Peperomia (also called Baby Rubber Plant) are herbaceous perennials native to Mexico and South America. While they bloom seasonally, they are grown for their distinct foliage and ease of care as a houseplant or ground cover in warmer climates. Use Peperomia as a cascading evergreen in your combination planters and hanging baskets, or in a small container as an indoor houseplant. Zones 10-12 can produce this plant for landscape use for shade areas.
Growing Tips
Your unrooted cuttings will arrive freshly cut. You will need to
plant them immediately and begin a misting cycle to root the cuttings. This will leech the soil of nutrients, so during the propagation phase use a constant feed of
1/3 the normal recommended dosage of fertilizer until well rooted.
For best results with Peperomia, we recommend using a constant feed program of 150-200 ppm N. Maintain a pH between 5.8 - 6.2. Grow in an area of high humidity with no direct sun.
To help your customers create a humid environment in their home, instruct them to place the pot on top of a saucer filled with rocks and pour water into the saucer, making sure that the water level never reaches the bottom of the pot.
Pinching
Pinching is recommended 5-10 days after transplantation. Additional pinches and trimming will be necessary to shape the pot.
Spacing
Hanging baskets should be spaced 18-24 inches. Space adequately to allow airflow and light penetration between the foliage of adjacent pots.
Height Control
Pinching is the best way to control height. An initial pinch is recommended, but additional pinching may be necessary to shape your final product.
Pests
Mealybugs, spider mites and whiteflies are the biggest pest problems with Peperomia.
Disease
Green Scandens are not prone to many diseases, but watch for botrytis while the days are short. This grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label’s instructions.
Planting Green Scandens Liners
- We recommend planting 5 starter plants per 10 inch basket. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. If you are planting 4” pots, 3 plants per pot should be sufficient if you have enough time. Plant them in a triangle in the middle of your pot.
- Pinching is recommended 5-10 days after transplantation. A second pinch may be necessary depending on the size and shape of the final pot.
Unrooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families, but most can be described as tip cuttings (ivy are leaf-and-eye stem cuttings not tips) that stick nicely
in small plug trays such as the 105-plug tray we use (some varieties are better suited for a 50 cell tray, i.e. Angelwing Begonia, Bougainvillea, Setcrecea, etc.). Please do not order unrooted cuttings unless you are an experienced propagator with mist systems and proper temperature control.
Peperomia Green Scandens Quick Reference Guide
| Bloom Period | Periodically year-round |
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| Habit | Spreading/Trailing |
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| Height | 6-12" |
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| Light | Partial Shade |
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| Minimum Temp | 60 |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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