the plant from cold draughts as the cause leaf drop. Learn more on temperature for houseplants.

Humidity

Red Log Plant thrives in a high humidity environment. Set pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity.

Feeding

Feed Red Log Plant with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing period. Withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn. Learn more on feeding houseplants.

Repotting

Repot Red Log Plant during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound. Use a rich, free-draining soil and a pot one size larger. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole(s) to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot.

Pruning

Pruning Red Log Plant involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy. To encourage a bushy, compact growth, regularly pinch off the growing tips. As the plants age, they become straggly. Cut back the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth. Learn more on how to prune houseplants.

How to Propagate Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata)

Red Log Plant can be propagated from leaf-cuttings, stem-cuttings or by division.

Propagating Red Log Plants from leaf cuttings
Leaf cuttings root easily, there is no need for a rooting hormone. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Red Log Plant. Ensure each leaf cutting has a petiole. Allow sometime for the formation of a protective callous tissue over the cuts. Place the leaf cuttings in a jar of clean plain water and change the water every 7-10 days. Place in warm shaded place until growth begins at the base of the petiole. Allow for substantial growth of the roots and new leaves. Transfer to individual pots and place in a cool shaded place. Maintain the soil moist until the plant is well established. For a fuller plant, plant several plants in one pot.

Propagating Red Log Plant from stem cuttings
Stem-tip cuttings root easily, there is no need for a rooting hormone. Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 in. length from a healthy Red Log Plant. Ensure each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves. Insert the cuttings in moist rooting soil. Place in warm shaded place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth has been observed. Transfer to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller plant plant several cuttings in one pot.

Propagating Red Log Plants by division
Take out the Red Log Plant from its pot and divide it into several sections. Pot up these sections in individual pots. Place in a cool shaded place. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. Allow the new Red Log Plants to be well established before transplanting.

Common Problems in Growing Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata)

• 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 plants away from cold draughts.

• Sudden loss of leaves

There are two causes of sudden loss of leaves in Red Log Plant. Either temperature is too low; move to a warmer spot or the plant has been underwatered causing the foliage to wilt.

• Brown, shrivelled leaves

The cause of brown and shrivelled leaves in Red Log Plant is too dry air. Red Log Plant prefers a humid environment. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Red Log Plant can also be grown in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained.

• Dry and shrivelled leaves

Excess soluble salts in the soil from the water or excess feeding will cause dry shrivelled leaves in Red Log Plant; flush out the salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes. Repeat several times.

• Leggy stems

Leggy stems in Red Log Plant are due to low light. Cut back the stems to rejuvenate growth and move the plant to a brighter spot.

• Leaves wilted and discolored. Corky swellings under leaves

Waterlogging of Red Log Plant is the cause of these. This is an indication of Root-rot disease.

• Diseases

Common diseases in Red Log Plants are Leaf Spot disease and Leaf Viral Diseases.

• Pests

Common pests in Red Log Plants are Aphids and Mealy Bugs.

Toxicity

Red Log Plant (Peperomia verticillata) are non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe to grow indoors.

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