How to Grow Peperomia Obtusifolia: Baby Rubber Plant
Peperomia Care
Peperomia obtusifolia, also called the baby rubber plant, is a very easy plant to grow. They have thick, glossy, rounded leaves. The leaf color is often dark green with burgundy on the stems. They grow short, no more than a foot usually, and have a spreading/clustering growth habit. This species as well as many other peperomia are easy to propagate from stem cuttings. All of mine were grown that way. Peperomia obtusifolia is also non-toxic.
Plant in a light, rich potting soil with good drainage. Keep the plants moist, only allowing the top 1/2 in of soil to dry out, during the warmer months. In the winter the soil can be allowed to dry out completely between watering, but not for extended periods of time. They are native to the dense tropics of the Americas and can thus take full shade. They can also be grown in bright, indirect light. Mine receive three hours of sun a day. For maximum growth fertilize once every 2 weeks during the spring and summer.
House Plant Care Links
- Constructing a Miniature Water Garden | Quazen
How to build a container water garden for your yard. - Composting: Making Black Gold | Gomestic
A simple guide on how to compost. - How to Grow Cattleya Orchids
- How to Grow Schefflera Arboricola: Umbrella Plant
Comments
Brandon21 (author) on April 19, 2012:
Usually this plant spreads from the base and will have multiple stems that help support each other. If one stem starts to topple over you can stake it, but I would prune it back to ecourage bushier growth.
Lorraine on April 19, 2012:
I believe mine has reached its growth potential and is falling over. Should I stake it?
