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Peperomia argyreia, most commonly known as the Watermelon Peperomia, is a succulent plant that needs very little water to thrive.
It is native to South America and can be found in many garden centers. It is a popular houseplant, but can also be grown outdoors in warm climates.
The plant is easy to care for and will thrive in a well-draining soil mix with plenty of water. In this article, we will go into the basics of watermelon peperomia care so that we can keep your plants thriving.
What is a Watermelon peperomia?
Peperomia argyreia, also known as watermelon peperomia or watermelon begonia, is a species of flowering plant native to northern South America in the Piperaceae family.
Watermelon peperomia or watermelon begonia are other names for it. These tropical plants are obviously not related to either watermelons or begonias.
Reddish stems and thick leaves with green and silvery variegation are what stand out in these plants.
The Watermelon Peperomia gets its name from the variegation of its leaves. The leaf pattern is similar to that of a watermelon fruit.
Watermelon peperomia is a low-maintenance plant that is simple to care for. It’s a tough and hardy plant.
It is commonly used as a ground cover or houseplant, but it can also be used in hanging baskets and is small enough to be grown in terrariums.
The plant grows slowly, at a rate of half an inch to an inch per year.
A watermelon peperomia can reach a height of 5 to 6 inches with basic plant care.
Watermelon peperomia can be grown indoors, but it prefers indirect sunlight and warm temperatures.
Finally, because watermelon peperomias are non-toxic, they can be grown safely around children and pets.
How to Care For Watermelon peperomia?
Watermelon peperomia is a native South American succulent. It is a simple plant to care for, but there are a few things you need to know to keep it healthy.
Here are some guidelines on how to care for watermelon peperomia plants.
Temperature and humidity
Healthy watermelon peperomia plants like temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nevertheless, the watermelon peperomia is a hardy plant that can survive in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, at these temperatures, it will not grow as much.
The humidity level should be between 50% and 75%. You can add other indoor plants around a watermelon peperomia to create humidity, or you can place a humidifier near the plant.
Light
Watermelon grows best in bright, indirect light.
As a result, location is critical, and it’s best to grow it in a sunny area or even outside.
However, avoid direct sunlight as the peperomia watermelon plant’s leaves will burn if exposed to too much light.
To avoid this, simply place your peperomia watermelon in a location that receives moderate light or partial shade from direct sunshine.
Watermelon peperomia can live in low-lit circumstances or in a bright room with indoor fluorescent lights if you don’t have access to bright indirect light.
Watering
Water the watermelon peperomia plant thoroughly but seldom, making sure the soil is well-drained in between watering sessions.
Because the plant rots if its soil gets too wet, watering the watermelon peperomia plant may be a challenging task.
Soaking it in a sufficient amount of water and letting it dry has always been effective.
Additionally, ensure that your container has an adequate drainage hole to facilitate water movement.
When it comes to watering peperomia watermelon, it is best to do it often throughout the summer months and less frequently during the winter months.
During this period, the plant will get sufficient moisture from the surrounding air.
Most importantly, do not overwater this plant since it will slow down its development and make it more susceptible to insect infestation.
A tropical plant, the watermelon peperomia demands high humidity and frequent watering to flourish, and it may be difficult to grow.
On the other hand, many people, on the other hand, make the error of drowning their watermelon peperomia plant.
It is possible for the leaves of the plant to droop if they are not watered regularly enough.
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Fertilizing
The usual practice for other plants is to give them less fertilizer because they can grow without it. It is also the case for peperomia watermelon.
However, peperomia watermelon might sometimes lack nutrients like potassium and nitrogen and need more plant food.
The signs are usually visible in the leaves. Feed your plant with a water-soluble fertilizer diluted by half the prescription when you notice this.
Fertilization should only be done in the summer. During this period, monitor how your plants grow to make sure you are not giving them food when they do not need it.
Overfeeding peperomia can lead to high salt properties, which causes root decay.
We suggest this slow-release fertilizer. It’s super simple to use, and you don’t need to worry about it once you set it in the soil. You never have to worry about over-fertilizing your plants.
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Soil and repotting
Peperomia watermelon, like other plants, does not like water-logged soil.
A mixture of well-drained soil, plus soil amendments such as peat moss and perlite aeration and drainage – a perfect succulent soil.
Use containers with a good drainage path to allow good passage of water and keep your soil pH level at a great level.
Your plant tends to grow slowly and your roots rot when you do not follow these measures.
Furthermore, it is necessary to repot every 2-3 years as they can grow so many roots that it will leave no room for them to expand.
Repotting is done best in the spring with new soil that is well-drained.
The one succulent soil that we can always rely on is this succulent soil. We like it because our succulents seem to thrive in it, plus it’s organic.
Propagate Watermelon Peperomia
The recommended method for propagating watermelon peperomia is the leaf-cutting method.
Cut healthy leaf cuttings by using a sterile object to cut off a few leaves from the mother plant.
When the cuttings heal, root them in a container filled with water using rooting hormone. In a few weeks, the roots will start to develop quickly.
For more information on propagating peperomia plants, read further about:
Common Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases that affect these plants are easy to spot and are associated with several problems. They include ring patches, holes, root rots, stunted growth, etc.
While you can eradicate some by applying insecticides, others are so bad that you have to replant your succulents to prevent more damage.
You can tackle pests like mealybugs, mites, and scales with insecticides. However, pesticides have little effect on fungus gnats and shore flies.
The recommendation is to replant your plant in another pot that does not encourage waterlogging.
Prevention of pests and diseases comes in handy rather than fighting an infestation.
The best way to prevent this is to avoid overwatering, use a sterile object for propagation, and space plants from already infected plants.
Conclusion
New plant lovers finding it hard to keep a plant can look no further than watermelon peperomia.
It is easy to care for and survive harsh conditions long enough to correct your mistakes.
When it comes to the lighting of this plant, if you are scared of burning the leaves of this plant, you can fall back to giving it a little light supply until you master the lighting procedures.
Too little light supply will not hurt your plant so much, but it can cause leggy growth.
FAQ
Is watermelon peperomia a succulent plant?
Watermelon peperomia’s thick leaves and ability to go a long time without water make it a succulent plant. The Peperomia Argyreia is an attractive houseplant with succulent and striped leaves that look like a watermelon’s skin. Long maroon-red stalks bear oval waxy leaves with green and silver patterns. Peperomias are little plants that are cared for like hoyas. Both have fleshy leaves and stalks.
Why is my watermelon peperomia drooping?
Although a lack of water is the most prevalent cause of drooping and limp leaves on a watermelon peperomia, overwatering may also have the same effect. This is because rotting roots in damp soil deprive the plant of water and nutrients. Trim away any bad roots with care. So, water frequently but with the soak and dry method to help your plant thrive.
Is watermelon peperomia toxic?
The Peperomia watermelon plant is not toxic to pets or kids. So it is safe to grow it around your home.
Other Peperomia Plants to Consider
When it comes to peperomia plants, there are numerous varieties to choose from. However, among the vast array of peperomias, there are a select few that stand out from the rest. See below for more peperomia plants to consider adding to your garden.
References
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.