30 Useful Growing Tips for Your Peperomia Watermelon

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Peperomia Watermelon is a gorgeous and easy-to-care-for plant. Its diverse appearance and feel make it a top pick among plant enthusiasts.

In this thorough guide, we’ll talk about all the necessary information for you to care for your Peperomia Watermelon confidently. Continue reading to find out more about Peperomia’s attractive attributes!

What Is Peperomia Watermelon?

Peperomia Watermelon (Peperomia Argyreia) is part of the Piperaceae family and is also known as Watermelon Begonia.

They are known for their waxy, green, and silver-striped leaves attached to short, reddish-purple stems. The leaves look like a watermelon, hence, the name. Watermelon Peperomia is excellent as indoor plants; they would fit the small spaces indoors because these plants are compact.

Considered a perennial, it grows well indoors near an east or west-facing window. It’s typically known for watermelon-like foliage, making it a truly stunning houseplant.

The Peperomia Watermelon can also be raised outdoors in certain climates, ideally in hardiness zones 10-12.

Peperomia Watermelon Origin And Family

Watermelon Peperomia belongs to the Peperomia genus in the Piperaceae family. The rainforests of South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela, is this plant’s natural habitat.

Where To Buy

A Peperomia Watermelon can usually be purchased from a nursery specializing in houseplants. With that said, it’s usually a better option to buy it on Etsy, where the prices are more reasonable for stunning plants. I often find the best options there because enthusiasts usually sell the plants from their collections.

Peperomia Watermelon is affordable, priced between $10 for small plants and $20+ for larger or more mature plants.

Peperomia Watermelon Plant Size

Indoors, the Peperomia Watermelon reaches a height of 6-12 inches and a width of 4-8 inches. This Peperomia grows slowly and beautifully thrives near an east or west-facing window.

Peperomia Watermelon Care Needs

Though Peperomia Watermelon is not a complicated plant to take care of, and growing it to its maximum growth requires certain conditions. The Peperomia Watermelon plant, with watermelon-like foliage, appreciates humidity and requires relatively dry soil to thrive.

When the upper section of the soil is dry, water your Peperomia. Make sure your pot has sufficient drainage so that the soil can be hydrated appropriately. When watering according to a timetable, don’t be afraid to fully soak the soil. Regarding lighting needs, this gorgeous plant will thrive in bright indirect light.

Find out more about the detailed and precise care requirements for your plant below!

Peperomia Watermelon Care Difficulty

In terms of care difficulty, the Watermelon Begonia is typically easy-to-care-for. The primary growing considerations are the well-draining soil and the amount of light this plant has.

Peperomia Watermelon Growth Rate

The growth rate of a Watermelon Peperomia is slow. Indoors, it will reach a mature height of about 6-12 inches.

I love the watermelon peperomia leaves 🌿 pic.twitter.com/FCfNmKPPM3

— Houseplant Hobbyist (@HobbyistPlant) October 2, 2022

Peperomia Watermelon Potting

This gorgeous plant has adjusted well to indoor living and can thrive in almost any potting material. For most growers, plastic, terracotta, or clay planters will work best for Watermelon Peperomia.

In terms of sizing, you’d typically want to use a small pot for most plants. As long as your pot has a drainage hole at the bottom, your plant should be generally safe against root rot.

Peperomia Watermelon Repotting

To keep your plant healthy, it is a good idea to transplant it to a bigger pot once it grows to a specific size. If you find roots growing out of the bottom of the pot, you’ll know it’s time to repot.

On average, Peperomia Watermelon grows slowly and needs to be repotted every 2-3 years. Soil loses its natural nutrient components over time, so it’s better to add some standard commercial potting soil when repotting.

Peperomia Watermelon Soil

The Watermelon Begonia is an easy-to-care-for plant that needs standard commercial potting soil to stay healthy. If you plan to prepare your soil mix, we recommend that you add in some peat moss, perlite, and coco coir or fine moss,

Your Peperomia will appreciate the soil being kept relatively dry at all times. Nonetheless, drainage and aeration are essential requirements for all soil types.

Here are some potting mixes we recommend:

Peperomia Watermelon pH

A soil pH of roughly 6.0-6.5, which is mildly acidic, is ideal for the Watermelon Peperomia. For new gardeners concerned about the soil’s acidity, you can buy a simple pH meter device to evaluate it.

To reduce pH levels, use sulfur or aluminum sulfate. On the other hand, to raise pH levels, add baking soda, calcitic or dolomitic lime, or wood ash.

Peperomia Watermelon Water

Watermelon Peperomia is a humidity-loving plant that needs relatively dry soil throughout the year.

