Not sure what to do #Peperomia #SadPlant
I’ve tried everything! More light, less light, succulent soil and even a terracotta pot and this poor thing keeps having soft leaves. I treat it as a succulent and it just doesn’t seem happy. What am I doing wrong? I love this plant so much and hate seeing it like this.
8ft to light, direct
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 5 days ago
20
Best Answer
I’m just going to put this out there. It’s going to contradict what everyone is saying.
Peperomia Hope is indeed a semi-succulent. So what that means is that when it drinks water it stores it in its leaves. So you are right it sort of needs to be treated like a succulent. But, it won’t like to be bone dry for long. From what you wrote you are doing everything right. So, congratulations!
I wanted to reassure you, when I zoom in on your plant it looks very healthy. The leaves are nice and green there are not any dried out leaves, yellowing leaves, or anything else that would give me concern.
It is norrmal for a Peperomia Hope to have soft leaves, that is just what they feel like, they also trail, just like yours is. They do not get very tall.
They are an epiphyte meaning they grow on trees in nature and although yours is a hybrid and actually does not exist naturally in nature. It still exhibits the growth patterns of both Peperomia deppeana and Peperomia quadrifolia, its parent plants.
So since it’s an epiphyte it would not tolerate wet soil for long. It is also slow growing so she needs patience specially through fall and winter, don’t expect much growth through this period.
So, in my opinion. Relax, enjoy your plant and continue what you are doing! It looks really good and will change as it grows, she just needs time. And, keep up the good work!
Peperomia Hope is indeed a semi-succulent. So what that means is that when it drinks water it stores it in its leaves. So you are right it sort of needs to be treated like a succulent. But, it won’t like to be bone dry for long. From what you wrote you are doing everything right. So, congratulations!
I wanted to reassure you, when I zoom in on your plant it looks very healthy. The leaves are nice and green there are not any dried out leaves, yellowing leaves, or anything else that would give me concern.
It is norrmal for a Peperomia Hope to have soft leaves, that is just what they feel like, they also trail, just like yours is. They do not get very tall.
They are an epiphyte meaning they grow on trees in nature and although yours is a hybrid and actually does not exist naturally in nature. It still exhibits the growth patterns of both Peperomia deppeana and Peperomia quadrifolia, its parent plants.
So since it’s an epiphyte it would not tolerate wet soil for long. It is also slow growing so she needs patience specially through fall and winter, don’t expect much growth through this period.
So, in my opinion. Relax, enjoy your plant and continue what you are doing! It looks really good and will change as it grows, she just needs time. And, keep up the good work!
@Jessa-Dawn ok so this plant is a peperomia, not a succulent. Very deceptive, I know. Mine like chunky airy soil that when you water it drains right through, and it likes to completely dry out in between watering with lots of light. If you’re using succulent soil it might be too heavy for the roots and suffocate the plant? You can add chunky perlite to succulent soil at a…
Ohhh, 50/50 ratio?
Ohhh, 50/50 ratio?
@TheOddAsity I know it’s not a succulent but I’ve read a lot of things that say to treat it as one 🤷♀️. The succulent soil I’m using is super light and it also has perlite that I added in but not 50/50. I just feel like I’m putting in through so much.
@Jessa-Dawn so mine is n chunky soil from the min I got it. When I water it, it drains right out. So I usually water about once a week because the chunky substrate dries quickly. And it’s in a south- southwest window. Here’s a pic of the substrate I mix up.
I know there’s lots of info out there. I haven’t ever read to treat it like a succulent, that’s not to say you are wrong. I belong to a subreddit where all the ppl with a P. Hope recommended really chunky soil. I got one in a 2.5” pot and now it’s in a 4” pot because it grew so fast,
I’ve had it since June.
I know there’s lots of info out there. I haven’t ever read to treat it like a succulent, that’s not to say you are wrong. I belong to a subreddit where all the ppl with a P. Hope recommended really chunky soil. I got one in a 2.5” pot and now it’s in a 4” pot because it grew so fast,
I’ve had it since June.
Hi Jessica, what I see on the photo, and from reading the Oasis, is that your peperomia will benefit from longer exposure to light. Her foliage is not dense, stems seem to be longer., green is not as green as it should be. These signs are the signs of elongation (searching for light)
Please, give your plant about 6 hours exposure to shady light (if you know what I mean).
From my experience, peperomias are not that picky about the soil. Regular or succulent soil are fine, you just water more often in succulent soil.
Good luck with your lovely peperomia.
Please, give your plant about 6 hours exposure to shady light (if you know what I mean).
From my experience, peperomias are not that picky about the soil. Regular or succulent soil are fine, you just water more often in succulent soil.
Good luck with your lovely peperomia.
@Jessa-Dawn Provide bright, indirect light, water when the top inch of soil is dry, ensure well-draining soil, maintain average room temperature and humidity, and avoid overwatering; only fertilize lightly during the growing season with a diluted solution; this plant thrives in a spot with moderate to bright indirect light and prefers to dry out slightly between waterings. Check out this website for more info: https://www.thespruce.com/peperomia-hope-growing-guide-5235787#:~:text=Give%20this%20plant%20plenty%20of,humidity%20is%20average%20or%20above.
@TheOddAsity I didn’t take it that way so no worries! I’m willing to try the change in soil. Would peat moss also work in the mix?
@SvelteKingfern I have moved it since I took that photo. My house is really close to my neighbors on both sides so a lot of natural light is blocked out and limited. I do understand what you mean about the lighting! Thank you!
@Jessa-Dawn honestly, I don’t like peat soil 😬…😂. I’m sorry! I’m not being helpful with this comment. I haven’t used it in almost a year. I feel like it stays super wet, and it breeds gnats if you aren’t careful. I lost a bunch of plants last year and all of them were in it. Maybe it’s just where I live (I think our zip codes have an impact on these things). I personally love coco coir as it creates air pockets, and is resistant to fungus gnats. And I use it to build a more custom substrate. (1 part coco coir, 1 part charcoal, 5 parts coco chips, 5 parts chunky perlite). I use it on everything except succulents and begonias.
@TheOddAsity actually, that’s very helpful! I live in NV and it’s extremely dry so I may try it out at some point but now I’m hesitant. 😅
@Azplantchic oh. Thank you! Lots of trial and error. And I’m putting that sphag/bark mix in my back pocket. That’s gonna help with a plant or two.
@SuperbRaspfern thank you, that gives some reassurance! The leaves just feel not as thick and sturdy as they once did. I realized that my soil was indeed holding way too much moisture so I swapped it out for regular soil and perlite. I’m hoping it will stop dropping leaves which it was doing.
@Ginasplants no pests! I put it in a terracotta pot with chunky soil and pebbles to keep the leaves dry. I think it’s helping!