We are going to explore all things raindrop peperomia including the care and how to propagate raindrop peperomia. These beautiful and fun plants are great for plant lovers of all kinds! No matter if you have a green thumb or not, these plants are the perfects ones to start with. Plus, what’s not to love about the beautiful heart shaped leaves that are so shiny!
Peperomia Raindrop Plant
A raindrop peperomia plant is a beautiful green plant with leaves that are shaped to resemble a raindrop. These are primarily tropical plants, that are known for being low maintenance, and are a beautiful addition to your plant collection.
In most areas across North America these plants are considered an indoor plant, because of their love for warmer temperatures. However, they can be planted outside, in areas such as South America and Central America.
In a few select locations in North America, such as USDA zones 10 through 12 (USDA) they can be planted outside. In these regions where they thrive outdoors due to the warm temperatures and humid environment, they will grow best when they are planted in partial shade.
Common Names for Raindrop Peperomia
Raindrop peperomia are known by a few other names in addition to “raindrop peperomia”. Some of the more common names include coin-leaf peperomia, and radiator plants. They received the name radiator plants, because of their love for warm humid locations.
Peperomia Plants Characteristics
These beautiful plants are a luscious green color, that have heart-shaped leaves covering the plants. The raindrop peperomia typically only grows up to a foot high, so is a great houseplant when you don’t have a lot of space to work with.
This plant is known for its shiny leaves that are very glossy in appearance. The leaves of this plant also are very thick in texture. When you touch a raindrop peperomia’s leaves it almost feels like touching a succulent, but they are in no way related to succulents.
Peperomia Raindrop vs. Pilea Peperomioides
Raindrop peperomias are sometimes confused with pilea peperomioides. Although these two plants are not related at all, they do have a similar appearance.
Even though they do look similar, these two plants do not originate from the same location. Raindrop Peperomia comes from Central and South America, but the Pilea Peperomioides originate from China.
Pilea peperomioides are known as the Chinese money plant because their shiny leaves have an appearance of coins. Though these plants are very different from the type of money plant those of us in North America might be picturing.
These two plant species are also different in the way they can reproduce or be propagated.
Pilea peperomioides send out runners from the mother plant to grow baby plants. Raindrop peperomia plants have thick stems and don’t send out runners. Instead raindrop peperomias can be reproduced from a cutting.
Peperomia Polybotrya Propagation
There are two main ways that raindrop peperomia plants can be propagated. Those two ways are in water, and in soil. Propagating these plants in water tends to be a little bit easier than doing it in soil, but you can choose the best method for yourself.
Propagating Peperomia Raindrop in Water
Usually propagating raindrop peperomia in water is the easiest method of the two. All you need to do this is the mother plant, a jar or glass of water, and some scissors. Then you simply cut a stem with a few leaves and place it into the water until it grows its own roots.
Below is a walkthrough of the step by step process you will want to follow for the water method.
Propagating Peperomia Raindrop in Soil
Although a little more difficult, you can also propagate raindrop peperomia in soil. To do this you will first want to be sure you have a small pot, potting mix such as peat moss or per perlite, something that will not hold too much water.
You will also need some rooting hormone to get the new plant started. Even though this way to reproduce raindrop peperomia is a little more complicated, it can help you reproduce a nice healthy new plant.
Let’s jump into the details for these two methods, so that you can walk through the step-by-step process of how to propagate raindrop peperomia. It’s a lot of fun to watch your new plants begin to grow!
Raindrop Peperomia Plants: How to Propagate
How to Propagate Raindrop Peperomia in Water
Step 1: Stem cuttings
Start by selecting a stem you want to cut from the mother plant. Ideally this should be a stem with just a few leaves. When you find a good looking stem, go ahead and cut it off of the parent plant.
Step 2: Jar of water
Next place the cut stem in a jar or a glass, and fill it most of the way with water. Make sure that your cutting is not completely submerged. Only the stem should be in the water.
Place the jar of water with the cutting in indirect water. Change the water every 2 to 3 days to help prevent the stem from rotting.
Step 3: New roots
Keep an eye on the cutting, as you change the water. Changing the water in the jar will help new roots to grow. Soon you will see new roots begin to grow on the cutting. When you see them growing, you can pot the plant in fresh soil.
Step 4: Small plants
To pot the new baby plant, you will want to place it in a small pot, with a well-drained soil mixture. Then place the young plant in indirect sunlight to help it get off to a good start.
How to Propagate Raindrop Peperomia in Soil
Step 1: Leaf cuttings in soil
Begin by examining the mother plant for a good looking stem with a few leaves. Then cut the stem off of the parent plant, and dip the tip of the stem into a rooting hormone.
