Peperomia Incana is also known as Felted Peperomia due to the white, fuzzy hairs on its heart-shaped leaves. Native to Brazil, this plant is normally found as ground cover in forests. For home growers, Peperomia Incana is a compact and slow-growing plant usually kept in pots. It can be grown outdoors but only in warmer climates where it’s protected from frost. Peperomia Incana is just one of many Peperomia varieties which are popular as houseplants, some of which are toxic to humans and animals. This is one of the non-poisonous varieties which makes it a great choice for people with pets. If you are looking for a low-maintenance houseplant then Peperomia Incana can be a great and hardy choice. Let’s take a look at some of the things you’ll need to know when planning to add this popular and safe plant to your collection.
Peperomia Incana Care
Peperomia Incana is hardy and easy to grow, but needs special care to ensure it has proper drainage. A light, loamy potting mix is the best growing media for this plant. Because Peperomia Incana is so hardy, it may take a while to show signs of improper care. It’s important to make sure you are doing everything possible to keep this plant healthy. Starting out with proper care is easier than trying to figure out what needs to be fixed when your Peperomia Incana begins showing signs of bad health. This article will tell you everything you need to know to keep this Peperomia variety healthy and thriving for years to come.
Is Peperomia Incana easy to care for?
Peperomia Incana is easy to care for when kept as in indoors plant. It isn’t frost tolerant, so you’ll need to be in the right climate to grow this plant outdoors. With the right mix of soil, proper watering and good lighting, you can get many years of enjoyment out of Peperomia Incana.
Light Requirement
Peperomia Incana needs bright light to thrive, but can survive in shade. If you’re growing indoors it should be placed in a sunny window. This plant can handle temperatures between 45° and 95° F., so shouldn’t be allowed to freeze or get too hot. Peperomia Incana can grow in shade but will not grow as fast as when it has bright light.
Soil Type & pH Requirement
Peperomia Incana needs slight acidic, well-drained soil to prevent its roots from becoming waterlogged. The best soil mix is sandy loam, or just loam. It’s important to use a potting mix that allows water to drain away from roots quickly. Some commercial houseplant potting mixes can be a good choice as long as they are light and contain enough loam. Whatever potting mix you use, make sure the pH is between 5 and 7.5. Peperomia Incana does best in slightly acidic soil.
Watering & Humidity Requirement
Peperomia Incana needs a regular watering schedule that allows time for the top of the soil to dry. It’s important to protect this plant from overwatering. The best watering method is to completely saturate the soil until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Don’t water again until the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Humidity will control how quickly your plant’s soil dries and how often you’ll need to water. Peperomia Incana does best in low-humidity environments. It may be possible to grow this plant in a terrarium, but the high humidity in that environment can prevent soils from drying and may not be the best choice.
Temperature Requirement
Peperomia Incana needs temperatures between 45° and 95° F. The best growing location is a sunny window where it can receive lots of light without getting too hot. This plant isn’t frost tolerant and must be kept from freezing. Make sure your climate doesn’t get too cold if you’re planning on growing Peperomia Incana outside.
Hardiness Zone
Peperomia Incana can grow outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10a to 12. These warm zones are mainly in coastal and southern areas of the US. When growing in colder areas this plant will need to be potted so it can be brought inside when freezing temperatures are expected.
Fertilization Requirement
Peperomia Incana should be fed with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer every two months. If you are trying to grow this plant in soil which doesn’t have good drainage, only fertilize every four months. Peperomia Incana is naturally slow-growing, and adding fertilizer won’t change this. It is important not to over-fertilize in an attempt to get faster growth. Giving it too much liquid fertilizer can burn the roots and may kill the plant.
Peperomia Incana Propagation
Peperomia Incana can be propagated with leaf or stem cuttings. Using rooting hormones is optional but can help the cuttings put out roots faster. To propagate this plant, take 2 to 3 inch cuttings and remove all lower leaves. Allow these cuttings to sit out until the cuts dry up and form a callus. If you aren’t using rooting hormones, they can be placed directly into soil. If you are using rooting hormones you’ll want to pour some of the powder into a separate dish or container to keep your main supply of rooting hormone dry and free of diseases. Dip the ends of the cuttings into the powder and lightly tap off any excess. Make holes in your soil with a pencil, chopstick or other tool, and place cuttings in these holes which are then lightly pressed around the stems. The reason you want to prepare holes for the cuttings is to prevent the rooting hormone powder from being dislodged by pushing the stem through soil. Once your cuttings are planted in soil keep them at 70° to 75° F until roots develop. When the cuttings take root, you can transplant into individual pots and begin growing normally.
Some people propagate this plant by placing leaf cuttings in water and waiting for roots to sprout. This can be done but make sure to replant in appropriate soil as soon as possible after roots form. One downside to rooting in water is fungus. Fungus is one threat to this plant’s health that needs to be taken seriously. Even if the rooted leaves don’t die in water, they may still carry fungal spores which can make the plant more susceptible to fungus after being planted.
Peperomia Incana Flower
When Peperomia Incana is grown with lots of light it can produce flowers. This normally happens on older plants, so if your Peperomia Incana is young it may take years before you see any blooms. Flowers are tiny, white and densely packed on spikes which grow during the summer months. When the flowers die these spikes can be removed but that isn’t required. Peperomia Incana flowers usually don’t have any scent.
Size & Growth Rate
Peperomia Incana grows stiffly and upright when young. As the plant matures it spreads out to the sides. It can grow 6 to 12 inches tall and can have a width between 12 and 15 inches. This plant grows slowly even under ideal conditions. Growth will slow considerably if it’s kept in shade. Applying liquid fertilizer can speed up growth rates but not by much. Trying to make it grow faster by adding more fertilizer isn’t recommended and can cause root burns which may kill your plant.
Problems Growing Peperomia Incana
While Peperomia Incana is a hardy plant it can have some growth problems. Drooping leaves is common and can result from overwatering or having soil without enough drainage. Drooping leaves can also be the result of certain pests, so keep a close eye on your plants to catch any infestations early. Some growers report that their Peperomia Incana’s leaves sometimes curl inwards. This is often caused by too much light and may also be heat related. If you plant’s leaves begin curling inwards this can be a sign that you need to move your plant to a shady area or add a screen to block some sunlight. Does your Peperomia Incana have brown spots? This can be a bit tricky to diagnose correctly. Sometimes brown spots are the result of too much water or soil which doesn’t have enough drainage. Brown spots can also appear if your plant isn’t getting enough light, but can also be caused by too much light. Pest or fungal infestations can also cause brown spots. Fungal infections can usually be prevented by making sure to not overwater your plant. Root rot is another type of fungal infection caused by overwatering. Always make sure your soil has enough drainage and you’re watering the plant correctly to help prevent fungal infections.
Where can I find Peperomia Incana for sale?
Peperomia Incana can be easily found in many larger garden supply stores and from online sources. Prices vary by size and can range from $6 USD to around $18 USD.
Are Peperomia Incana Toxic to Pets?
While Peperomia Incana is related to Baby Rubberplant (Peperomia obtusifolia) they are not toxic to people or pets. Baby Rubberplant is toxic and looks similar to Peperomia Incana. For pet safety make sure you have an actual Peperomia Incana.