Peperomia is an easy-to-grow houseplant loved for its beautiful and lush green foliage. But it can be worrying when the lovely peperomia leaves start falling off. Leaf drop is a common issue in peperomias and can occur due to various reasons. The good news is that in most cases you can revive a peperomia with dropping leaves by identifying the cause and taking corrective steps.
What Causes Peperomia Leaves to Drop?
There are several possible reasons why the leaves are falling off your peperomia plant. Here are some of the most common causes:
Overwatering
Overwatering is the number one reason peperomia leaves drop. Peperomia has fleshy leaves and stems where it stores water, so it is sensitive to excess watering. When you overwater, the roots are unable to get oxygen. This damages and rots the roots leading to dropping leaves.
How to fix Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to touch Provide well-draining soil and pot with drainage holes.
Underwatering
On the flip side, if you underwater and the soil dries out completely, it stresses the plant When peperomia doesn’t get enough water, the leaves droop and drop
How to fix: Water when the topsoil feels slightly dry, about 1-2 inches deep. Soak the pot thoroughly and allow excess water to drain out.
Low Humidity
Peperomia thrives in humidity levels between 40-50%. In dry air, the leaves lose moisture faster than the roots can absorb leading to wilting and leaf drop.
How to fix: Mist the leaves daily or use a humidifier. You can also place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water to increase humidity.
Pests
Common peperomia pests like spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and thrips can weaken and damage the plant causing leaf drop. These pests puncture the leaves and suck sap.
How to fix: Check the undersides of leaves and stems for any bugs. Wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap solution.
Diseases
Fungal diseases like botrytis, powdery mildew, and root rot are common in overwatered peperomias. They damage the roots leading to poor nutrient absorption and leaf drop.
How to fix: Avoid overwatering and ensure the soil drains well. Disinfect tools with bleach. Remove affected leaves and isolate the plant. Use a fungicide if the infection is severe.
Cold Drafts
Exposure to cold drafts from AC vents, open doors/windows, or winter temperatures below 50°F can shock peperomias. This causes leaves to yellow, wilt and eventually drop.
How to fix: Move peperomia away from cold drafts and maintain temperatures above 60°F. Place it in a room with a portable heater in winter.
Improper Fertilizing
Too much or too little fertilizer can cause peperomia leaves to drop. Insufficient fertilizer leads to nutrient deficiencies while over-fertilizing damages the roots.
How to fix: Fertilize every 2-4 weeks in the growing season with a balanced diluted liquid fertilizer. Don’t fertilize in winter and flush the soil to remove excess salts.
Incorrect Lighting
Low light prevents peperomia from producing enough energy through photosynthesis. On the other hand, direct hot sunlight scorches the leaves. Both cause leaf loss.
How to fix: Place peperomia near a bright sunny window but out of direct sun. Supplement with a grow light if sunlight is inadequate.
Improper Potting
Potting in a dense mix or too large pot without drainage leads to soggy soil. Congested roots also prevent water and nutrient absorption causing leaves to drop.
How to fix: Repot in a pot one size larger with drainage holes. Use a well-aerated mix, add perlite or sand to improve drainage.
Age
As part of the natural growth cycle, peperomia drops older leaves at the bottom to make way for new growth. This is nothing to worry about.
How to fix: This is natural so no action needed. To encourage new growth, fertilize regularly in the growing season.
How to Prevent Peperomia Leaf Drop
Here are some tips to keep your peperomia healthy and prevent leaves from falling off:
-
Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry between waterings. Stick to a regular watering schedule.
-
Check for pests like spider mites under the leaves regularly and take action immediately.
-
Keep peperomia away from AC vents and drafts. Maintain temperatures above 60°F.
-
Provide bright indirect light from an east or west facing window. Rotate the plant periodically.
-
Humidify the air around peperomia by misting, using a humidifier or pebble tray.
-
Repot every 2-3 years in spring into a slightly bigger pot with drainage holes.
-
Fertilize during the growing months using a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
What to Do if Your Peperomia is Dropping Leaves
If your peperomia already has dropping leaves, follow these steps:
-
First, check the soil moisture and water only if the top inch is dry. Feel the leaves – are they soft or firm?
-
Look for signs of pests on leaves and stems. Treat any infestation found immediately.
-
Prune all damaged, diseased, and dead leaves and stems with sterilized scissors.
-
Move the peperomia to proper lighting and maintain optimal temperature.