Plant the stem in a small pot with potting soil. To help the plant maintain some humidity around the base of the new plant, cover the top of the pot with plastic such as plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag. The idea is to cover the top of the pot, around the plant cutting.
Step 2: New growth
Place the plant cutting in indirect sunlight and watch it for new growth. After a few weeks, you can give the plant cutting a gentle tug, to see if it has developed roots. If it resists, this is a likely sign that roots have begun to grow.
Step 3: New plants
When your new plant had developed a root system of its own, remove the plastic bag covering the pot, and keep the new plant in indirect sunlight watering it occasionally.
Ideal Temperature and Humidity
Raindrop peperomias are a type of tropical plants that love humid conditions and warm temperatures. To keep the plant happy and healthy, be sure to try your best to provide it high humidity, but don’t spray the leaves with a spray bottle. It will also love it when it is kept in warmer temperatures.
Raindrop Peperomia Soil Needs
Well Drained Soil Mix. These plants will be happiest when they are planted in a well-drained soil mixture. Some great options include peat moss potting mix, perlite, or even your basic houseplant potting soil. Planting it in well-drained soil will help prevent the plant from wilting and from becoming waterlogged.
Don’t overwater. Raindrop Peperomia plants are a type of plant that holds a lot of water. Like succulents the plants themselves hold in a lot of moisture. Because of this it’s very important that they don’t get watered too much.
Peperomia Polybotrya Care
Indirect Sunlight. Raindrop peperomia plants will be the happiest when they are kept in indirect sunlight. As houseplants they should not be kept in direct sunlight. Ideally an east or west facing window will make the plant happiest. Avoid direct sunlight exposure.
How to Water. First make sure that your plant is in a pot with drainage holes in the bottom with a tray underneath it. Then let the plant dry out, meaning that at least the top half of the pot should be completely dry before you consider watering it again. When you water it, water it thoroughly until water runs from the bottom of the pot. Make sure that there is no standing water when you finish.
Liquid Fertilizer. Use liquid fertilizer that is diluted to half strength to help fertilize the plant. This should be applied during the summer growing season, and not typically during the winter months.
Repotting. Usually, raindrop peperomia plants are slow growing and only need to be repotted every two to three years. This plant specifically prefers to be slightly root bound, so it is important to not repot it very often.
Common Problems With Peperomia
Excess Water. Having too much water or being watered too often is one of the most common problems with coin leaf peperomia. They prefer to be slightly neglected and dry out in between waterings.
Root Rot. Root rot can happen when the plants are watered too much or too often.
Bumpy Leaves. Sometimes peperomia raindrop plants will develop bumps or blisters on the leaves. This is not something that will spread to other plants. You can trim the bumpy leaves as new healthy ones begin to grow.
Bugs. You may encounter red spider mites or mealy bugs infesting plants.
Bright Light. Sometimes plant lovers get overzealous and become worried that plants are not receiving enough light. Raindrop peperomias prefer to be kept in bright indirect light, near a west or east-facing window.
Yellow Leaves. If your plant develops yellow leaves or leggy stems, this may be a sign that it is not getting enough water or too much water. Try watering it thoroughly if it’s dry, so that the water flows from the holes in the bottom it its pot, then let it dry out before watering it again.
Yellow Spots. There are several different reasons your plant may have yellow spots on it. The most common reason is because it is overwatered. It could also be underwatered, have a lack of humidity, too much sun exposure, be experiencing pests, or have issues with fertilizers.
Quick Facts About Raindrop Peperomia:
Native: South and Central America
Genus: Peperomia
Scientific Name: Peperomia Polybotrya
Soil: Drains easily
Sunlight: Indirect
Water: Let dry halfway before watering thoroughly
Propagation: Root in water or soil
Plant Characteristics: Thick green stems, usually 12 to 15 inches in height, with heart shaped leaves.
Peperomia Plants are known for being Low Maintenance Plants
Raindrop peperomia plants are beautiful green leafy plants that have heart shaped leaves. Usually, these plants grow to be a foot tall, and make great houseplants in most locations.
These plants love warm temperatures, and high humidity. Plus, these beautiful plants do well with neglect, because they actually prefer to not be watered too much.
Coin-Leaf Peperomia
Raindrop peperomia are a beautiful tropical plant that can be grown indoors, or outside in tropical locations. This plant is easy to propagate in water, or in soil, and makes a fun and easy houseplant for anyone wanting to give it a try!
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