How to Grow Peperomia Obtusifolia Baby Rubber Plant

Whether it’s an office tabletop or adding flair to your home, give the joyful Peperomia obtusifolia baby rubber plant a try.

Yes, we knew saying the word out loud leaves a lot of slosh on the tongue. We suggest that you call it by its common name instead, Baby Rubber Plant or Pepper Face Plant. Now, that’s better.

This one is a subtropical rainforest evergreen and a member of about 1600 species of the Peperomia genus. It has glossy, green leaves that are obovate in shape. Baby rubber plant has a bushy appearance and can reach up to 1 foot tall.

It can grow as ground cover in the shade, a low-growing potted indoor plant, or as a hanging garden plant.

Now, are there any special requirements in Baby Rubber plant care? Let’s find out.

Botanical Name: Peperomia Obtusifolia

Common Name: Baby Rubber Plant or Pepper Face

Family Group: Piperaceae

Blossom: Green White

Growth: Bushy, Compact, and Upright

Growth Rate: Trailing growth up to 4 feet per year

Flowering Period: Summer until autumn

Origin: Central and South America

Soil: Well-drained

Soil pH: Neutral to acidic

Sun Exposure: Full sun partial shade

Toxic: Slightly-toxic

You will adore this plant for its deep green and round foliage. The stems are a deep red and fit into smaller spaces well with their compact growing habit. You can hang the baby rubber plants as it trails in the right conditions.

Obtusifolia Baby Rubber Plant Care Basics

Peperomia obtusifolia

Whether you have the variegated or non-variegated type of baby rubber plants, most of the plant care basics are the same. The only difference is that the variegated species need more light to help bring out those beautiful colors and patterns.

To help you properly raise your Peperomia obtusifolia, we’ve prepared a number of tips you can follow.

Best Potting Mix

The Peperomia obtusifolia depends on good drainage to prevent root rot. Therefore, there needs to have a well-draining potting mix and a container with sufficient holes. A mixture of peat moss, sand, and loam makes a well-aerated medium that favors a good supply of oxygen for the roots.

A soil pH ranging from 6 to 8 is most preferred by the Peperomia obtusifolia baby rubber plant. Make sure to check using a soil pH meter.

Lighting Needs

Peperomia light

Lighting Requirement

Lighting depends on what type of Baby Rubber plant you’re dealing with. Do you have the one with green leaves? Then, they thrive in bright indirect light and need shelter from the direct sun. For indoor placement, you can put them at the east or west-facing window.

The color-leafed or variegated Peperomia obtusifolia prefers a bright spot with only a few hours of the morning and late afternoon sun. If the room has a low light condition, you have to provide additional artificial light sources.

One sign that your variegated peperomia needs more light is if the leaves are starting to lose their variegation. If that happens, expose your Peperomia obtusifolia variegata to sunlight for 2 to 6 hours sun.

Check our best indoor plants available in Plantly.

Watering Needs

You can water Peperomia with less difficulty. Just wait for the top layers of the soil to dry. Once you observe this, you may proceed with watering your Peperomia obtusifolia. However, don’t allow for the rest of the ground to totally dry up.

During winter, you can give your plant less water. Make sure to use tepid, distilled, or rainwater. While watering, it is best to water the ground directly and not the fleshy leaves or the stems. So, watering from below works better.

Remember that this houseplant is succulent-like. It has the ability to store water in its leaves and stems and efficiently use them during drought conditions. Thus, overwatering should be avoided to prevent the roots from rotting. Normally, watering peperomia once a week will already suffice.

Temperature Requirement

When it comes to temperature, a range between 65 to 75oF (18 to 24oC) is a pleasant condition for your Baby Rubber plant. The warm environment provided by room temperatures makes the peperomia happy.

A temperature lower than 50oF (10oC) is no longer ideal. Your plant can possibly acquire damage from the frost.

Keep your baby rubber plant away from hot or cold drafts. So, it’s best to keep it away from an AC, or heating vent. The leaves could possibly start to dry out from the heat or can go into cold shock standing for too long in drafts.

Humidity Requirement

In South America, the Peperomia obtusifolia grows in shady areas and gets moderate light. Therefore, it makes sense to place these houseplants in a place with average humidity.

Yet, some extra humidity does help. So, go ahead and give it a regular misting, especially when the air gets too dry. Do this early in the morning and do not during the night!

Another great option is to use a pebble tray. This pebble tray can be filled with water until half the height of the pebbles is reached. Then, the potted Peperomia obtusifolia, baby rubber can be placed on top.

You may also group your Peperomia obtusifolia with your other houseplants to share company and extra moisture.

misting

Yet, some extra humidity does help. So, go ahead and give it a regular misting, especially when the air gets too dry. Do this early in the morning and do not during the night!

Another great option is to use a pebble tray. This pebble tray can be filled with water until half the height of the pebbles is reached. Then, the potted Peperomia obtusifolia, baby rubber can be placed on top.

You may also group your Peperomia obtusifolia with your other houseplants to share company and extra moisture.

Fertilizer 

You can provide your Rubber Plant, Peperomia obtusifolia with a balanced fertilizer twice a month during spring and summer. Always use a houseplant fertilizer that’s diluted to half of its original strength.

In winter, only feed your plant once a month. It’s best not to overfeed because this plant is not a heavy feeder, after all. Too much fertilizer could just lead to brown spots on the leaves.

