Peperomia Polybotrya (also called Raindrop Peperomia) is a classy low maintenance house plant originating from the South American forests but can still thrive in other regions if proper conditions are provided. A compact grower, Peperomia Polybotrya is perfect for potting indoors and comes with fewer burdens of pests or diseases.
To care for a Peperomia Polybotrya, water it thoroughly once a week or when you notice its soil is dry, but do not allow the soil to be waterlogged. Keep it under indirect bright light, in temperatures between 65º-80ºF (18º-26ºC). It requires well-drained soil, which could be a mix of 50% pearlite and 50% peat moss.
The Raindrop Peperomia can survive with a considerable degree of neglect or in most indoor conditions. However, it will lack the plush effect if it does not get very specific conditions, most of which are easy to provide.
Let’s look at some of the care points that will allow you to grow the plushest raindrop Peperomia, shall we?
| Name | Peperomia Polybotrya (Raindrop) |
| Watering | Once per week or when the soil is dry |
| Temperature | 65º-80ºF (18º-26ºC) |
| Light | Indirect bright light |
| Humidity | Medium-high |
| Soil | Good draining properties. pH 5.0-7.0 |
| Propagation | Via leaf or stalk cuttings in soil or water |
Watering
Raindrop Peperomia is a native of Peru and Colombia, some of the most humid places on earth. It, therefore, requires regular watering to both thrive and produce the lush green leaves. In fact, some gardeners prefer to grow it entirely on water, meaning that it loves being hydrated.
Once per week, water your Raindrop Peperomia. Make sure the water is evenly distributed and that the top 2 inches of soil are allowed to dry before watering again. However, the amount of water must be complemented with well-draining soil. If the soil is waterlogged, you will begin having problems with root rot.
The amount of watering needed for the Raindrop Peperomia will also depend on your container’s size plus the amount of soil used for potting. In other words, the larger the container, the more quantity of water would be required.
Make sure that there are drainage holes at the bottom to let out excess water after watering. You don’t want your Peperomia dammed up with too much liquid because it can suffocate
Reduce the amount of water during spring and winter. Though the plant does not shed the leaves, it goes into a dormant phase where a lot of water or fertilizer is not needed. The succulent leaves and stems also store water that allows this species to go for days without water.
Because the Raindrop Peperomia requires so many nutrients from the water, it is dependent on it. As a result, appropriate water quality is crucial during maintenance. Use distilled, filtered, rainwater, or aged water instead of tap water. The water should be free of chemicals that may suffocate your soil. Fluoride or chlorine in the water will affect the availability of some of the chemicals.
Under-watering or overwatering the Raindrop Peperomia will result in wilting. Luckily, it takes a while before the plant can wilt from under-watering because the leaves and stalk store a lot of water. On the other hand, overwatering will result in root rot, which could kill your plant fast. Root rot can only be cured through repotting, which we will cover later on, but the Raindrop Peperomia with its delicate leaves will not take it easy.
Watering is also affected by humidity, temperature, and air circulation. High temperatures and low humidity will demand more watering. Wind blowing around the plant also results in extensive evaporation, draining most of the soil’s water. Once you have found the right balance between these elements, your Raindrop Peperomia will thrive.
Humidity
The Raindrop Peperomia is a native of the thick and wet rain forests of South America. Below the canopies, the plant enjoys high humidity from the many streams and protection from direct sun or wind. Its deep-green foliage is also a signal that the plant prefers high humidity.
Growing a beautiful Raindrop Peperomia requires humidity levels between 40%-50%. Most indoor environments can achieve such humidity naturally at different seasons of the year. However, other intervening factors like the use of heating and AC systems may make the conditions hostile for your plant.
The best solution to provide adequate humidity is misting. Spray rain, filtered, distilled, or aged water on the leaves once every other day to keep the leaves and surrounding areas moist. Your Raindrop Peperomia will respond with the dark and plush green leaves.
