Welcome, plant lovers! It was time to take motion – that is all about pruning and propagating Peperomia obtusifolia.
This well-liked tabletop plant is prized for its easy-care tendencies and engaging fleshy leaves. Pruning and propagating Peperomia obtusifolia will help it keep a compact form and encourage new development. This publish will discover the perfect pruning and propagating methods to maintain yours wholesome and thriving.
Peperomias can be found in a variety of variegations and leaf sizes and shapes. Most have shiny leaves, so why wouldn’t we would like extra of them? Some are extra upright in nature, and a few are vining. Because it grows, the Child Rubber Plant is a cross of upright and trailing.
This publish applies not solely to the strong darkish green-leaved Peperomia obtusifolia but additionally to all its variegated kinds.
Botanic Identify: Peperomia obtusifolia Frequent Identify: Child Rubber Plant, American Rubber Plant, Pepper Face
Be aware: This publish was printed on 4/3/2019. It was up to date on 5/4/2024.
Pruning & Propagating Peperomia Obtusifolia
The Child Rubber Plant (seen beneath) rising in my visitor lavatory took up an excessive amount of actual property, so I pruned it. I favored the flippy-floppy kind it was taking up, however I didn’t need one other hanging plant. And the Rainbow Peperomia rising subsequent to it was comfortable to have extra space.
Child Rubber Vegetation reply very nicely to pruning. I had one which I in the reduction of to five″ tall, and the plant got here again simply nice. With the plant you see beneath, I took about 10″ of stems off. My new plant (seen above) began from these cuttings, had an excellent begin, and goes robust in my new residence.
I’ve a favourite manner of propagating these vegetation (for my part, it’s the simplest!), which I share with you later and in addition within the video.
The most effective time to prune & propagate Peperomia obtusifolia vegetation
Throughout the rising season. Spring and summer season are the perfect occasions, into early fall, in the event you’re in a temperate local weather. A giant plus: rooting goes sooner within the hotter months.
Methods to prune a Child Rubber Plant
Legginess, a necessity for development management, or an unhealthy look are indications that yours wants pruning. Chances are you’ll want it to have a brand new form, and pruning will do this.
Pinching vs. pruning. Chances are you’ll solely have to pinch, or tip prune (reducing off the tip inch or two) your plant to maintain it in form, however propagation requires pruning.
Be certain that your pruners are clear and sharp. This ensures clear cuts, and also you’ll reduce the prospect of spreading any ailments.
I made straight cuts proper above a node, which is the purpose from which new leaves and roots will develop.
You’ll see this within the video. There’s nothing scientific or creative about this pruning journey. I’m simply making cuts to form the plant and in addition to propagate.
I eliminated the stems winding and trailing out of the pot and people crossing over. I additionally tip-pruned a number of of the stems to encourage them to fill in a bit extra. A lot of the cuttings I took have been 8 – 12″ lengthy.
Are you interested by Peperomia obtusifolia care? Take a look at this publish for all the main points.
Common pruning (annually or so) encourages bushier development. It retains the plant in higher form and will be helpful to its total well being.
This shaping of the Peperomia obtusifolia you see right here compelled it to develop extra upright. If I wished one other hanging plant, I might have left or not it’s and simply finished somewhat tip pruning yearly or two. New facet development emerged off the primary stems, inflicting the plant to fill in additional.
Video Information
Methods to propagate a Child Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
1.) Stem cuttings in water
Water propagation is my favourite technique and the one I all the time use when propagating Child Rubber Vegetation. I’ll consult with this technique within the classes beneath. I take cuttings anyplace from 3″ to 10″ and take away the underside 1 to five leaves.
Typically, if the stems are curved, I’ll lower off extra. I would like the stems to be as straight as attainable. Take away a number of of the decrease leaves (the quantity is determined by the stem size). Put the lower finish of the stem in a vase or jar and observe the care directions additional down.
2.) Stem cuttings in soil
Put shorter cuttings (3-6″) into a light-weight potting combine with good drainage, like a propagation or succulent and cactus combine. You need the roots to emerge, and a dense combine will forestall that. Some individuals use rooting hormones, however I don’t. The selection is yours.
Maintain them in a brilliant spot out of direct daylight and ensure the combo stays evenly moist.
3.) Leaf cuttings
I’ve by no means finished this with Peperomias as a result of I’m manner too impatient. Nevertheless, I do know it may be finished simply as a result of there’s a variety of on-line data on this topic. The thick leaves and stems are nicely suited to this technique.
4.) Division
This works simply nice if you’ll find a approach to cut up the plant into two or three. When dividing indoor vegetation, I exploit a clear, sharp knife to begin the method after which gently draw back the divided sections. You possibly can see me dividing a ZZ Plant right here.
5.) Seed
One other technique of propagating Peperomias I’ve no expertise with, nevertheless it takes a really very long time!
When you’re new to houseplant gardening, please take a look at our houseplant necessities checklist.
How lengthy it takes for the cuttings to root in water
You’ll begin to see new roots rising in per week or two. I’ve discovered the method accelerates when the nice and cozy temperatures set in. I’ll be planting my cuttings in a few months’ time.
Methods to look after the cuttings in water whereas they’re rooting
Put the cuttings in a spot that receives brilliant oblique mild, with no direct, scorching daylight. Mine are at the moment on an east-facing windowsill, which will get an hour of direct solar very early within the morning.
Test the water stage to verify the underside node or two are lined with water. I do that each 5 days as a result of I dwell in a heat, sunny local weather. You will have to do it much less typically.
If the water begins trying funky, exchange it with contemporary water. I do that each two or three weeks to stop micro organism from rising within the water.
My faucet water has a variety of minerals in it, so I exploit filtered water from a faucet in my kitchen sink. Room temperature water is greatest.
Your cuttings have rooted; now what? This reveals methods to plant your Child Rubber Plant cuttings.
Good issues to know in regards to the Child Rubber Plant
This has nothing to do with Peperomia obtusifolia propagation, however they’re protected for pets. I do know a variety of you’re pet homeowners like myself (I’ve two kitties). In keeping with the ASPCA, Peperomias are thought of to be non-toxic.
Be certain that solely the underside one to 2 nodes are in water. Don’t fully submerge the stems in water; in any other case, roots might emerge additional up the stem.
Every reducing ought to have three to 10 leaves, relying on the size of the stem. Don’t submerge any leaves within the water; they’ll rot.
Test the water stage typically to verify the underside node or two are in water. Change the water fully each two to 3 weeks so micro organism doesn’t begin to develop.
Maintain your cuttings out of any direct, robust daylight. They’ll burn.
Need extra data on peperomias? Right here I reply your questions on rising peperomias.
This publish and video present how I repot peperomia vegetation and the confirmed combine I exploit. I at the moment have six peperomias (I like their foliage!), so one often wants a much bigger pot. They do very nicely right here within the desert and deal with the dry air like champs.
Nearly all of the cuttings I pot up are given away, however that’s not the case with these. I gave away the father or mother plant you see right here and saved the cuttings.
When you’re new to indoor gardening, attempt pruning and propagating. Gardening is all about experimentation and seeing what works. This is among the best houseplants and shiny foliage – what’s to not love?!
Completely satisfied gardening,
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Nell, the founding father of Pleasure Us backyard, was born right into a gardening household and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After residing in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert residence. She studied horticulture & backyard design, working within the discipline all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & creator. She’s been gardening for a really very long time & desires to share what she’s discovered with you.