Peperomia Puteolata (The Parallel Peperomia)

Peperomia Puteolata has recently acquired a new scientific name; Peperomia Tetragona. Which is now widely accepted as a synonym. Its common names include Parallel Peperomia, the Chinese Money Plant, or the Radiator Plant.

The Parallel Peperomia is a member of the family Piperaceae. It is an epiphyte and a native of the tropical South American rainforest. Epiphytes are, in a simple term, vining plants meaning that they grow as a vine trailing woody stems of more giant trees. They also attach roots to the stems of the trees on which they follow.

The plant uses its stems and leaves to climb the trunks of trees and rocks in search of ideal growing conditions. The Peperomia is grown on a pole in many homes, providing adequate training and growing conditions. Ultimately, when grown on the bar, it develops a bushy appearance rather than the ordinary vine. The bushy appearance is because the vine coils round and round the post.

Let’s dig into the care of Peperomia tetragona.

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Morphological characteristics of Peperomia Puteolata

Leaves

The Parallel Peperomia’s leaves are oval in shape and grow in whorls around the plant stems. The leaves are dark green with a white venation similar to Peperomia watermelon. These two peperomias are usually confused due to the similarity in their leave’s venation.

However, the size and shape of their leaves are distinct from the watermelon peperomia because Parallel Peperonia’s leaves are minor. They only grow a few centimeters long. Moreover, they are soft and also a bit rigid which allows the plant to act like a succulent plant storing water in its leaves.

Flowers

The parallel peperomia’s main attraction is its leaves and other parts; the flowers are unremarkable. These flowers are white and dull, and they grow on woody spikes that the plant only produces during the flowering season in spring.

These woody flowering stalks are rather unseemly when dried up and sticking from the plant. They start drying as soon as the flowers drop off. I would recommend pinching off the spikes left when the flowers drop off. Removing these stalks is one of the primary activities in your grooming routine.

Stems

This plant has reddish cascading stems that are approximately 16 inches long. They can, however, grow longer when the ideal conditions have been met. On the other hand, the longer it gets, the messier the trail becomes. This removes focus from the beautiful leaves to the trail. This means your plant will not be as decorative as you intended. When contrasted with the leaves, the color of the stem is quite beautiful. However, there needs to be a good ratio of the number of leaves to the size of the stem. When the balance is correct, it brings the best from the plant.

Toxicity

This pant is non-toxic to pets and human beings alike, so you can keep them where they will be most visible in the house without worrying about your children’s and pets’ safety.

Uses

When kept short and kept from trailing, this plant makes a beautiful tabletop plant as its leaves are small and feature delicate. If left to the trail, it looks lovely in a hanging pot, and you can use it to decorate your windows and other parts of the house.

Peperomia Puteolata Care

Lighting and placement

This delicate household plant thrives in bright indirect light, but it can survive poor lighting conditions. You will notice that poor lighting conditions cause a slowdown in your plant’s growth. It may even become stagnant depending on how slow the growth is. Besides growth being noticeably slower in poorly lit conditions, you will also notice the plant’s leaves being smaller. The stems will be leggy, making the plant look awkward.

While light is essential, you should be cautious not to subject the plant to hours of direct sunlight because it scorches the plant’s foliage, and the leaves turn yellow as a consequence. An east-facing window is suitable for indoor plants to place the Peperomia.

The position ensures the plant is not exposed to direct sunlight, and if it is exposed, it is to the mild morning sunlight. You can also keep the plant under a partial shade where it can still enjoy some sunlight. You could intensify the amount of light available to the plant by keeping it in a room painted in bright colors. The walls will reflect the sunlight that comes through the window, further intensifying what is available to the plant.

If you keep your Puteolata next to the western or northern window where the hot sun comes directly, keep it next to the window and place the plant behind a sheer curtain to protect it from the UV rays.

It is normal to struggle to find a well-lit space in your house. You should move the plant around to find the best place for its growth. The leaves will curl upwards with brown edges when exposed to intense light. They may even fall off.

Watering Peperomia Puteolata

The Parallel Peperomia is semi-succulent and stores some water in its stem and leaves. Being a semi-succulent, this plant requires more watering than most succulents. However, watering this plant is delicate as you have to avoid overwatering or underwatering. Overwatering is the most dangerous because it causes root rot.