A pebble tray at the base of the plant will also enhance humidity levels around the leaves. Water evaporating from the tray creates a humidity cloud around the flower, guaranteeing the required moisture levels. A pebble tray is the best option for plant owners with no time for daily and insistent attention.
Also, a more sophisticated option is to buy a humidifier, this device will help you to get the right humidity levels that your plant needs to thrive.
Keep in mind that too much humidity could cause bacterial and fungal infections on the leaves. The use of fluoridated or chlorinated water will also damage the leaves. Keep the plant away from air conditioning vents because they suck air from the surrounding, depleting the humidity levels.
Soil
The Raindrop Peperomia requires well-drained soil with acidic to neutral pH levels between 5.0-7.0. Remember that your plant can grow on the water without any soil. However, for it to thrive and find a place to hold, it requires the African violet soil mix.
The soil could be a mix of 50% peat moss and 50% perlite. The mix is so porous that it allows most of the water to drain away. However, it remains moist most of the time to provide water and nutrients to the leaves.
While you may use quality soil during potting, houseplant experts insist on continued care to keep the soil healthy enough to support its robust foliage. Some of the care procedures include the use of liquid foliar fertilizer in place of granule-based fertilizer that leaves harmful residue in your soil. Flush the soil once at the end of summer to clear these chemicals. Fluoride or chlorine in the water will also damage the soil and cause your plant to stunt.
Just keep in mind to protect the soil from water-logging because it will result in root rot, an infestation that causes permanent damage. The container used for potting must guarantee excellent drainage so that most of the water is not retained in the container. Do not allow the pot to soak in a flooded drainage tray for too long because the soil will begin to take back most of the water.
Light
Inside the thick South American forests canopies, the Raindrop Peperomia does not receive a lot of light. The dark green leaves are meant to maximize the little light that penetrates the canopies. Your Raindrop Peperomia requires an environment where such conditions are similar.
Place your Raindrop Peperomia near the window where it can enjoy constant indirect bright light. Since it is a very light-sensitive plant, it will bend towards the window. You will need to rotate the plant once in a while so that all leaves enjoy sufficient light.
Direct sunlight will kill the shine on your leaves. However, allow it to enjoy a bit of morning and evening sun because it is not as hot. When the Peperomia is grown outdoors, it requires shade to protect the leaves from the bright midday light. In case you do not have a window or wish to place the flower at a hidden corner, provide fluorescent light.
The Raindrop Peperomia loses its shine if it does not receive sufficient light. You will also end up with a small houseplant, a terrible scene considering that the plant never goes beyond one foot in height. Prolonged dim light will also produce the same effect.
Temperature
The tropical rain forests in South America, where the Raindrop Peperomia habitat is, are slightly warm. Your houseplant will thrive in temperatures between 65ºF(18ºC) and 80ºF(26ºC). However, it will still grow in temperatures as low as 50ºF(10ºC) as long as the fall is not drastic. The temperature may not exceed 95ºF(35ºC) in hot areas.
Temperature affects other conditions around your plant. High temperature translates into reduced humidity, requiring regular misting, and increased watering frequency. Low temperatures expose your plant to bacterial and fungal infections. Evaporation from the soil will also reduce. The solution is to reduce watering and misting while increasing air circulation.
Advanced Care Guidelines
The Raindrop Peperomia does not demand a lot of attention from its owners. However, it hides a beautiful gift for any owner who pays attention to its delicate needs.
Here are some caring ideas that will reveal the extraordinary beauty of your Raindrop Peperomia.
Flowering
The Raindrop Peperomia produces very interesting flowers that resemble the tail of a green-tipped mouse. These flowers will grow in clusters and are perched at the top of the stalk. Moreover, the flowers produce a hypnotizing fragrance that will transform the air indoors.
The elegance of the flowers will depend on the amount of care provided. Since the flowers appear between spring and summer, you must provide adequate water and place your plant at an adequately lit position around the house. Warm temperatures will ensure that the flowers bloom fully and produce a strong scent.
