Pepper Face (Peperomia obtusifolia) is a popular houseplant that is easy to grow. Its graceful, waxy leaves make a great addition to plant groupings in your indoor space. Compared to other Peperomia species, Peperomisa obtusifolia is the easiest to grow. It is tolerant of a wide variety of conditions such as low light conditions. Here are tips on how to care for your Pepper Face indoors.
You may be interested in these peperomia houseplants: 8 Tips on How to Care for Your Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia Infographic) and 8 Tips on How to Care for Your Emerald Ripple Peperomia (Infographic)
Pepper Face (Peperomia obtusifolia) Houseplant Infographic
8 Tips on How to Take Care of Your Pepper Face (Peperomisa obtusifolia) Houseplant
1. Your Pepper Face is Happiest in Bright Filtered Light
Pepper Face will be happy in bright, filtered light. It does well in an East facing window or even a north window with low light. Your Pepper Face does well with artificial light.
2. Abundant Water is Best for Your Pepper Face
Your Pepper Face has abundant water requirements. Water your Pepper Face when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it is time to water your Pepper Face is to feel the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 0.5 inch deep. If it feels dry, it’s time to water your Pepper Face.
3. Get the Soil Right for Your Pepper Face
Your Pepper Face needs a well-draining, organic all-purpose potting mix.
4. Fertilize Your Pepper Face
Your Pepper Face should be fertilized once every 2 weeks at half strength during the growing season. Once a months in the winter.
5. Don’t forget to Repot Your Pepper Face
Repot your Pepper Face when it outgrows its current pot. Repot your Pepper Face in a container with a diameter 2 inches larger than the current pot. Keep your Pepper Face in small containers since these are small plants.
6. Drainage is Essential for Your Pepper Face
Good drainage is important, you don’t want your Pepper Face to sit in soggy soil. Make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. After watering your Pepper Face and you see water draining out of the pot’s drainage holes, make sure you empty out the accumulated water in the saucer. Don’t let your Pepper Face’s pot sit in this puddle of water. It will cause root rot!
7. Get the Temperature Right for Your Pepper Face
Your Pepper Face needs to have a daytime temperature of 70F to 80 Fahrenheit (21-26C). The Nighttime temperature should be at 60-70 Fahrenheit (15-21 C).
8. Humidity is Vital for Your Pepper Face
Your Pepper Face is a tropical houseplant that likes humid conditions. You should increase indoor humidity. Turn on the humidifier. Mist your Pepper Face a few times a week. Another way to increase humidity is to keep your Pepper Face in a saucer filled with water. But make sure the pot is elevated with pot feet or pebbles so your Pepper Face is not sitting directly on the water.
3 Common Pepper Face Houseplant Problems
The common problems for your Pepper Face houseplants are root rot, edema, and mealy bugs.
Why is there Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves and Stems of Your Pepper Face Plant?
Problem: There are fluffy white growths in between the leaves and stems of your Pepper Face.
Cause: Mealybugs are causing the fluffy white growth on your Pepper Face. It is a common houseplant disease.
Solution: To get rid of mealybugs on your Pepper Face, wash your plant with water. You can also use soapy water. Spraying rubbing alcohol on affected areas can also get rid of mealybugs. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap are also effective in getting rid of mealybugs.
Check out our article on how to make your own homemade pesticides using baby shampoo: How to Make Horticultural Oil and How to Make Insecticidal Soap
Why does your Pepper Face Look Wilted even if the Soil is Wet?
Problem: Your Pepper Face looks wilted even if the soil is wet. Check for root rot by pulling the plant out and examining the roots. If the roots of your Pepper Face plant look mushy (healthy roots are firm) and the roots are gray to black in color, these are telltale signs of root rot.
Cause: Root rot is caused by fungus and is a serious problem for your Pepper Face. Root rot is a result of wet soil due to overwatering or poor drainage.
