Plants of the genus Peperomia are evergreen.
They are known because they are ideal for decorating interiors, thanks to their small size, which usually does not exceed 20 cm.
Peperomia hope is a fantastic plant to grow indoors.
They tolerate a wide variety of lighting conditions and feature amazing foliage.
As they are not very demanding in watering, they are ideal for giving them away to the clueless who tend to “forget about the plants”.
Depending on the variety, the leaves have different colors: light green, dark green, and even reddish tones.
Peperomia hope is a perennial, smooth, and trailing stems, and its leaves are small, fleshy, and almost round.
Another characteristic is that the leaves are slightly thicker than many other species of peperomias and are light green.
The flowers are generally yellow or white, very small, and usually grouped with dormant upright spikes reminiscent of a mouse’s tail.
Peperomia ‘Hope’ care
As I mention, this is a easy to care for succulent; just follow these simple tips.
Illumination:
As a general rule, they are plants that enjoy having plenty of light but not direct sun.
If you want to have it indoors, the ideal is to put it as close as possible to a window, but where the direct sun does not reach it.
If you decide to put the plant in your garden, try not to expose it directly to the sun, which could cause the leaves to burn.
Watering:
Irrigation should be rather scarce, especially in winter.
The leaves of this succulent store a lot of water, so if we go through the irrigation, we can drown it.
Therefore, in summer water every 10 days in winter every 20 days.
But if the winter is extreme and the temperatures are below 0 ºC/32°F, it is best to water it once a month.
It is better to have the plant go thirsty than to have a waterlogged substrate.
I do not advise you to spray them as the leaves could quickly rot.
Temperature:
Peperomia are plants that give great satisfaction for their rapid growth and easy cultivation.
Optimum cultivation temperatures are: in summer around 24°C/75°F and even more if the plant is guaranteed a fair degree of humidity.
In winter, try not to expose the succulents in temperatures below 13 ºC/55°F, the optimum is around 16 ºC/60°F.
They are very sensitive to cold and frost, so we have to find a place where temperatures stay above 10ºC/50°F.
The optimal temperature for your Peperomia ‘hope’ is between 24ºC/75°F and 16ºC/60°F.
Pruning
Peperomia is generally not pruned. Simply remove the leaves that gradually dry up or spoil to prevent them from becoming vehicles for parasitic diseases.
Take care that the utensil you use for cutting is clean and disinfected (preferably inflame), to avoid infecting the tissues.
Most of the species blooms from June to September, producing the spikelet characteristics that the generally whitish florets bear.
Propagation:
Peperomia hope can be reproduced in various ways. Cuttings, leaves, or division.
The simplest way to reproduce it is by stem cutting or leaf cutting.
Cutting:
To do this, you must cut with a cutting of a vigorous stem about 10 cm long with about five leaves, remove the lowest leaves, and leave only the leaves at the top.
The best time to reproduce the Peperomia is in spring or early summer.
Cuttings usually take root very quickly. However, rooting hormones can be used, to ensure success.
Leaf-cutting:
Peperomia can also reproduce only by planting a leaf. For this, you must choose a leaf in good condition of the plant and bury it right up to the limbus.
In a few days, you will see how the plant takes root, and new leaves begin to sprout.
Substratum:
It is quite tolerant in terms of the type of substrate, but this must be rich in organic matter and optimal drainage.
They are plants that appreciate a spongy and well-drained substrate.
This way, you will avoid any excess humidity that could affect its roots.
Any universal substrate mixed with perlite or coarse sand can be used.
Plagues and diseases:
Excessive watering and waterlogging cause rapid leaf drop and root rot.
If the stems are excessively lengthened, and the leaves lose their nerve and color, it is due to lack of lighting.
The most frequent pests are mealybugs (they are generally located on the underside of the leaves), mites that cause yellowing and deformation of the leaves and slugs and snails that feed on petioles and stems.
Transplant:
The Peperomia is transplanted practically every year, in spring, using a good fertile substrate mixed with peat and a little sand to favor the drainage of the irrigation because they do not tolerate waterlogging.
Use pots larger every time you transplant until reaching dimensions of 15 to 20 cm.
Each year remove the substrate surface layer and replaced it with a fresh substrate.
It is preferable to use terracotta because, being a porous material, it allows the earth to transpire and, therefore, correct eventual irrigation errors.
Fertilizer:
From the spring and throughout the summer, fertilize the plant every 3 weeks with a liquid fertilizer diluted in water, mediating the doses with respect to what is indicated in the product.
During the other periods, fertilizing must be suspended.
You can also choose to make your fertilizers for your peperomia ‘hope’.
For example:
Banana peel
Banana peel is the best for making organic compost due to its potassium content.
Potassium is an essential mineral for plants, as is nitrogen. Macronutrient helps photosynthesis and build resistant tissues.
It helps re-energize the plants when they decrease their flowering.
You can use it directly on the substrate, or you can also make a tea with the banana’s skin and add it to the substrate.
Instructions:
First, cut the banana peels and boil them in a pot of water for 20 minutes.
After this, put out the fire and wait for it to rest.
Finally, spray the compost around the plant.
If you prefer, you can leave the shells.
Apple vinegar:
When it absorbs these nutrients, it helps keep the plant in good condition and prevents its leaves from taking on a burned appearance.
Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the water for watering the plants and use as usual.
Repeat at least once a month.
Eggshell:
Eggshells contain high doses of calcium and prevent apical rot in plants.
It is also an ecological, economical, and very easy to make.
Crush eggshells and place them at the bottom of your plantations or gardening.
You can put the eggshells in the sun to dry before crushing them. This will help it become a fine powder.
Then, apply the powder around the plant.