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Peperomia Leaves Falling Off
Peperomia leaves falling off is one of the first signs that something is wrong with your plant. It can be alarming and be an indication of a serious issue but it can also be managaed if diagnosed and treated early enough. Below we will discuss some of the most common causes of Peperomia leaves falling off, how to spot them, how to prevent them and what to do about them.
Overwatering
The most common cause of peperomia leaves falling off is overwatering. Peperomia are plants that don’t need to be watered that often. They store a lot of water in their leaves and prefer to be left to dry out between waterings. If you are watering these plants too frequently then you may notice their leaves turning black and soft and eventually falling off.
If you notice black leaves, if the leaves are squishy to the touch or if the soil is soaked and the pot is heavy then these are clear signs that overwatering is your issue. Try inserting your fingers about two inches into the soil and when it feels dry it’s time to water your plant. Or you can get used to the weight of your pot, a light pot is often a thirsty plant. Finally if you’re struggling with knowing when to water your Peperomia then you can try a moisture probe. Simply insert the metal prongs deep into the soil and when the reading is red or around the 1/2 mark, it’s time to give your plant a drink.
Drainage Issues
This problem is linked to overwatering in that it affects the plant in the same way and can cause Peperomia leaves to fall off. As Peperomia don’t like to be watered too often they also don’t want to sit in soggy soil even if you’re leaving the plant a long time between waterings. Drainage issues and incorrect soil can result in Peperomia leaves falling off. This includes not having a drainage hole in your planting pot and using soil that retains too much water. Peperomia need well draining soil, if you use compost or soil meant for outdoors then it could trap too much water which could drown your plant. You can always try adding perlite to a potting mix to help with drainage.
Underwatering
Although less common a reason for peperomia leaves falling off could be underwatering. We say that Peperomia plants don’t like to be overwatered and how you need to allow them to dry out between waterings but if you allow them to dry out and then don’t water them for days or weeks you’re giving your plant dehydration which could cause peperomia leaves to fall off or could eventually kill your plant. Check the soil of your plant, is it bone dry? Is the pot light? This could be an indication that your plant is being underwatered.
Hopefully this has helped to diagnose the cause of Peperomia leaves falling off. If you’re still unsure or think there’s a different reason then explain what’s happening with your plant and the current conditions it’s living under in the comments below.
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