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Peperomia scandens ‘variegata,’ commonly known as the Cupid Peperomia for its pretty leaves that look like hearts, is a unique and easy-to-care-for houseplant. Read on to learn how to SUCCEED when caring for and propagating this peperomia.
Are peperomia easy to care for?
Yes, the peperomia genus, in general, is very easy to care for! While some species grow slower than others, their care routine is simple. The Cupid Peperomia makes a great houseplant for beginners!
Where can I find a Cupid Peperomia?
You can find a Cupid Peperomia for sale very easily on Etsy. Check out this one!
Cupid Peperomia care
Here is a quick look at caring for the Cupid Peperomia, but read on for full details and more tips!
Light | Bright to medium, indirect |
Watering | Allow it to nearly dry out |
Soil | A well-draining and aerated mix |
Repotting | Every few years, when it outgrows its pot |
Fertilizing | Once a month during the growing season |
Humidity | Prefers high, but fine with average |
Temperature | Between 60 – 80° F (16 – 27° C), not below 55° F (13° C) |
Pruning | To remove dead foliage, grow a bushier plant, and remove leggy stems |
Do Peperomia need lots of light?
Cupid Peperomia does not necessarily need “lots” of light—they will grow well in bright to medium indirect light. Low light, however, will make for an unhappy plant.
How much sun does my peperomia need?
The Cupid Peperomia likes bright to medium indirect light. Do not place it in direct sun, or the foliage can burn.
Not that its light source doesn’t need to be natural light from the sun. Grow lights are a great alternative and a real life-saver for low-light areas!
This is one of my absolute favorite grow lights. They are so convenient to use in a variety of different places throughout your home. And most important, my plants thrive under them!
How often should you water Peperomia?
The Cupid Peperomia stores water in its succulent-like leaves and stems. Therefore, you don’t need to water it as often as other plants. Water it thoroughly once the potting mix is nearly dry.
Watering peperomia too often can lead to root rot since they simply won’t be able to use all that water in a short amount of time. To avoid overwatering, use your finger to feel the potting mix to determine how dry it is first.
Cupid Peperomia soil
The Cupid Peperomia is an epiphyte. This means instead of growing out of the ground, it grows on the surface of something else like in the cracks of trees or rocks and gets nutrients from its surroundings instead of the ground.
This indicates that the plant prefers a well-draining and well-aerated potting mix. You can use a mix of general houseplant potting mix, perlite, and orchid bark. About a 1-1-1 ratio of these ingredients will do.
You can also just use a 1:1 ratio of general houseplant potting mix and perlite if you do not have bark. See some of my favorite brands below!
When should I repot Cupid Peperomia?
Peperomias have shallow root systems and they like to be somewhat rootbound. Therefore, they won’t need to be repotted any sooner than every couple of years.
That said, your peperomia WILL eventually outgrow its pot. If your plant appears to be getting too big for its pot and you notice stunted or sad-looking growth, it’s most likely time to move it into a bigger home!
Use a pot the next size up that has a drainage hole and, if possible, leave your repotting for the growing season.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing Cupid Peperomia isn’t necessary, but a little bit of fertilizer can be beneficial. Use a balanced general fertilizer, diluted by half, once a month in spring and summer (the growing season). Don’t overdo it!
Humidity
Native to humid areas of South America and Mexico, the Cupid Peperomia will definitely appreciate higher humidity levels. The easiest way to provide this is by simply using a humidifier—it’s easy, low maintenance, and can help out many plants at once!
This is one of my favorite humidifiers. It can last up to a full day and is great for an average-sized room!
Buy a beautiful Cupid Peperomia (like the one below) here!
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for Cupid Peperomia is between 60 – 80° Fahrenheit (16 – 27° Celsius). However, getting the temperature exactly right is really not something to stress over.
Your average household temperature will be fine, just don’t place this plant in an area that gets below 55° Fahrenheit (13° Celsius). You can do this by keeping it away from cold areas of your house in the wintertime.
Pruning
Aside from removing any dead foliage, pruning Cupid Peperomia is not necessary but it’s helpful to control the shape of your plant. If you have leggy stems, meaning long and stretched-out with fewer leaves, you can prune those off.
In addition, be sure your peperomia is in an appropriate light level since legginess happens when plants don’t get enough light.
You can also grow a bushier Cupid Peperomia by making sure to prune above the nodes. The direction “above” is as if you were holding the end of the vine pointing towards the ceiling.
New growth comes from the nodes, so cutting above a node will push out new vines from that node on the stem.
Flowers and Foliage
The Cupid Peperomia is a trailing plant that has variegated bright green and cream leaves, with the cream-colored parts mostly around the edges of the leaves.
This particular peperomia is easily mistaken for a philodendron or pothos. Personally, I think it somewhat resembles an N’Joy pothos!
Like other peperomias, the Cupid grows flower spikes. They don’t look like a typical “flower”—peperomia flower spikes literally look like light-green spikes. If you have many flower spikes, consider cutting them off so they don’t drain the plant of energy.
