Peperomia obtusifolia – Baby Rubber Plant

Peperomia obtusifolia Plant is an attractive decoration on a table or desktop.  It is a favourite houseplant because of its beautiful thick stem and elliptic green shiny leaves. Leaves are waxy in appearance. Baby rubber plant may produce spikes of green-white flowers in spring and autumn. It is a low maintenance plant and looks great on small tables and shelves which makes it apt for home and office decor and a gift idea. A regular wipe down with a damp cloth makes the pepper face Plant leaves shimmer. The plant needs enough oxygen on roots, include perlite or coarse gravel mixture to receive air circulation otherwise, plants will start wilting. Peperomia can be propagated with cuttings.   

Scientific Name: Peperomia Obtusifolia
Common Names: Peperomia, Baby rubber plant, Pepper Face, American baby rubber plant
Family: Piperaceae
Origin: Native to Florida, Mexico
Toxicity: Non-toxic to Dogs and Cats
Use: Purifies the Air

Peperomia obtusifolia Care

Light: bright or moderate light and also tolerate shade. Avoid direct sun. Grow under fluorescent lights well, making them ideal for the office or flat.

Soil: Well-drained soil or potting mix

Water: Do not overwater. Water from below, moderately but consistently during the growing season. Allow the top one inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering during the winter season. Susceptible to rot if soils are kept too moist.

Temperature: Wetness and cold winter temperatures must be avoided. It requires an ideal room temperature between 65 – 75 °F / 18 -24 °C. Avoid temperatures below 60°F.

Fertilizer: Fertilize with a diluted half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer. Do not fertilize during the winter season.

Pruning: Peperomia obtusifolia plants can be pruned anywhere along the stem. If stems and leaves begin overgrowing you can pinch out the top of certain stems to stop growth, otherwise, they begin to grow spindly and out of shape in appearance. New growth develops from the nodes just below the cut in the stem.

Propagation: It can be easily propagated by leaf cuttings.

Pests and Diseases: There are no serious pest or disease problems. Leaf spots may occur.

Maximum Height: Approximate 12 inches

Flower: Greenish – White Spikes up to 5 inches