Peperomia argyreia
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Peperomia sandersii
- Phonetic Spelling
- pep-er-ROH-mee-uh ar-JER-ree-uh
- Description
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Watermelon Peperomia is a tropical evergreen herbaceous shrub that is erect and bushy, grows up to 8" tall and can be used as a houseplant in temperate climates. It is named Watermelon Peperomia because its leaves resemble the rind of a watermelon. They tend to be small and look better in groupings of plants with similar cultural needs. The decorative, watermelon-striped, waxy leaves and cream-colored, spiked inflorescence add interest to this plant. Leaf attachment is a rare true peltate. This plant is used as a specimen or as a desktop plant. This plant tolerates low light for several months without stress. It is intolerant of wet soil, very dry soil, or very drafty sires. This plant prefers medium light, dry soil (but not too dry), and medium to low humidity. Bright but indirect sunlight and over-watering will cause root rot and under-watering will cause the plant to wilt. Allow the soil to dry to the touch at the top before watering and reduce watering in the winter months. They will not need to be repotted often as they thrive being pot-bound. This houseplant is not toxic to cats or dogs. This plant has no serious pest or disease problems.
Hardiness: 50 degrees F
Habit: bushy
Form: rosette
Exposure: indirect light
Soil: potting mix
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are smooth and striped like a watermelon
- Petioles and stems are red
- Inflorescences are numerous creamy spikes
- Leaf attachment is peltate
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Peperomia
- Species:
- argyreia
- Family:
- Piperaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Leaf Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South America
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Insignificant, green, appear on stalks in the summer
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are white-cream in color and minute. Flowers have 2 stamens and no perianths. Inflorescence is an erect spike (spadix), axillary, and 2-4" in size.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Waxy
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are broadly ovate, acute, rotund, entire, concave, silver-gray above with dark striped along main veins, waxy, peltate, green in color, and have a showy mixture of silver and white stripes. Petioles grow up to 5" and are red.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are non-woody, erect, unbranched, and dark red in color.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
