Watermelon Peperomia
4.3 out of 5 (42 experiences)
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
Also known as
watermelon begonia, Peperomia sandersii and watermelon plant
Taxonomy
Peperomia argyreia
Peperomia
Piperaceae
Piperales
How to care for Watermelon Peperomia
Water
How often to water your Watermelon Peperomia
every 9
Watermelon Peperomia needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Select a city to check sunlight intensity
Finding light for Watermelon Peperomia in your home
a window
Watermelon Peperomia may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Watermelon Peperomia in your home 🏡.
Nutrients
How to fertilize Watermelon Peperomia
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Watermelon Peperomia after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
FAQs
Watermelon Peperomia is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Water Needs
Watermelon Peperomia prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Watermelon Peperomia may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Watermelon Peperomia is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
Humidity
Watermelon Peperomia doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Soil
Watermelon Peperomia does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Watermelon Peperomia should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
It’s common for Watermelon Peperomia to go dormant in the summertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Growth Pattern
Watermelon Peperomia grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Watermelon Peperomia can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Watermelon Peperomia can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Care Summary for Watermelon Peperomia
Watermelon Peperomia
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 9 days
Placement
< 3ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Large, lush leaves 18
Survivor 16
Fast grower 15
Easy to propagate 11
Pet friendly 8
Browns easily 5
Blooms easily 4
Pest magnet 1
11/04/2021
so pretty , stems very thick and new growth extremely fast
Large, lush leaves
Pet friendly
10/28/2021
Wally is my “full-sized” watermelon peperomia and I love this plant. The leaves are gorgeous! We got him at a big box store and he was the best of the worst. But a little TLC, pest treatment, fertilizer and sunshine and he’s showing out! Easy to care for, just water and forget. Check for pests weekly and spray with neem solution every 10days. And watch it thrive!
Fast grower
Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate
Survivor
10/10/2021
This plant is quite tricky to navigate at times but as long as you know it’s needs and the warning signs, you can take care of it pretty easy. Be sure to look for signs of leaf curl as this means it is trying to retain moisture. This plant lovessss water and sucks it up right away. If it doesn’t have enough it drops and can break stems. Also very fragile leaves, be gentle! New leaves pop up all the time, sometimes several at the same time. Very pretty to look at and shimmers in the sunlight!
Fast grower
Browns easily
08/09/2021
Favorite plant ever. It’s so cute and is so easy to care for! I can’t wait to see how it continues to grow.
Large, lush leaves
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
Survivor
07/30/2021
not my fave but she isn’t poisonous so that’s a plus
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
Pet friendly
Blooms easily
07/21/2021
Beautiful and looks like a watermelon design.
Fast grower
06/27/2021
So easy to propagate. see a brown leave or a leave you don’t particularly like the way it looks? Cut it from the stem and cut the leave in half and plant both pieces in some soil and TA DAAA!!!🎊
Easy to propagate
Large, lush leaves
Blooms easily
Survivor
06/17/2021
I love the way this plant looks, however the leaves tend to brown easily and I haven’t seen new growth just yet.
Browns easily
05/26/2021
This plant takes a lot of tender loving care.
Large, lush leaves
Browns easily
Easy to propagate
04/22/2021
Walmart done did this plant dirty so I had to bring him home and show him some love. He is recovering very nicely and has some baby leaves sprouting!
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
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