Below is a photo of some peperomia flower spikes. This is NOT a Cupid Peperomia, but it provides a good example of what the flowers look like.
Climbing
While climbing isn’t necessary, it’s a beautiful way to display your plant! You can use a trellis like this one (similar to the one in the next photo) to give your peperomia support and allow it to climb.
Cupid Peperomia Propagation
Propagating Cupid Peperomia is easily done through stem cuttings either directly into potting mix or in water before transferring them into potting mix.
How to Propagate Cupid Peperomia in Potting Mix
- Cut off a healthy vine with at least one node and one leaf (even better if you can get more, though).
- Make sure to cut below a node. The direction “below” is as if you were holding the end of the vine pointing towards the ceiling. New growth—roots in this case—comes from the nodes.
- Now, plant the cut end of the vine into moistened potting mix. The node should be buried, but any leaves should not.
- It’s time to let the plant do its thing—keep the cutting in bright, indirect light and keep the potting mix moist. Additional humidity can help the growth process, too.
- After about a month, you can test your cutting to see if roots have developed. Give it a gentle tug. If you feel resistance, that means roots have formed.
- Keep in mind it might take longer than this, but a month is a good check-in point.
- You can now pot it up into its permanent home (if it’s not already there), water it, and that’s it!
How to Propagate Cupid Peperomia in Water
Water propagation follows the same concept as above, but the roots are grown in water first.
- Cut off a healthy vine with at least one node and one leaf (even better if you can get more, though).
- Make sure to cut below a node. The direction “below” is as if you were holding the end of the vine pointing towards the ceiling. New growth—roots in this case—comes from the nodes.
- Put the cutting into a jar of room-temperature water. At least one node should be under the surface, but the leaves should not. You can remove some leaves if they’re too low on the stem.
- Set the cutting in an area with bright, indirect light. Make sure to refill the water when needed, and periodically replace it when it starts to get dirty.
- When the roots are two to three inches long, your cutting is ready to be potted up into its permanent pot. Give it a good watering, and voila! That’s it!
Cupid Peperomia Problems
Some potential problems for the Cupid Peperomia with their common causes include:
Yellow leaves
This is most likely an overwatering issue since this peperomia likes to almost dry out in between waterings. However, it’s sometimes an underwatering issue, so be sure to feel the soil with your finger to help determine the cause.
Root rot
Root rot is when you’ve consistently overwatered your plant for too long. Yellow leaves are usually a minor case, while root rot is the next stage and a lot harder to come back from. If you act fast, you might be able to save your plant from root rot.
Sparse growth
This is often a case of too little light. Be sure to provide your Cupid Peperomia with plenty of bright to medium indirect light!
Leaf spot diseases
This is not a particularly common problem, but black spots on the foliage can indicate certain leaf spot diseases. Use a pair of sharp scissors (sterilize them before AND after) to cut off infected foliage. Also, keep the infected plant away from other plants.
Wet conditions provide an excellent environment for bacteria, fungi, and viruses to thrive. Try not to leave the foliage constantly wet.
Pests
Pests are not much of an issue for the Cupid Peperomia, but some common pests like mealybugs and fungus gnats are possible.
To help prevent pests in the first place, I use Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control when I repot plants and also when I bring any new plants home.
Is Cupid Peperomia toxic to dogs and cats?
Cupid Peperomia (and all other Peperomias) are non-toxic to dogs and cats. Non-toxic plants can still cause some harm, like tummy troubles, so it’s best to keep all plants away from pets regardless.
Is a peperomia a succulent?
Peperomias are not classified as succulents, but they have succulent-like qualities in that they have fleshy leaves and stems that store water. This is why they can go longer without being watered!
Do peperomias grow fast?
While some peperomias grow faster than others, overall, they are not very fast growers. However, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that the Cupid Peperomia IS a fast grower!
Is Peperomia good for indoors?
Yes, peperomias make beautiful and easy indoor plants. Some people even grow them outside, providing the climate is right. Remember, the Cupid Peperomia is native to South America and Mexico.
Ready to make this Peperomia your next plant? Buy one here before it’s gone!
Care Summary
- Light – Bright to medium indirect
- Watering – When nearly dry
- Soil – A well-draining and aerated mix
- Repotting – Every few years, when it outgrows its pot
- Fertilizing – Once a month during the growing season
- Humidity – Prefers high, but fine with average
- Temperature – Between 60 – 80° F (16 – 27° C), not below 55° F (13° C)
- Pruning – To remove dead foliage, grow a bushier plant, and remove leggy stems
More Peperomia Posts
- Peperomia Raindrop
- Peperomia Frost
- Watermelon Peperomia
- Peperomia Hope
- Peperomia Prostrata (String of Turtles)
- Peperomia Obtusifolia
Huge thanks to @hlmn.rglo and @plant.dreaming for allowing me to include their GORGEOUS photos in this post!
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