Watermelon Peperomia
Peperomia argyreia · also called Watermelon begonia, Peperomia sandersii
Round leaves striped just like a tiny watermelon rind
- Light
- Bright indirect, Medium light: Bright indirect is best, copes with medium
- Water
- Every 1-2 weeks, when the top half of the soil is dry
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pet safety
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Size
- Small
- Height
- 6-8 in tall and wide
- Growth
- Moderate
- Humidity
- Average home humidity is fine
- Temperature
- 65-80°F
- Good rooms
- Bedroom, Kitchen, Living room, Office
Each leaf is round, thick and striped silver and dark green, so it looks like a slice of watermelon rind. They sit on short red stems that rise from the center of a small mound, rarely more than eight inches tall. Put one on a desk and people will ask about it. New leaves start out small and folded, then flatten and spread over a couple of weeks, so there is always something changing.
Its small size is its best feature. It fits a windowsill, a bookshelf or a crowded office desk where bigger plants would not. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs. It also stays happy in a small pot for years, and the leaves store some water, so a missed week is not a disaster.
The weak point is the stems. They are soft and juicy, and if the soil stays wet they rot at the base and the leaves topple over. Too much water is far more dangerous to this plant than too little. It also wants steady, bright light to keep the stripes sharp and the stems short. I once kept one on a dim bookshelf, and within a few months it had long, floppy stems and faded leaves. A cat that likes to knock things off tables can snap the stems, too. They break easily.
Watermelon Peperomia care
Light
Bright, indirect light keeps the silver stripes crisp and the stems short. A spot near an east window or a few feet back from a west one is ideal. It copes with medium light, such as an office with a window across the room. Direct afternoon sun bleaches and burns the leaves.
Watering
Water when the top half of the soil feels dry, which is often every one to two weeks. In winter it may go three weeks. The leaves feel a little soft and less firm when it is thirsty. When in doubt, wait a few days. A wet pot is how most of these plants die.
Soil and pot
Use a chunky, fast-draining mix. Two parts potting soil to one part perlite or orchid bark works well. A small pot with drainage holes is a must, and terracotta helps the soil dry faster. Skip moisture-control potting mixes, which stay damp for far too long.
Humidity and temperature
Normal room humidity suits it, so you do not need a humidifier. Very dry winter air can cause slightly curled leaves, but it is rarely a big problem. Keep it away from heat vents and cold drafts. Misting the leaves is not needed and can leave spots.
Feeding
Peperomias have small roots and slow growth, so this one is easy to overfeed. Between May and August, two or three feeds at about half the usual strength are enough. Too much and the red stalks stretch long and thin while the leaves get smaller. In winter, skip food entirely and let the plant rest.
Repotting
It likes a snug pot and rarely needs a bigger one. Repot every two to three years in spring, or when roots come out the bottom. Move up only an inch. A big pot holds extra wet soil around a small root ball.
Propagation
This one is fun to root from a single leaf. Cut a healthy leaf with an inch of stem and push the stem into damp mix. Or cut the leaf across the middle and set the cut edge into the soil. Keep it warm and bright. New plantlets appear in a month or two. You can also divide a crowded plant.
Common problems
Why are the stems mushy and the leaves falling over?
That is stem rot from wet soil. Cut off healthy leaves to root as new plants, then let the rest dry out. If the base is soft, start over with the cuttings.
Why have the stripes faded?
It needs more light. Move it closer to a bright window, out of hot direct sun.
Why are the leaves drooping and soft when the soil is dry?
It is thirsty. Give it a good drink and the leaves should firm up within a day.
What are the white fuzzy spots under the leaves?
Mealybugs. Wipe them off with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and repeat weekly until they are gone.
Frequently asked questions
Is watermelon peperomia pet safe?
Yes. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Can I grow a new plant from one leaf?
Yes. Cut a healthy leaf with its stalk, or cut a leaf in half across the middle, and press the cut edge into damp potting mix. Keep it warm and bright, and tiny new plants usually show up within a month or two.
Is it a kind of begonia?
No. Some people call it watermelon begonia, but it is a peperomia, a different plant family.
Not sure this plant fits your home?
Take a plant quizSources: www.aspca.org, plants.ces.ncsu.edu