Distilled or rainwater is the best for watering these plants to avoid chemicals in tap water. If you must use tap water, put it in a wide-open mouth container and let it sit for 24 hours to allow the chemicals to dissipate.

How do you know your plant requires to be watered? The topsoil dryness test is always an effective method of knowing whether your plant requires some watering by inserting a finger into the plant’s soil or potting mix to feel whether or not the top two inches of the soil is dry.

When you notice the bottom leaves of the plant start to wrinkle and slightly wilt when the plant is severely dehydrated.

Method of watering

The best method to water his plant is the soak and dry method. Insert the plant into a large container filled with water and allow the plant to soak in the water for at least half an hour. After removing the plant, let the excess moisture drain from the drainage holes at the bottom of the container for another half an hour. Water again when the soil is dry.

The plant being dry is a much simpler issue and one easy to fix by soaking and drying. Overwatering, on the other hand, has dire consequences. Growers should be cautious not to leave the plant in soggy or wet soil as it can cause root rot. When the entire room turns to black color, the plant cannot be saved and should be tossed out.

We are always cautious about giving a definite watering schedule even for the various seasons because environmental conditions are a significant factor in how well the soil can retain water. Ambient temperature, for example, determines how fast water in the soil evaporates. Even in the same seasons, this temperature varies from place to place.

As an epiphyte, much of this plant’s nourishment comes from the surrounding environment. This is why you will need to mist the plant from time to time to make the environment more conducive for appropriate biological processes for the plant.

Soil for Peperomia Puteolata

Any good grower knows that selecting the best soil or potting mix is necessary for healthy, robust growth when it comes to soil. The Parallel Peperomia in its native habitat grows in dense and humid forest soil. Indoor plants will require good quality, fast-draining soil to retain just the proper water. This is done to avoid root rot.

I would recommend a potting mix is one-third cacti and succulent mix, third peat, and one-third perlite. This potting mix ensures your plant has good drainage and prevents the plant from sitting in water. A common rookie mistake is a poorly drained soil.

Feeding Peperomia Puteolata

One of the best ways to encourage your plant to thrive is to set up a regular feeding regiment. Feed the plant during the periods that it is actively growing. That is during the spring and summer months.

Do not feed during the cold winter season as the plant is dormant during that time. You do not want to overfeed the plant as it may lead to a buildup of salts; this can be detrimental to the plant. Compost is recommended for fertilizing.

When selecting a fertilizer, it is best to choose a mild, balanced one and dilute it to half strength. A liquid fertilizer you can provide during watering is the best option. Another option is to use a slow-release fertilizer and put it in the potting mix during early spring.

Also, read

• 6 Best Fertilizers for Succulents (Review)
• Is Succulent Fertilizer Safe to Use?

Pests and Diseases in Peperomia Puteolata

Parallel Peperomia is generally free from disease. As long as you keep the plant healthy and stress-free, there is a likelihood that you will not have to deal with any problems. It is, however, susceptible to root rot in case of waterlogging.

Sap-sucking bugs, for example, the red spider mite, thrive in bright and dry conditions. They tend to be drawn to the ridges of the leaves. If pests on your houseplant, use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat the plant. Keep the plant in isolation and use the insecticidal soap until the plant is pest-free.

Also, Read

• Common Knowledge About Pest Control For Succulents – Protecting Your Succulents By Getting Rid Of Bugs & Pests
• Euphorbia Polygona – The Unique Spiny Succulent Called ‘Snowflake’

Pruning

In mature plants, regular pruning can help create a fuller-looking plant. You’ll want to use a sterile blade and trim a few centimeters above the base of the plant. Pruning is best to keep this plant under control. The parallel peperomia looks better when it is kept neat.