Solution: When your Pepper Face is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Your best course of action is to throw your Pepper Face out and start over with a new plant. This time don’t overwater your Pepper Face and make sure there is good drainage in the pot.
Why are there Small Brown Bumps on the Leaves of Your Pepper Face?
Problem: There are many small brown bumps on the leaves of your Pepper Face. These brown bumps can’t be picked off the leaves.
Cause: Your Pepper Face has developed Edema. These small brown bumps are growth on the leaves that are a result of overwatering.
Solution: Reduce watering frequency on your Pepper Face. Make sure there is sufficient drainage so your Pepper Face does not sit on soggy soil.
Pepper Face Houseplant Facts
Name | Pepper Face |
Scientific Name | Peperomia obtusifolia |
Light | Bright Filtered Light |
Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
Water | Abundant Water |
Humidity | High Humidity |
Potting | Well-draining, organic, all-purpose potting mix |
Fertilizer | Once every 2 weeks at half strength during the growing season. Once a months in the winter. |
Toxic to Pets and Humans | Non-Toxic |
Peperomia obtusifolia Houseplant: Frequently Asked Questions
What are Common Names of Pepper Face?
Pepper Face (Peperomia obtusifolia) is also called Baby Rubber Plant, American Rubber Plant, and Baby Rubberplant.
Is Your Pepper Face Toxic to Pets?
Your Pepper Face Plant is not toxic to pets. However, you may want to keep your Pepper Face out of reach if you find your pet snacking on it frequently!
Find out which houseplants are toxic to pets and humans
How Can You Tell When It’s Time to Water Your Pepper Face?
Water your Pepper Face when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it’s time to water is by sticking your finger into the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 0.5 inches deep. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water your Pepper Face.
Can You Use Cold Water When Watering Your Pepper Face?
Pepper Face can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your Pepper Face. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your Pepper Face.
Pepper Face prefers cool water that is not hot and not cold. When you turn on the cold water from the faucet, add a little warm water. You can also get to this ideal temperature by filling a watering can or pitcher with water and leaving it out overnight until the water is at room temperature.
What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Pepper Face?
Use liquid or powder, organic fertilizer with a higher nitrogen ratio on your Pepper Face.
How Big Does Your Pepper Face Get?
Your Pepper Face is a small houseplant that is less than 12 inches tall and wide.
How Do You Propagate Your Pepper Face?
Pepper Face Plant is easy to propagate. You can propagate your Pepper Face plant by stem tip cutting.
Below are steps on how to propagate Pepper Face Plant by stem tip cutting:
1. Take a Stem Tip Cutting of your Pepper Face Plant (include a node)
Pick a stem with a node. Cut below the node.
2. Place your Pepper Face Stem Cutting in a Jar of Water
Place the Pepper Face stem into a jar of water and wait for it to grow roots. To help it focus its energy on growing roots, make sure your stem has a maximum of 2 leaves. Cut off extra leaves as needed.
Another way to stimulate root growth is to dip your stem cutting in root hormone and plant it in moist sand. I personally prefer the jar method so you can easily see the roots come out. Know that not all stem cuttings of Pepper Face will grow roots, so to be safe, cut a few stem cuttings so you will at least get one with roots.
3. Plant the Peperomia Stem Cutting in a New Pot
Once the roots grow, plant these stem cuttings into a new pot. Water the new plant immediately after planting. Then water every 2-3 days until the roots are established.
4. Place New Pepper Face Plant in a Spot with Bright Indirect Sun
Place your new Pepper Face plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight. Don’t put it in direct sunlight.
You May Also Be Interested in These Small Houseplants:
8 Tips on How to Care for Your Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus Infographic)
9 Tips on How to Care for Your African Violet (Infographic)
7 Tips on How to Care for Your Haworthia Plant (Infographic)
Want More Suburbs 101?
Be sure to Follow Us on Instagram, Like Us on Facebook, Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, and subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.
Suburbs 101 participates in affiliate programs including the Amazon Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.