One of the trailing plants suiting for newbies, Peperomia Hope is an irreplaceable plant for indoors and open spaces. Due to its growing downward of the edge of the pot, it adds a tropical atmosphere into your house. For that reason, it should get a place in your plant collection. This houseplant has a few well-known names. One of them is Trailing Jade. In addition to this, it is native to Central and South America. Thanks to its plenty of hybrids, this houseplant is now common in many houses. Also, it bears some familiar features with Arrowhead Plant and Swiss Cheese Vine Plant.
General Information
Peperomia Hope generally has tiny leaves going along creeping thin stems and insignificant flowers blooming white in summer. Thanks to these features, it fits hanging basket planters rather than other pots. This way, This houseplant shows off its beauty better. In nature, it grows up trees with large trunks together. This houseplant is one of the epiphyte plants. Hence it shows resembles with Arrowhead Plant. When it is in a mature state, its length changes between 10 – 20 inches (25 – 50 cm). Also, just like Spider Plant, it is a perennial evergreen. Generally, this houseplant is non-toxic but yet too much ingestion may affect pets.
How to Care for Peperomia Hope Plant
Sunlight
Sheltered and semi-shade locations getting diffused sunlight would be better for this plant. As a note, more than two hours of direct sunlight could give damage this houseplant.
Watering
In its growing season, it needs weekly watering. However, this houseplant mustn’t be watered until its topsoil is dry in winter. Because just like many plants, this plant goes dormant in these times.
Humidity
50% and above humidity would probably thrive the plant in question. To ensure such conditions, you can use electronic humidifiers, wet pebble trays, and water sprays. Apart from that, sphagnum moss poles are also quite effective in this kind of ivy plant.
Temperature
Just like most vines, 65°F – 75°F (18°C – 24°C) would be the ideal temperature range for this houseplant. However, harsh cold weather conditions and cold drafts may wreak havoc on this houseplant. According to the USDA plant hardiness map, zones 9-11 are appropriate for this plant to grow outdoors.
Soil Type
Organic potting mixes such as perlite, gravel, sand, and so on are necessary components of this plant’s soil. After these components are mixed proportionately, you obtain healthy potting soil for this plant. Also, the potting soil must have plenty of porous to evacuate the excess water.
Planter Type
Such plants like this plant fit hanging basket planters more because of having their creeping character. Also, high spots like shelves, wall stands, mantels, and so forth are suitable for such plants.
Fertilizer
Applying water-soluble fertilizers monthly in its growing season will suffice. After regular fertilization, it will grow considerably fast. As a note, over-fertilizing may pose a danger to this houseplant.
Propagation
There are two well-known propagation ways. Here, they are stem cuttings and leaf cuttings. To propagate from leaf cuttings, cut a stem, with three leaves at least. Then cut leaves from their petioles. Having gathered all leaves, stick them one by one into the potting soil. Rooting would occur over time. On the other hand, to multiply at home by cutting stems, cut a stem, with three leaves via sterile scissors. Either try water propagation or soil propagation.
Repotting
In case of outgrowing, the plant in question should be transferred to another bigger pot. Generally, such plants outgrow in two or three years. Because of being a vine, it would fit better in hanging plant shelves and would look aesthetical.
Common Problems
Curling leaves: This problem stems from a lot of cases such as pest infestation, herbicides, and so on. For example, pests take in a considerable amount of juice from plants. Therefore, these pests drag the plant into drought. All in all, without enough water, plants start curling over time.
Plant wilting: Generally, this problem stems from unwanted cases such as overwatering, underwatering, intense sunlight, less humidity, and so forth. As long as proper conditions aren’t met, the plant loses its rigidity, like a body without the soul.
Leggy growth: Such growth makes the plant weak and floppy. Usually, inadequate sunlight conditions cause this problem. I mean, the plant tends to grow toward sunlight much more to produce sugar. On the other hand, fertilizers with high nitrogen also lead to this problem.
Suggestions for problems
To prevent curling, you should take a few cautions for pest infestation. For example, neem oils, alcohol-based wipes, pesticides could work. To keep the plant robust and vivid, you should consider the amount of water, check the watering routine. Also, intense and direct sunlight scorches the plant. For that reason, you must find a livable location somewhere indoors and outdoors for this houseplant. Lastly, leggy growth is serious. Even if it seems perfect, it makes the plant weak indeed. To prevent this case, cut off the overgrown part of the plant. Then adjust its inputs such as light, water, fertilizer, and so on.
Suggestions for beginners
Plants that are ignored maintenance much by beginners accumulate a lot of dust on their leaves over time. Therefore, this plant needs attentive care. For that, its small leaves should stay clean with a piece of a damp cloth.
