Watermelon Peperomia Care Guide

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Watermelon Peperomia plants are known for their round green leaves and watermelon like markings. They belong to the Peperomia family and are also known as Peperomia Argyreia but are more commonly known as watermelon peperomia due to their colouring.

Caring for your plant shouldn’t be too difficult. Although they aren’t super low maintenance house plants they aren’t too fussy either.

By following some basic tips for Watermelon Peperomia care, you should be able to handle this quirky little plant.

Watermelon Peperomia Lighting Requirements

This plant will do best in bright indirect light. If it is exposed to too much light then you may find the colour and pattern of the leaves fade. If you find this is happening then move it slightly away from the light. However, these are not low light houseplants so do not place your Watermelon Peperomia in a place that receives little natural light as your plant will not be able to grow and thrive.

You can play around with placement until your find the perfect lighting conditions to cultivate your peperomia. An east or west facing window will be able to provide your Watermelon Peperomia with the light it requires.

Watermelon Peperomia Watering Requirements

Make sure you water your Watermelon Peperomia thoroughly with each watering, soaking the soil through so that the roots have plenty of water. But make sure you let the soil dry out between each watering to avoid root rot.  Its vital that you ensure your pot has adequate draining to avoid your Peperomia from standing in water which can also be bad for the plant.

In summer and when the air is drier you will need to water your plant more often than in winter or in more humid conditions. Stick your fingers into the soil or use a soil moisture sensor to check how dry your soil is and when your plant needs a drink.

Humidity Requirements

Watermelon Peperomias are tropical plants, which means in their natural environment then are used to higher levels of humidity. If you live in a drier or more arid region then you may want to consider investing in a humidifier or you can buy a plant mister. If you are choosing to mist your plants then try to do this daily or every other day.

Another option to increase humidity for your plants is to place bowls or glasses of water around your plants. This will add moisture to the air as the water evaporates.

If you’re not sure whether you live in a humid region or not then you can buy a humidity detector to measure the level of moisture in your air.

Soil Requirements

Choose a potting mix that is well draining for your Watermelon Peperomia, we would recommend using perlite to help the water move through your soil to prevent the roots from sitting in water.

We would recommend the Espoma Organic Perlite from Amazon.

This species of Peperomia can also tolerate being root bound so feel free to go for a tight fit when choosing your pot rather than one that’s a bit too big. This also gives you a bit of leniency over when to repot your plant.

Temperature Requirements

A Watermelon Peperomia likes to be a bit warmer due to it coming from a tropical environment. It will not do well in freezing temperatures or near to a draught. A warm temperature will also help your Peperomia to grow.

So to summarise, your Watermelon Peperomia requires:

• Bright indirect light
• Regular waterings
• Well draining soil
• A humid environment
• A Warm environment

If you find your Peperomia isn’t doing too well then try and change one of these conditions at a time so you can work out what the problem is with your plant.

Our Top Recommended Resource!

Our number one recommended resource for Watermelon Peperomia care is a good humidifier and our top pick is the Levoit Humidifier that you can find on Amazon.

• Large capacity 6L
• Ultrasonic warm and cool mist
• Touch control & Remote Control
• Smart sensor for automatic humidity adjustments

Downsides

• Expensive compared to other humidifiers

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Watermelon Peperomia FAQ

Now we’ve looked at Watermelon Peperomia care let’s check out some of the most commonly asked questions about this type of Peperomia and see if they can help you with your plant growing.

Why Is My Watermelon Peperomia Drooping?

There are lots of reasons your leaves could be drooping so you have to look at it’s environment to try and diagnose the issue. This may be difficult at first but as you develop your green fingers it will become easier.

• Is the soil too moist?
• Is the soil too dry?
• Is the plant in a cold location or next to a draught?

Work your way through the different possibilities before diagnosing the issue with your plant. The main issue that will cause this plant to droop is unwatering. If the plant is thirsty then you will notice the leaves beginning to droop. This should be corrected when you water it and you should notice the leaves of the plant bouncing right back.

Can You Propagate Watermelon Peperomia In Water?

Yes they can be propagated in water, you simply take a leaf with the stem intact and place it into water. You can also propagate the plant in soil. If you take a leaf with part of the stem attached and place it into soil then your cutting should start to root and a new plant will begin growing in no time.

 Is Watermelon Peperomia A Succulent?

Although they have thick succulent leaves, it isn’t actually a succulent itself, and because of this requires different care than you would give a succulent, such as greater humidity, less intense light and more frequent waterings.

Where Does The Watermelon Peperomia Come From?

The Watermelon Peperomia is native to South America but can now be found all over the world thanks to plant nurseries and international shipping. However, it’s important to remember the plants origins when you are thinking about its care as you will need to try and recreate its natural environment in your home setting in order to help it thrive.

How Big Will My Watermelon Peperomia Grow?

A Watermelon Peperomia will grow to be around 12 inches tall, making it a perfect houseplant for small spaces. Although your Peperomia won’t grow to a large size, if you want more of it around your home then you can take cuttings and make new watermelon peperomia plants.