The flowers only last for a few weeks. Hence, they should be removed from the stem once they wilt to enhance the overall plant’s beauty.
Fertilization
Raindrop Peperomia is a light feeder but does not respond well to neglect. Thus, it requires regular light feeding using compost-based fertilizer or liquid foliar.
Apply half-measure balanced fertilizer once in summer. The fertilizer will support the robust growing foliage and enhance flowering.
Your plant requires light feeding in winter. One fertilizer application in two months will be sufficient to sustain its slow growth through the dormant months.
Too much fertilizer will only kill this compact growing Peperomia. Hence, compost is preferred because it releases nutrients slowly. Furthermore, it does not clog the soil with chemicals.
Pruning
The slow-growing Raindrop Peperomia will rarely require pruning. The foliage remains green most of the year, dying mostly from old age. This plant does not give bushy foliage that will necessitate pruning.
However, if any leaf or vine is infested with pests or diseases, pruning will be necessary and can be done at any time to protect the other parts of the plant.
Cut the leaves at the base or the vine at the node during pruning. The best season to prune is early spring or late winter to give the plant ample time to flower. Make clean cuts when pruning to ease healing and hasten recovery.
Repotting
The Raindrop Peperomia will rarely require repotting. It has a small root system that will rarely overrun your pot. The roots are also too delicate that regular repotting will cause extensive damage. The best repotting interval is every two to three years. Repot before mid-summer to give the flower enough time to recover so that it is not overpowered by the dormant winter.
Propagation
This plant is one of the easiest houseplants to propagate. It would help if you had a leaf or stalk cutting that is placed in water or moist soil. The propagated parts should produce roots in two to three weeks without rooting hormone enhancement. Remember to propagate the plant in summer when the weather is warm enough to support root growth.
Pest Prevention
The most common pests that would attack your Raindrop Peperomia are mealy bugs and red spider mites. They suck sap from the leaves, leaving yellow spots. Fortunately, they are controllable through regular dusting, balancing humidity and temperature, or the use of pesticides.
Conclusion
To sum up, this plant is a classy low maintenance house plant originating from the South American forests but can still thrive in other regions if proper conditions are provided. A compact grower, the Raindrop Peperomia, is perfect for potting indoors and comes with fewer burdens of pests or diseases.
Related Questions
What’s the difference between Peperomia Polybotrya and Pilea Peperomioides?
The two plants look very similar but do not even belong to the same family. The Peperomia Polybotrya can be identified by its dark-green colored leaves and their heart shape. As for the leaves of Pilea Peperomioides, they are less succulent, more round-shaped, lighter-green, and not as plush when the two plants are grown in the same environment.
Why is my Raindrop Peperomia dropping leaves?
Several issues could cause your plant to drop its leaves. The soil could be too dry or wet. Too much direct sunlight will also cause the leaves to wilt. Mealybugs and red spider mites will also damage the leaves and cause them to fall.
Why does my Raindrop Peperomia have brown spots?
Red spider mites and/mealybugs could have found a home on your leaves. Use pesticides on both the leaves and the soil to eliminate these pests.
How big do Peperomia Polybotrya grow?
The beautiful, thick heart-shaped leaves of the Peperomia Polybotrya make it an excellent plant for smaller spaces. This fast grower does not get much larger than about 12 – 15 inches so you can enjoy its beauty in any space.
Is Peperomia Polybotrya toxic?
So you’re looking for a houseplant that won’t kill your cat or dog? Well, the Raindrop Peperomia is a perfect choice. It’s non-toxic and suitable for children and pets.
How can I propagate a Peperomia Polybotrya in water?
Yes. You can propagate a Raindrop Peperomia in water by first cutting off the stem with very few leaves attached and placing it into a jar of fresh, cool drinking-quality water. Change it every few days to prevent rot from setting in as well as allowing roots to sprout which will help strengthen your new child.
Related Plant Guides:
How to Grow and Care for a Peperomia Obtusifolia
The Guide to Grow and Care for a Watermelon Peperomia
