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Peperomia argyreia

Previously known as:

  • Peperomia sandersii
Phonetic Spelling
pep-er-ROH-mee-uh ar-JER-ree-uh
Description

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:
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#white flowers#showy leaves#interiorscape#herbaceous#cream flowers#fantz#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#white flowers#showy leaves#interiorscape#herbaceous#cream flowers#fantz#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Peperomia
    Species:
    argyreia
    Family:
    Piperaceae
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South America
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Insignificant, green, appear on stalks in the summer
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are non-woody, erect, unbranched, and dark red in color.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade