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Peperomia Frost (Peperomia caperata ‘Frost’), sometimes called Peperomia Silver Frost, is an adorable peperomia cultivar that looks like it’s been covered in a layer of…frost!
Read on for what you need to know about Peperomia frost care, propagation, problems, and more.
Where can I buy a Peperomia Frost?
You can grab one of these cuties on Etsy. Here is a beautiful peperomia being sold by one of my favorite Etsy shops—check it out!
Peperomia Frost Care
Light Level: | Bright, indirect. Can also grow in moderate. |
Watering: | When it’s almost completely dry |
Potting Mix: | Well draining and well aerated |
Repotting: | Every few years |
Fertilizing: | Once a month at half-strength during the growing season |
Humidity: | Above average |
Temperature: | 60 – 80° F (16 – 27 °C) |
Pruning: | To remove any dead foliage |
Peperomia Frost Light
Peperomia Frost does best when placed in bright, indirect light, but it can also grow in medium-level light.
Indirect light means the sun’s rays should not be shining directly on your peperomia. That would be direct light, and it could end up burning your poor little pep!
On the other hand, too low light can lead to pretty sad-looking growth. So, if you don’t have medium to bright natural light in your home, I’d suggest investing in a grow light.
Grow lights can save your plants—they’ve certainly saved mine. Full-spectrum grow lights mimic the light that comes from the sun. They are SO worth it. Below is one of my absolute favorite sets of lights.
How often do you water a Peperomia Frost?
Water your Peperomia Frost when it’s almost completely dry.
Peperomias are not succulents, but their leaves are succulent-like. When your plant is thirsty it might start to droop slightly and its leaves will be a lot more flexible since they are no longer full of water.
However, the first-and-foremost way you should check if your plant is dry and needs to be watered is by actually feeling the potting mix. Then, there will be no way to accidentally overwater it and cause root rot!
Potting Mix
Peperomia Frost is an epiphyte, meaning it grows on the surface of another plant—a tree—without harming it. It takes its moisture and nutrients from its surroundings rather than up from the ground.
Being that this plant doesn’t grow out of the tightly packed soil on the ground, it prefers a well-draining and well-aerated potting mix.
You can accomplish this by using a general houseplant potting mix, perlite, and orchid bark. About a 1-1-1 ratio of these ingredients will do. Usually, I just eyeball it!
When should I repot Peperomia Frost?
As epiphytes, peperomias have small root systems. They’re also slow growing and they like to be root bound. These three factors add up to one thing—this peperomia does not need to be repotted often!
Every couple of years you can replace potting mix. While you’re doing that, check to see if it looks like it’s outgrown its pot. If it is, you can move it to a pot the next size up. It is hasn’t, simply keep using the same pot.
Make sure to use a pot that has good drainage!
Fertilizing
To feed your Frost, use a houseplant fertilizer once a month at half-strength during the growing season, which is the spring and summer. Peperomias aren’t heavy feeders, so it’s important not to overfertilize them.
Humidity
While Peperomia Frost is a cultivar, peperomias, in general, are native to tropical environments. Therefore, they will appreciate above-average humidity.
There are a few methods to provide humidity to your houseplants, but my favorite is the easiest—using a humidifier!
It’s low maintenance and it can raise humidity for a whole room full of plants (depending on the size of the humidifier). Below is one of my favorite humidifiers for plants.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for Peperomia Frost is 60 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit (about 16 – 27 degrees Celsius).
While you don’t need to worry about the precise degree, you do want to be sure to move your peperomia away from any cold or drafty areas in the winter. This goes for all houseplants.
Pruning
Pruning your Peperomia Frost isn’t necessary except to remove any dead or dying leaves. You should be able to easily pluck these away.
Buy a beautiful Peperomia Frost here!
Flowers and Foliage
Peperomia Frost is a cultivar of rippled peperomia. It has rippled, rounded leaves with pointed tips. The leaves are somewhat heart shaped, and they are a pale silvery green with dark-green veins.
They look exactly like they’ve been frosted over. Hence the name!
Peperomias bloom flower spikes. You might see one and wonder if it’s some kind of weird, misformed leaf. Nope! That’s what peperomia flowers look like.
If there are many flower spikes, consider cutting them off as they can take energy away from the foliage.
The photo below shows an example of peperomia flower spikes.
Peperomia Frost Propagation
Propagation Using Leaf Cuttings
Along with how pretty they are, peperomias are special because they can be propagated using only their leaves! Here’s a step-by-step guide to this easy Peperomia Frost propagation method.
- Remove a few healthy leaves. You don’t need the petiole (the little stem attached to the leaf), just the leaf.
- Use a pair of clean, sharp scissors to cut horiztonally. Yep—right across the center of each leaf.
- Plant the leaves with the cut side down into moist potting medium—potting mix, sphagnum moss, or another medium you prefer to use for propagation.
- Place the leaves in bright, indirect light and in a humid area.
- An easy way to give cuttings extra humidity is by placing a clear plastic bag over the container. Just remove it once in a while so it doesn’t get too muggy inside.
- Keep your potting medium lightly moist as the new roots develop. Not soaking wet, but moist.
- Peperomia Frost is a slow grower, so you’ll need to have some patience. Eventually, you’ll notice new roots and some cute little baby plants sprouting up.
- When the new plants are a few inches tall, remove them from the old cut leaf (they should easily pop off) and plant them into a permanent pot.
Propagation Using Petiole/Stem Cuttings
You can also propagate Peperomia Frost with petiole cuttings (the little stem attached to the leaf).
- Cut off a few healthy stems. Then, cut the stems back so only about a half-inch of the petioles are still attached to the leaves.
- Stick the petioles into moist potting medium—potting mix, sphagnum moss, or another medium you prefer to use for propagation.
- The petioles will be planted but the leaves should be above the potting medium—not buried.
- Place the stems in bright, indirect light and in a humid area.
- An easy way to give cuttings extra humidity is by placing a clear plastic bag over the container. Just remove it once in a while so it doesn’t get too muggy inside.
- Keep your potting medium lightly moist as the new roots develop. (Remember, not wet, but moist.)
- Once roots have developed you can start treating the cutting like a normal plant.
- To check if roots have developed, after the first few weeks you can very gently tug the cutting and feel if you’re met with any resistance. If not, that’s OK too. Peperomias are slow growers so just give it more time.
Why is my Peperomia Frost dying?
The most common reason for your peperomia to be dying is overwatering. Leaf drop and yellows leaves are two common signs of overwatering.
Note that they can also be signs of UNDERwatering, so it’s important that you use your finger to feel the potting mix to confirm whether your plant is too dry or too wet.
If you’ve confirmed that your Frost is too wet, remove any dead foliage and allow the plant to dry out before watering it again. Depending on the time of year and light level, this could take weeks, so be patient!
Make sure your plant has good drainage and is in an appropriate light level as well. Once your plant is dry, resume a normal watering routine, making sure to check the soil for moisture before watering.
Other Peperomia Problems
Some other common problems you might experience with your peperomia include:
Legginess
Your plant grows in a more stretched-out manner contributing to sparse-looking growth. This happens when it doesn’t have enough light. If you want a nice, bushy Peperomia Frost, make sure it has enough light!
Droopy Foliage
Your peperomia is most likely too dry. Once it’s watered, it will perk back up within a day or so. Note that overwatering can also lead to droopy foliage, so make sure to feel the potting mix first to confirm the problem.
Pests
Peperomia Frost is not particularly prone to pests. However, there’s always somewhat of a risk of pests when it comes to houseplants.
Some potential pests include spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. To help with pest prevention I like to use Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control—I use this on any new plants I bring into my home.
Is Peperomia Frost toxic?
No, this peperomia is not toxic. However, keep in mind that even if a plant is non-toxic, it can still cause tummy troubles for pets.
How big do Peperomia Frost get?
Peperomia Frost is an adorable little plant. It will grow to be about six inches to one foot in height.
Peperomias are slow growing in general. But slow and steady wins the race in my opinion—they are gorgeous plants!
Is Peperomia Frost rare?
No, the Peperomia Frost is not rare. While it was considered rare at one point, and you still might not be able to find it at your local garden center, it is very easy to find online.
Convinced this Peperomia MUST be your next plant? Get one here!
Peperomia Frost vs. Watermelon
Peperomia Frost and Watermelon Peperomia do look similar, but there are a few key differences:
- Watermelon peperomia has very distinct variegation that looks like the outside of a watermelon, while the Frost does not have this. It looks like it’s covered in frost.
- Watermelon peperomia has darker red stems. Frost stems have an orangey tint but are not as red.
- Peperomia Frost’s leaves have a rippled texture while watermelon peperomia’s leaves are smooth.
- Watermelon peperomia’s leaves come to a more distinct point at the tip.
Care Summary
- Light – Bright, indirect. Can also grow in moderate.
- Watering – When it’s almost completely dry
- Potting Mix – Well draining and well aerated
- Repotting – Every few years
- Fertilizing – Once a month at half-strength during the growing season
- Humidity – Above average
- Temperature – 60 – 80° F (16 – 27 °C)
- Pruning – To remove any dead foliage
More Peperomia Posts
- Peperomia Raindrop
- Cupid Peperomia
- Watermelon Peperomia
- Peperomia Hope
- Peperomia Prostrata (String of Turtles)
- Peperomia Obtusifolia
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