In the first year of cultivation or after transplanting, it won’t be necessary to provide fertilizer. You can start fertilizing only a year after. Some great options are worm compost followed by a light compost layer during spring. Only a 1/4 inch of each is enough for this small plant.

Potting

potting baby rubber plant

Potting

The root system of the Peperomia obtusifolia is small and it doesn’t mind getting pot-bound. Therefore, it doesn’t need frequent transplanting. You can repot yours every five years or once you see the roots growing out of the drainage holes.

Repotting is a way to provide a fresh potting mix for the peperomia. Luckily, you only need to increase the size of the pot from four to six inches or six to eight inches. Make sure it has sufficient drainage holes.

Repotting is also the best time to propagate your plant to produce more peperomias.

Propagation

The best way to propagate your Baby Rubber plants is through stem tip cuttings. Follow these steps:

Stem Tip Cuttings

  1. From the mature, healthy stems of the Baby Rubber plant, make an 8cm long cutting with at least three leaves. Do this below the leaf node.

  2. Before proceeding, remove the lower leaves.

  3. Now, place the stem cuttings in a fresh potting mix. You have the option to dip them in a rooting hormone before you plant them.

  4. Once the cuttings are planted, place a plastic bag to form a dome over it. This will help keep the moisture intact around the newly propagated plant.

  5. Place them in a bright warm spot but not in direct sunlight.

  6. Keep the ground moist but not overly wet. Wait for the roots to develop. It will take about 5 weeks.

  7. Remove the dome from time to time to water and help prevent mold build-up.

  8. You can remove the dome totally after the cuttings have shown signs of new growth such as emerging of leaves.

Growth Zone

If you live in the USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12, then that’s good news. Both the Peperomia obtusifolia green and Peperomia obtusifolia Variegata cultivars thrive in these growing zones.

Make it a habit to check if the species you’re planning to purchase is suitable in your area. Otherwise, you’d just be wasting your money if these plants die because the climate isn’t ideal for their growth.

Peperomia Obtusifolia Diseases & Pests

Part of Peperomia obtusifolia care is dealing with possible difficulties brought on by pests and diseases. Here are some telltale signs and how you can take care of them.

Dying Leaves

This can be due to a lack of sunlight or lack of moisture in the air. The best is to provide your Peperomia obtusifolia species with a bit more light or misting.

If the current location of your peperomia has low light, better transfer it somewhere well-lit. Observe how the leaves respond to added light.

Wilting

This condition can be caused by root rot which is a result of overwatering. If you are unsure, it is best to remove your plant from the container to check for signs of root rot.

If there are mushy roots, remove them without harming the healthy roots. Clean the vessel before placing it back in fresh soil.

The leaves shrivel 

It can be due to accumulated salt in the ground. Those salts could lead to soil salinity wherein the water is drawn away from the root zone. The result is dehydration of your peperomias.

It’s best to give the soil a flush of water twice a year to remove those salts. You can do this by gently running water through the pot and allowing it to drain well. Also, avoid overfertilizing your houseplants.

Curling or drooping leaves

There’s a high chance that your Baby Rubber plant is not getting the right amount of water needed to thrive. If this is the case, all you need is to water your baby rubber plant Peperomia obtusifolia. The plant will easily recover for sure.

However, if the plant isn’t dehydrated at all, then, it might be the other way around. Overwatering can also cause leaves to droop. This is normally accompanied by yellowing of the foliage.

Furthermore, it can also be a sign of an infestation caused by pests such as spider mites. We recommend you inspect the leaves on the underside to see if there are pests present. If your Baby Rubber plants are indeed infested, we recommend spraying them with some Neem oil.

If it does not work, try using predatory mites to help.

Obtusifolia Peperomia Varieties and Similar Plants

Do you want to add colorful foliage without too much work to your exotic plant collection? Then these Peperomia varieties are sure to catch your attention.

Peperomia Argyreia

watermelon peperomia

The Watermelon Peperomia is a gorgeous variety of this plant with rounded yet pointed leaves. The foliage is dark green with a silvery lightish green stripe looking like a watermelon. The plant works well in tight spaces where you want a splash of color and life.

Peperomia Rosso

peperomia rosso

Metallic Peperomia also has pointed leaves with dark green and a silvery sheen, while the bottom of the leaf is a deep red. The plant flowers are in bright indirect light, and it is ideal if you have space with less natural light.

Peperomia Prostrata

peperomia prostrata

The String of Turtles Peperomia is becoming a popular houseplant. It has round tiny leaves and grows slender, trailing like vines resembling a turtle’s shell. You notice spotted light/dark green patterns on the leaves.

The plant looks fabulous in a hanging basket to cascade over a shelf or table.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Peperomia obtusifolia provides you with many benefits, from reducing the carbon dioxide levels to increasing humidity in your living space. Furthermore, it helps remove certain pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and benzene.

To add to the mix, it reduces airborne dust levels and keeps the temperature down. Imagine what this plant can do for you in your home. Just amazing.

Peperomia obtusifolia is considered the wealth plant as it attracts good fortune, wealth, and abundance. The round leaf symbolizes prosperity and money in “feng shui.”

The Peperomia obstusifolia, baby rubber plant needs occasional misting especially if the living space has dry air.

Yes, the baby rubber plant is one of the semi-succulent plant that is easy to grow and care. They require less maintenance and less watering.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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