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Peperomia Clusiifolia Breakdown
Light: Bright to medium indirect light
Watering: Allow to dry out between waterings
Humidity: Medium
Origins: Central and South America
Temperature: Around 20°C
Soil: Houseplant mix, cactus mix and perlite
Propagation: Cutting
Fertiliser: Half strength during growing season
Peperomia Clusiifolias also go by ‘Jelly’ due to their jelly like leaves and the soft pink colourings on the tips of their foliage. Although they don’t look like other species they are a member of the Peperomia family and many of their care needs are similar to that of their relatives, but if you’re new to Peperomia plants then don’t worry, we’ve put together this Peperomia Clusiifolia care guide to get you started.
Light
Peperomia Clusiifolia will do well under bright to medium indirect lighting conditions. It’s better if they are kept out of direct sunlight though if you live in a region that receives little sunlight then they will be able to tolerate direct light. They will also do well under low light and even fluorescent lighting.
Watering
Just like many other species of Peperomia plant the Peperomia Clusiifolia is a plant that doesn’t want to be watered too often. If you overwater this plant it can fall victim to root rot which can eventually kill it. A major sign of this is that the leaves will become squishy, then they can turn black and fall off. Instead you want to let the soil dry out between waterings. If you find this difficult to gauge then try using a moisture probe. Stick the probes into the soil and when the dial reads 1, 2 or 3 then it’s time to give your plant a drink.
Humidity
Peperomia Clusiifolia will benefit from medium to high levels of humidity but tend to do well under most household conditions. One thing to avoid is keeping them near radiators as they can cause the air around the plant to dry out too much. If you don’t have a humidifier but you want to increase the humidity levels for your plant then try sitting your plant on top of a pebble tray. This creates a micro climate where the water rises and increases the humidity around your plant.
Soil
As these plants don’t like to sit in water it’s important that you use a well draining soil to avoid water clogging. Try mixing regular potting soil with cactus soil and perlite. This should give you a light airy potting mix that avoids trapping too much water.
Temperature
These plants prefer to be kept at a relatively consistent temperature year round, they like to be kept around 20°C give or take 6°C, they can tolerate higher temperatures as long as the air doesn’t become too dry but if the temperature drops too low this Peperomia will suffer. This is also a plant that doesn’t like to be kept near droughts.
Propagation
Propagation is easy enough with this plant just as it is with many other species of Peperomia. You can take either a leaf or a stem cutting and place it in water or directly into soil. If you place the cutting in water you’ll be able to watch the roots grow, once the roots are established plant it directly into the recommended potting mix. If you’re taking cuttings of this plant we would recommend taking several for the best chance of success as not all of the cuttings always take.
Fertiliser
Your Peperomia Clusiifolia only needs to be fertilised during the growing seasons. Use a half strength fertilise no more than every two weeks during the spring and summer.
Peperomia Clusiifolia FAQ
If you’ve found our Peperomia Clusiifolia care guide useful then make sure you take a quick peek at our FAQ section to see if any of your questions have been addressed here.
Why are Peperomia Clusiifolia called Jelly Plants?
They get this name due to the jelly like feel of the leaves and the red edging.
Are Peperomia Clusiifolia easy to care for?
Yes, just like other varieties of Peperomia plant the Clusiifolia is relatively easy to care for and doesn’t require a lot from you. In fact caring for this plant too much in terms of overwatering can be very bad for this species of plant.
Where can I get Peperomia Clusiifolia from?
Peperomia Clusiifolia are one of the more common varieties of Peperomia plant so you should be able to find it in many houseplant shops. However if you’re struggling then the following websites stock this plant:
Can Peperomia Clusiifolia survive outdoors?
This completely depends on your climate. As these plants need to be kept warm and humid if you live anywhere where temperatures drop significantly in the winter then you probably won’t be able to keep them outdoors. If they are kept in a pot you may be able to move the pot outdoors during the summer and move it back indoors in the cooler months but if you don’t have the appropriate climate for Peperomia plants then we would recommend keeping them indoors where you can control their environment with greater ease.
Can I put my Peperomia Clusiifolia on top of a radiator?
No you shouldn’t do this. The name radiator plant can be very misleading. Placing one of these on top of the radiator will cause their soil to dry out quickly and the humidity around the plant to drop.
Can a beginner care for a Peperomia Clusiifolia?
Yes a beginner can care for this plant. They don’t require a lot of attention and do better from underwatering rather than overwatering so they are the perfect plant for a beginner.
Why are the leaves of my Clusiifolia squishy?
Squishy leaves can be one of the first signs of overwatering. Check the soil and if it feels wet to the touch then you need to let it dry out before watering your plant again or you run the risk of root rot. If the leaves are already squishy then it might be too late for the individual leaves but you could still save the plant.
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