It has thick, succulent-like green (and sometimes cream-colored) leaves that absorb and store water reserves in case of drought. Interestingly enough, in the wild, Peperomias can grow on other plants. “Peperomia plants take up their nutrients from the air, rain, and debris around them, so they don’t actually need to be planted in soil,” explains Danae Horst, founder of Folia Collective and author of Houseplants for All. In a home setting, this means the Peperomia can make for a great mounted plant. Horst adds that the Peperomia plant is a collector’s plant, meaning that many people enjoy collecting multiple types of it. Here are a few other popular varieties: You can stick your fingers in the soil to gauge if your plant needs water, or look at its leaves. “You’ll know [it needs water] because the leaves will look a little limp; a little less upright than they did before. If you touch them, they won’t feel quite as firm,” she says. The moisture level of the soil will change throughout the year due to temperature and light conditions, but you’ll likely have to water it every 1 to 2 weeks. Overwatering is more common than underwatering with this plant. To avoid giving your plant too much light, Horst says to imagine that it has eyes: It shouldn’t be able to see the sun. If your Peperomia Obtusifolia is getting too little light, on the other hand, you’ll likely notice that its new growth produces very small leaves. It also might start to get “leggy,” meaning its leaves don’t fill out its stem. “Not enough light can cause root problems,” Horst says. “The amount of light and amount of water are linked, so if you are watering the way you should be but your plant is in low light, the soil is staying wet too long. It’s all about the balance.” When repotting your Peperomia in a larger pot, Horst stresses the importance of choosing the right size pot and the right time. Your new pot shouldn’t be more than 2 inches larger in diameter than your old one. This will help with moisture balance and ensure that your plant’s roots aren’t surrounded by too much wet soil. “You want to repot your plant in the middle of its watering cycle […] so not when it’s totally soggy or totally dry,” she adds. Here’s your step-by-step repotting guide: When Carly’s not covering sustainability topics, she spends her time tackling social impact issues regarding the environment & its inhabitants, practicing self-reflection (on and off the mat), and reading memoirs from Black authors. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
