Peperomia, Radiator Plant (Peperomia species)
Features
Peperomia plants are so beautiful, easy to grow, and available in such a wide array of foliage colors, textures and sizes that it could be difficult to own just one! This is a great plant for anyone who isn’t experienced with houseplants or who simply wants a relatively care-free plant. Peperomia is a vast plant genus with over a thousand known species, most of which are native to tropical regions of the Americas. Hundreds of these different species are cultivated for use as houseplants.
Uses
Very decorative on a small table or in a hanging basket. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Potted Peperomia plants can be grown outdoors in the summer and brought back inside when temperatures are expected to fall below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C).
Plant Feed
Once every month during growing season.
Watering
Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings.
Soil
All-purpose mix.
Basic Care Summary
Water thoroughly but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.
Planting Instructions
Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil. These are usually lighter in weight than topsoil, sterile and pest-free. Many are available with a mild starter fertilizer in the mix.
Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.
Prepare the container by filling with potting soil up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Remove the plant from its pot.
Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. When all the plants are potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give plants a good start. Place plant in a reliably sunny location.
Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.
Watering Instructions
Prefers moist but well-drained soil. Check the soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.
Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the foliage. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet.
Pruning Instructions
Most container plants can be pruned freely to maintain the desired size and shape. Keeping the foliage trimmed also keeps the plants looking neat and tidy, encourages the plant to develop more side-shoots and flowers, and reduces the demand for the plant to develop a larger root system. This is important since the roots are in a confined space.
Fertilizing Instuctions
Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed for foliage plants.
Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.
Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. A single application can often provide plants with the proper level of nutrition all season long.
Plant Details
| Category | Houseplants |
| Height Range | 4-10″ |
| Height Metric Range | 10-25cm |
| Space Range | 6-12″ |
| Space Metric Range | 15-30cm |
| Available Colors | Grown for foliage |
| Companion Plants | African Violet, Sanseviera, Pothos |
| Lowest Temperature | 60° to 80°F |
| Lowest Temperature Metric | 16° to 27°C |
| Bloom Time | Grown for foliage |
| Plant Light | Medium Light |
| Hardiness Zone | 11, 12 |