how to care + 5 reasons to have this beautiful plant at home

A Peperomia watermelon, or Peperomia argyreiait is a very eye-catching garden plant which is gaining more and more space.

The leaves are rounded, glossy and striped, very similar to watermelon rind. The dark green with grayish stripes gives this special plant a charm. And as if it were a special touch, it also has red petioles.

Cool information about this plant is that it is native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. And it is very easy to grow, making it a great alternative for any garden. If you are interested in this species, you need to learn more about it and the ways of cultivation.

What to know about Peperomia watermelon?

The watermelon peperomia It is a small plant, reaching a maximum of 30 centimeters in height and is typical of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Therefore, it grows easily in a domestic environment and does not require much specific care. It produces long inflorescences, similar to small cream or white spikes.

The color of the leaves is dark green, with grayish stripes, very similar to watermelon rind. This color stands out even more when you look at the reddish stem. As it is a plant from the Atlantic forest, it is used to living in shady environments, so direct light burns its leaves.

Therefore, you need to leave it in a diffused light environment. Therefore, It is excellent for indoor environmentslike the kitchen and living room, for example.

You can also leave the plant in windows that do not receive direct sunlight or in shady places in your garden. But be careful because the plant does not appreciate direct light, but needs a little light. Sun until 10 am can be beneficial.

How to care for a Watermelon Peperomia?

A watermelon peperomia is a species that has short roots. That’s why she can be easily grown in small pots or lower containers.

You can even use bowls and hanging baskets, but always make sure that the container has holes so that the water can drain. When assembling the pots, use a drainage layer to prevent water from accumulating in the root area.

• Afterwards, read Boa constrictor plant: why it’s good to have at home + care tips and inspiration photos

Can you wet the leaves of the Watermelon Peperomia?

If you look closely you will notice that the leaves of the watermelon peperomia are fleshy and softsomewhat resembling succulents.

Therefore, you should never exaggerate the amount of water made available to the vegetable. Then, try to add the water directly to the soil little by little, until it starts to flow through the holes in the pot.

Do not wet the leaves as this causes them to rot and fall off. And wait until the soil is very dry before watering the plant again.

Why is the Watermelon Peperomia curling its leaves?

If your watermelon peperomia has curled leaves, this could be a sign that the plant is drying out too much or that there is too much sunlight. In this case, move it to one that does not receive direct sunlight.

The ideal land for planting

Many people do not give it due importance, but just like any other vegetable, the Planting watermelon peperomia requires care even when choosing the soil.

You need to know which mixture is most suitable, as the substrate must have good drainage to avoid excess moisture. To achieve the ideal substrate, prepare the pot as follows:

• 1 part of topsoil;
• 1 part of organic compost: tanned manure or earthworm humus;
• 1 part of coarse washed river sand.

Tips for fertilizing

A Watermelon peperomia is a quiet plant that doesn’t require much in terms of fertilization.. You can use common liquid products, just following the manufacturer’s instructions.

But be careful not to apply fertilizer when it is close to winter or during the coldest months of the year. This is because during this period the plant uses less energy. But when it starts to warm up, you should add earthworm humus to the soil to replace lost organic matter.

A really cool homemade tip is to add eggshell flour or coffee powder. This helps by providing nutrients to the vegetable.

How do you know if the Watermelon Peperomia is healthy?

One of the signs that your watermelon peperomia is healthy are the leaves. If they are vibrant, firm and have intense colors, this is a sign of health! If they are wrinkled, dry or sticky, it could be a problem.

Furthermore, a healthy plant generally has constant growth. Then, observe whether there are new sprouts and whether the vegetable is developing in a balanced way.

All about Peperomia watermelon

How to obtain a watermelon Peperomia seedling?

A Watermelon peperomia is an easy-to-grow plant that reproduces quickly by dividing clumps..

But you can also reproduce easily through stem cuttings. To do this, you need young leaves that are already fully developed. Keep a stem 5 to 8 centimeters long and then place the cutting in the vase you prepared.

At this stage, the soil must be very moist and the pot must be in a place with plenty of light. But always without direct sunlight.

In addition to this way, it is possible to reproduce the watermelon peperomia using pieces of leaf. A single leaf can be cut into four parts and placed on damp earth.

These parts will take root, but this may take longer than six weeks. So, you need to be patient and keep the soil very moist throughout this period. Once the plant is developing well, you can transfer the crop to a larger pot.

Why have a watermelon peperomia at home?

After reading this text, you must have felt like have a watermelon peperomia in your home. But if you’re still not convinced, See below the main reasons for this:

1. Cultivation is simple: it likes plenty of humidity, little light and grows quickly when in an appropriate environment;
2. It’s beautiful: The plant has its beauty and makes any environment more charming and pleasant. Furthermore, it attracts attention, but in the right amount;
3. Is Brazilian: as it is native, the watermelon peperomia is adapted to the country’s climate and is easy to develop here;
4. Can be grown in apartments: Those who live in apartments may have difficulty finding species that adapt to shade conditions, but with this plant you won’t have that problem;
5. It is non-toxic: Unlike many garden plants, you don’t have to worry about the toxicity of this species.

Conclusion

Watermelon Peperomia is truly a beautiful and incredible plant that will make any room in your home more beautiful and pleasant, right?

Anyway, to continue seeing more about plants, how about reading What is the secret of the desert rose? How often should it be watered? 9 essential care tips. Or, access our Decoration category and see more tips and ideas.

Updated and edited by Laila Lopes.