One of the top questions any houseplant parent has about their new plant friend is how and when to water it. If you’re asking yourself this question about your new peperomia, don’t worry. We’ve got you! Let’s take a closer look and how often to water a peperomia plant so you can keep that beautiful foliage healthy.
One of our favorite traits of peperomia plants—and one of the many reasons why they’re a favorite among houseplant fanatics—is that they’re fairly drought resistant, which means they aren’t going to shrivel up and die if you miss a watering or water them a few days later than you planned.
Peperomia’s supple, thick leaves hold onto water, which means they can go a little longer without a drink than many other houseplants that need to be watered more often. (We’re looking at you, maidenhair fern!)
We find that the best approach is a more intuitive one. It’s not as tricky as it sounds!
Peperomia are one of the most popular houseplants due to their easy care requirements With their succulent-like leaves and stems, peperomia can store water and adapt to occasional neglect in watering But how often should you water peperomia? Let’s dive into the complete guide on peperomia watering needs.
Overview of Peperomia Water Requirements
In general, peperomia plants should be watered thoroughly once the top inch or two of soil has dried out completely. This usually translates to watering about once every 7-14 days.
However, there are a few factors that can influence how often peperomia need to be watered:
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Type of peperomia Thicker, succulent-like peperomia varieties like P obtusifolia can go longer without water than thinner-leaved types
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Pot size: Plants in smaller pots will dry out faster than those in larger pots.
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Season: Peperomia need less frequent watering in fall/winter (every 2-3 weeks) versus spring/summer (weekly).
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Environment: Warmer, sunnier, lower humidity environments cause faster soil drying.
The best way to determine if your peperomia needs water is to check the soil. If the top inch is dry, it’s time to water.
Signs Your Peperomia Needs Water
It’s important to learn how to recognize when your peperomia is thirsty:
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Soil is dry when checked 1-2 inches deep
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Leaves are limp, droopy or curled inward
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Leaves feel thin or deflated
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Growth is stunted
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Leaves turn yellow
If you see any of these signs, it’s crucial to water your peperomia right away. Allowing it to remain dry for too long can result in leaf drop or plant decline.
Overwatering Peperomia
While peperomia are drought-tolerant, they are susceptible to overwatering, which can be detrimental. Signs your peperomia may be getting too much water include:
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Leaves turn yellow or brown
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Soft, mushy leaves
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Leaf drop
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Foul odor from potting mix
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Mold or rot on leaves/stems
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Slow growth
If you suspect overwatering, allow the soil to fully dry out before watering again. Repotting may be necessary to refresh overly damp soil.
How to Water Peperomia
When watering peperomia, follow these tips:
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Water early morning or late afternoon/evening
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Always water thoroughly until it flows from the drainage holes.
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Water at soil level to avoid wet foliage.
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Use room temperature filtered or distilled water.
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Allow soil to fully dry between waterings.
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Pour away any water in the saucer after 30 minutes.
Bottom-watering peperomia helps ensure the soil gets fully saturated. Allow the pot to soak in a bowl of water for 10-20 minutes until the top of soil is damp.
Adjusting Your Watering Schedule
Pay attention to your specific growing conditions and plant’s needs. Increase frequency during warm months or in arid environments. Decrease in cool weather or humid areas.
If the soil is taking longer than 2 weeks to dry out, try repotting in a fast-draining cactus/succulent mix. Add extra perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage.
Conversely, if your peperomia needs watering every few days, use a soil mix with more peat or coconut coir to help retain moisture.
With a little observation and adjusting, you can easily get a feel for your peperomia’s watering needs! Proper watering is key to keeping these plants looking their best.
Watering Frequency for a Peperomia Plant
That still doesn’t answer your question, does it? The truth is, there’s no cut-and-dried answer to the watering question for any plant. While the tag on your new plant may say to water every 7-10 days, that’s only a guideline!
Many different factors affect how often your peperomia will need water. Drainage of your pot and soil, light, temperature, humidity levels, etc., can all affect how quickly your peperomia will dry out and need a drink.
So the best thing to do is monitor your plant and water when the soil is dry.
What does that actually mean?
Your peperomia’s soil should be completely dry before you water. If you’ve ever grown succulents, peperomia’s water needs are similar.