During the spring and summer, water your beautiful plant when the top inches of soil are dry. Drench the soil until water drains out the hole at the bottom of the plastic, terracotta, or clay pot. If you’re using a collection tray, toss out the excess water to fend off root rot and other diseases.

In the winter, it won’t be necessary to water as much. Continue to water your plants deeply but do it less frequently.

Peperomia Watermelon Light

This easy-to-care-for houseplant prefers bright indirect sunlight. If there’s too much light, its beautiful dark green stripes will fade. If there’s a lack of light, its leaves will lose their watermelon pattern.

If your Peperomia Watermelon isn’t getting enough bright light, you can transfer it closer to a window or purchase LED grow lights. Here are the products we recommend for you to choose from:

Avoid putting your Peperomia Watermelon in direct sunlight, as this could cause severe damage or even kill it.

Peperomia Watermelon Fertilizer

The Watermelon Begonia’s growing season is in the spring and summer months. During this time, fertilize your plant once a month using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.

In the colder seasons, when this plant’s development naturally slows, you don’t need to fertilize.

Propagating Peperomia Watermelon

You may grow the Peperomia Watermelon in the comfort of your own home. These steps can help you create more of this beautiful plant.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

Most plant enthusiasts agreed that the easiest method to propagate a Watermelon Peperomia plant is directly planting stem cuttings into the soil. This plant’s growing season is early spring, so it’s the best time to make cuttings.

1. Cut. Cut a portion of the stem with new leaves and at least one node attached. Without a node, your cutting won’t be able to sprout new leaves.

2. Disinfect. If you have cinnamon or rooting powder, dip the cutting to disinfect the wound and encourage faster rooting.

3. Plant. Stick the disinfected cutting into your potting mix. Pro tip: Make sure that the nodes are buried.

4. Water. Water the soil and ensure you keep it moist but not soggy.

5. Maintain. The Peperomia Watermelon roots grow within 2-3 weeks. We recommend placing your new plant in a bright, shaded area with good airflow.

Stem Cuttings In Water

Water propagation is another easy method to root your Watermelon Begonia cuttings. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Cut. After harvesting a healthy cutting, pluck off the bottom leaves from its stem.

2. Submerge. Let the cutting sit in a glass of water. To avoid rot, ensure no leaves are below the water level.

3. Maintain. Keep your cutting in an area with bright, indirect light and good air circulation. A humidifier nearby can boost the plant’s health.

4. Refill. Replace the water each time it starts to turn murky. Keep the nodes submerged for faster root growth.

5. Transplant. Once the roots are long enough, plant your cutting into clean, well-aerated soil. Keep the soil moist to help the roots adjust.

Humidity And Aeration for Peperomia Watermelon

Your Peperomia Watermelon needs high humidity between 50% and up for rich-colored leaves and lush growth.

If you’re worried about the humidity or observe browning edges on your plant’s leaves, you may acquire a humidifier and keep it near your plants. This addition will make a big difference in your Watermelon’s health.

Peperomia Watermelon Temperature

Peperomia plants go by another name: Radiator Plants. This is because these tropical plants prefer to grow near warm locations. Your Watermelon Peperomia will prosper in a warm area, so keep the temperature between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. As a hardy plant, the average room temperature is also acceptable.

Like most Peperomia plants, this gorgeous houseplant will love consistent temperatures throughout the year. Avoid watering your plant with hot or cold water. Keep it away from heat sources and dry air (such as furnaces and vents) and cold (such as open windows during the winter months).

Non-Toxic

The Watermelon Begonia is not hazardous to children or pets, which makes it a perfect indoor plant. According to the ASPCA, it will not hurt dogs or cats if ingested, and there are no toxic elements in the plant.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems for Peperomia Watermelon

The Peperomia Watermelon is a disease and pest-resistant plant. Here are some prevalent diseases, problems, and pests, along with how to treat them.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are unfortunately a common issue, especially for plant collectors who have a Watermelon Peperomia. If your plant has brown or yellow areas on its leaves, silky webbing between the branches, or leaves that take a long time to unfold, you have spider mites.

Bring your sick plant to the sink, the tub, or outside and vigorously spray all the fleshy leaves to combat a spider mite infestation. Insecticidal soap or oils like horticultural oil and neem oil can be utilized repeatedly to help get rid of spider mites.

If you prefer a non-chemical method, ladybugs, lacewings, and tiny pirate bugs can assist in controlling your spider mite population.

Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats frequently attack Watermelon Peperomia. These insects give birth to larvae which mainly feed on organic waste in soil, but they will also eat the roots of your plant.

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical solution that will not only eliminate fungus gnats but will also reoxygenate your plant’s roots. Apply a solution of four parts water and one part hydrogen peroxide to your soil.