-
Consider repotting into fresh well-draining soil to check root health.
-
Stop fertilizing till the plant recovers and flush the soil to remove salts.
With some extra care and TLC, your peperomia will bounce back to good health. The dropping leaves should stop within a few weeks once you fix the underlying issue. Pay attention to its care needs and you can enjoy your peperomia’s gorgeous foliage for years to come!
It can be alarming to notice sudden dramatic leaf drooping on your Peperomia, but don’t be alarmed! This is almost always totally normal, and easily fixed.
Incredibly dry soil
Peperomia don’t like to be kept consistently moist, but be sure you’re not underwatering your plant. Keep a consistent watering schedule–water when the top 2”-3” of the soil are dry.
If you accidentally let your Peperomia’s soil dry out completely, you may see leaves go limp, droop, and possibly drop. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a good soak is in order.
Here’s how to soak-water your plant:
- Place your plant in your sink or tub without the saucer. Fill your basin up with about 3-4″ of water. Make sure the water isn’t hot!
- Allow your plant to soak up water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot for at least 45 min.
- Feel the top of the soil after your plant has been soaking–has the water reached the top 2-3” of soil?
- If not all the soil feels saturated, water your Peperomia slightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation.
- When your plant’s soil is evenly damp, drain the sink/tub and allow the plant to rest while it drains thoroughly. Place the plant back on its saucer and back in its proper spot.
Keep in mind that when the soil goes from bone-dry to saturated, it can cause stress for your Peperomia and may cause leaves to drop. Give it some time to adjust.
Not enough humidity
Your Peperomia will thrive in a slightly humid environment. Increase the humidity around your plant by misting the leaves on a regular basis, using a pebble tray, or moving a humidifier nearby.
Peperomia Obtusifolia Care | NEED-TO-KNOW Tips ⭐️
FAQ
Is it normal for Peperomia to lose leaves?
Keep in mind that when the soil goes from bone-dry to saturated, it can cause stress for your Peperomia and may cause leaves to drop. Give it some time to adjust. Your Peperomia will thrive in a slightly humid environment.
How often should you water a Peperomia plant?
How often should you water a peperomia? Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing the potting soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often when your cactus is in brighter light and less often in lower light.
What does underwatered Peperomia look like?
It is very easy to identify an underwatered Teardrop peperomia. Plant look lacklustre and wrinkled. Some may have dried up completely, turned brown and crispy, or dropped off the plant. And of course, the soil will be completely dried out.
What to do if my plant leaves are falling off?
Over- or Under-Watering
Retaining soil moisture levels is tricky with indoor plants. Leaf drop occurs either because the soil is too wet or too dry. In general, wait until the top inch or so of potting soil feels dry, and then give the plant a thorough soaking.
How to care for a Peperomia plant?
Water is an essential element for the health of your peperomia. The ideal amount of water is required to help your peperomia survive. If the plant is underwatered or overwatered, it will lead to problems such as drying and root rot respectively. These issues will make the plant weak and the leaves of the plant will start to fall off.
Why do Peperomia leaves drop?
Overwatering is considered the main reason why peperomia leaves drop. This is because the plant thrives in wooded areas, and maintaining it elsewhere requires more care. Should you want the plant to flourish, it will be best to be cautious when watering the plant. Sharing is caring!
What happens if you overwater a Peperomia plant?
If the plant is underwatered or overwatered, it will lead to problems such as drying and root rot respectively. These issues will make the plant weak and the leaves of the plant will start to fall off. Thus, providing the right amount of water is very important for the well-being of your peperomia.
What happens if you fertilize a Peperomia plant?
Like any other plant, you must apply fertilizer to the peperomia plant appropriately. Excess fertilizer causes the plant’s roots to rot, preventing them from providing oxygen and nutrients. If left uncorrected, the plant would start withering as the leaves turn yellowish, weaker, and start to drop.
Why do Peperomia leaves curl?
Calcium deficiency can also cause the leaves to curl, resulting from overwatering in a highly acidic medium like peat. Overwatering is considered the main reason why peperomia leaves drop. This is because the plant thrives in wooded areas, and maintaining it elsewhere requires more care.
Is Peperomia Hardy?
Although peperomia is a hardy plant, fertilizers can help your plant grow faster and stronger. However, if excessive fertilizer is applied, it will lead to a severe weakening of the plant. The leaves of the plant will start to become dry and will fall off.