To test whether the soil is dry, stick your finger into the potting mix as far as it will go. If the soil is completely dry to the touch, it’s time to water.
You can also poke a wooden stick (like a chopstick from your last takeout order) into the soil. If it comes out dry with little to no soil sticking to it, give your peperomia a drink!
The most accurate way, however, to test whether your peperomia is ready to be watered is with a moisture meter. This is my favorite way to keep tabs on all my indoor plants’ water needs, and I recommend that every houseplant parent purchase one! (This is the one I like, if you’re wondering).
Use the meter to test the center of your plant’s root ball. When the meter reads 2 or even 1, water your peperomia. If you’re watering thoroughly, this will probably be every 10-14 days (possibly less during the summer). Check your plant’s soil every few days to make sure you aren’t letting the soil stay dry for too long.
How to Water a Peperomia Plant
Once you’ve determined that your peperomia is thirsty, what’s the best way to water?
Top and bottom watering both work well for peperomia plants. The important thing is that you water thoroughly, let the pot drain completely, and avoid getting water on the leaves. (Don’t forget to add a little Indoor Plant Food to your water to give your peperomia the nutrients it needs to grow and stay healthy!)
To top water your peperomia, simply add water to the soil until it starts to drain out the bottom of the pot. Empty the drainage tray immediately (more than once, if necessary) so your plant isn’t sitting in water.
To bottom water your peperomia, fill a bowl or other container with water and place your peperomia’s pot in the container. The water should reach about a third of the way up the plant’s pot. Let sit for 10 minutes or so, or until the top of the soil just feels damp. Remove the pot from the container and place in a sink to drain for 30-60 minutes.
Peperomia plants are easy to care for and will reward you with lots of beautiful, oblong leaves with spectacular color.
Peperomia Obtusifolia Care | NEED-TO-KNOW Tips ⭐️
FAQ
How do you know if peperomia needs water?
Peperomia typically needs watering every one to two weeks or when the top one to two inches of soil are dry to the touch. If Peperomia exhibits signs of drooping, wilting, shriveled leaves, yellow leaves, brown leaf tips, dead leaves, or slow growth, it’s likely suffering from dehydration.Mar 21, 2023
Do peperomia like to dry out?
Do peperomia plants like lots of water?
Peperomia plants are sensitive to overwatering, so not letting the soil become too moist is important.
How often should I mist my peperomia?
You can mist your Peperomia once a day or once every other day for maximum moistness. Though if you forget even doing them once a week can make a difference.Apr 9, 2020
How much water does a Peperomia need?
The water requirement of peperomia will vary as per the pot or planter used for it. If your peperomia is potted in a plastic pot, it will require less water as plastic pots are not porous and take longer to dry. If you are using a ceramic pot for your peperomia, the water will dry faster and need watering more frequently.
How do you care for a Peperomia plant?
Top and bottom watering both work well for peperomia plants. The important thing is that you water thoroughly, let the pot drain completely, and avoid getting water on the leaves. (Don’t forget to add a little Indoor Plant Food to your water to give your peperomia the nutrients it needs to grow and stay healthy!)
Why does a Peperomia plant need water?
This prevents your plant from sitting in water, which can lead to diseases like root rot . When growing a peperomia plant, your plant will communicate if it is experiencing water stress. Most often, houseplants will let you know if they are not receiving enough water, or if they are receiving too much.
Should you water a Peperomia plant at night?
As plants don’t photosynthesize at night, watering after 6 pm may cause water to pool around the root zone for longer periods, promoting fungal growth and root rot. Generally, peperomia plants grow best when they are watered with rainwater or distilled water.
How do you water a Peperomia plant?
Generally, peperomia plants grow best when they are watered with rainwater or distilled water. The acidity of rainwater helps release micronutrients, such as zinc, manganese, copper, and iron in the potting soil, which are necessary for plant growth. Tap water, on the other hand, is not recommended.
How much humidity does Peperomia need?
Peperomia needs at least a 50% humidity level. Low relative humidity causes the plant to transpire more rapidly, which causes significant water loss for the plant. As a result, you’ll must do more frequent watering. When the plant is actively growing in the spring and summer, it uses more water to produce energy through Photosynthesis.