Potting and Repotting

Do not forget to use a pot with enough draining holes. This is crucial for the health of your plant to ensure that the water is flowing continuously out of your pot. Proper potting and repotting are important to the health of your Peperomia Puteolata. However, frequent repotting is not necessary. The ideal time to repot is when your plant has already outgrown its previous pot. You may opt to use a new bigger pot. Make sure that you are careful in removing your Peperomia Puteolata from its previous pot to avoid any damage to its roots. The roots of this succulent are pretty small; it is advisable to plant them in a shallow pot

Temperature and Humidity

The ideal temperature for your Peperomia Puteolata is from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, your plant is in danger. It would help if you avoid any sudden temperature drops and cold drafts. Your Peperomia Puteolata is a tropical plant meaning it prefers warmer temperatures. In terms of humidity, the ideal percentage is around 40% or average indoor humidity. During the summer season, you may opt to mist the leaves of your Peperomia Puteolata to promote growth.

Peperomia Puteolata Propagation

This plant can be propagated by two means:

1. Propagation through stem cuttings
2. Propagation through leaf cuttings

Stem cuttings are recommended for propagating this plant as the leaves are pretty small.

It would help if you had the following things, so put them together before you start.

1. A sharp cutting tool such as a knife or hand pruner
2. Alcohol wipes, methylated or surgical spirit, and cotton wool
3. Five-inch pots depending on the number of plants you want to propagate
4. Well-drained soil

Take the following steps for successful propagation.

1. Take your cutting tool, and wipe it with alcohol wipes or otherwise sterilize it. Sterilizing the instrument is an integral part of the process as it ensures neither the daughter nor mother plant gets infected with any disease that might be on the tool.
2. Cut one of the spreading branches at the node with your now sterilized tool. The cutting should be about 15 to 20cm long and wait a few days for it to be callous.
3. Rinse the cutting and the wound on the mother plant.
4. Once the cut is closed off, plant the peperomia in well-draining soil and water lightly. You should be vigilant not to let the soil be ever parched.

Propagation through stem cuttings

• Look for a stem or healthy stem and have at least 2 to 3 leaves.
• Cut them off below a leaf node using sterile pruning shears or any other sharp cutting tool.
• Leave the stem cutting to dry in a warm place. You can lay them down on a dry paper towel for this. It will take a few hours for the sap to dry.
• Once the cutting has dried up, dip that end in rooting hormone.
• Then plant it into a small container filled with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
• Water the soil until moist.
• Cover the plant with a plastic bag to increase humidity. Make sure to take the load off now and then to allow air circulation.
• Keep the plant under bright, indirect light.
• It will take about 3 or so weeks for the cutting to take root.

Propagation through leaf cuttings

• Look for a healthy leaf or leaves to increase the success rate by propagating many leaves.
• Cut the leaf at the stem and remove about a quarter inch from the bottom of the leaf.
• Leave the leaf-cutting to dry in a warm place. You can lay them down on a paper towel for this. The sap will take a few hours to dry at the cut part.

• Once the cutting has dried up, dip that end in rooting hormone.
• Then plant it into a small container filled with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
• Water the soil until moist.
• Cover the plant with a plastic bag to increase humidity. Make sure to take the covering off now and then to allow air circulation.
• Keep the plant under bright, indirect light.
• Wait for about 6 to 8 weeks to realize any roots from this process

Common Problems

Among the common problems experienced by Peperomia Puteolataare yellow leaves, small leaves, wilting, and dropping leaves. You may easily detect problems in your plant with enough observation of irregular discoloration and wilting. Usually, you may want to check on the sunlight and watering schedules of your Peperomia Puteolata to avoid further damage. Another critical factor that affects your Peperomia Puteolata health is the temperature. Too low temperatures can cause the blooms to become soft, and leaves will have difficulty growing.

Before conclusion,…

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Final Thought

This beautiful plant is relatively easy to manage. It is the plant that you can grow comfortably even when you are pretty busy or an inexperienced plant parent. There are three critical considerations for best results.

Always keep it in well-lit places without exposing it to direct sunlight. Snip the flowering stalks when the flowers drop off to avoid having the woody stalks sticking out on the otherwise vibrant plant. Plant it on a well-draining substrate and water only when the soil is dry.

The last consideration is watering and misting; only water Peperomia puteolata using rain or distilled water because the chemicals in tap water are harmful. If you don’t have distilled or rainwater, draw tap water and keep it in an open container for 24 hours before giving your plant a drink.