Because fungus gnats constantly love damp conditions, keep your soil dry by lengthening the time between watering schedules. These bugs might try to enter through the drainage holes of your pot, so cover those holes with synthetic fabric that will still allow water to pass through.

White Flies

Whiteflies are gnat-like pests that feed on the sap of your houseplants. Having them on your Watermelon Peperomia can be a big inconvenience. They deposit eggs which will hatch into larvae that eat the undersides of your plant’s leaves.

You can get rid of Whiteflies using a general pesticide. You may either buy it online or make one using the recipe below:

• To create your base, mix these ingredients: 5 drops of bleach-free dish soap + 1 cup of vegetable or olive oil

• For every cup of water, add 1.5 tsp of the prepared mixture

• Shake the solution well and then transfer it to a spray bottle.

• Spray all surfaces of the infected plant, especially on the underside of leaves.

Scale Insects

Your Peperomia Watermelon’s stems or leaves may develop lumps caused by scale insects. These little green, gray, brown, or black beetles rarely move after they have fastened themselves to a plant.

If the infestation isn’t too terrible, use a teaspoon of neem oil diluted in four cups of water to keep scale insects away from your plant. Spray the plant ferociously with a spray bottle.

Even while neem oil and horticultural oils may not completely eradicate pests, they will surely suffer some damage. Many pesticide sprays used to combat scales are thought to be safe for use inside.

Aphids

Aphids are tiny bugs that will eat the leaves of your Watermelon Begonia, resulting in black and brown patches.

To get rid of an infestation, use neem oil or insecticidal soap. Dish soap in low doses can also eliminate pests without endangering your plant. Select a fragrance-free product, such as Ivory Liquid.

Start by combining 1 teaspoon of dish soap with 1 gallon of water, and then adjust the ratio as needed. Spray this mixture over the afflicted plant, paying particular attention to the undersides of the leaves where aphids are typically present.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs may infest your Watermelon Peperomia. If you find these little parasites with their white fluff, act promptly. Mealies will be killed and turned brown or orange when they come into touch with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. As a preventative measure, Neem oil diluted in water also works effectively.

Have you ever seen a variegated Peperomia Watermelon? 😮 pic.twitter.com/AMB1HIOuL5

— Houseplant Hobbyist (@HobbyistPlant) October 14, 2022

Brown Leaf Tips

Occasionally, you might notice brown leaf tips on your Watermelon Peperomia. Typically, this indicates that your plant is underwatered or is quickly losing moisture from its leaves through transpiration.

Improve the humidity levels in your indoor growing space, or water your plant as soon as the topsoil dries out.

Brown leaf tips might also point to an issue with the plant’s roots, so make sure your plant has a breathable, well-draining growing medium.

Drooping Leaves

Drooping leaves on the Peperomia Watermelon can be caused by inconsistent watering, incorrect lighting, and lack of humidity. It might also help to clean your plant’s leaves with plain water and a microfiber cloth to remove the layer of dust that can interfere with photosynthesis.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves on your Watermelon Begonia might occasionally indicate problems. Moisture stress, poor lighting, nutritional imbalance, fluctuating temperatures, bacterial or viral infections, insect infestations, and many more factors might contribute to this issue.

You must take into account recent weather changes or how you take care of your plant to narrow in on the issue.

Root Rot

Too much water, inadequate drainage, or fungal spores on the soil can all cause root rot in plants. Root rot is difficult to treat, so it is best to take precautions.

The best way to prevent watermelon Peperomia rot is to ensure that the root system is not consistently exposed to wet conditions. Always check for soil moisture before watering your plant. Use a chunky soil mix to allow airflow in the roots. Most importantly, use a porous pot that has drainage holes.

my watermelon peperomia is flowering 😌 pic.twitter.com/JyM5hT5RZq

— tofu (@tofuslayer) July 21, 2021

Similar Plants to Peperomia Watermelon

Love Watermelon Peperomia? Below are a few other similar plant options you should try:

Hoya Carnosa Compacta Variegata – An elegantly variegated plant, this Hoya has strong rope-like vines that are adorned with curled leaves. To highlight their beautiful trailing foliage, they look excellent in hanging baskets. The plant’s tiny, star-shaped flowers, which have given it the name “Porcelain Flower,” add to its attractiveness.

Hoya Krimson Queen – This Hoya is deserving of its common name. It has extremely colorful variegation on its thick, waxy leaves. This Hoya is well-liked because of its drought resistance and aesthetic appeal.

Conclusion

The Peperomia Watermelon, with watermelon-like foliage, is the perfect addition to any plant lover’s collection.

Whether you’re just starting as an indoor gardener or a long-time hobbyist learning more about this particular plant, we hope you’ve learned some helpful tips from us to grow your Peperomia Watermelon successfully!

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