Peperomia polybotrya Raindrop Care

It is one of those absolutely irresistible green plants. Generous in its leaves, striking and with great ornamental value. But there is one more reason to fall madly in love with her. The care of the Peperomia polybotrya Raindrop does nothing more than make it easier for us to enjoy a plant with intensely green and bright heart-shaped leaves. An appearance as elegant as it is attractive that has not gone unnoticed: today, this beauty is one of the trending plants.

Although its origins are not completely clear, it is important to know that it is native to tropical areas of South America. A provenance that can give us some clues regarding its temperature needs, but that can be misleading when it comes to irrigation. And it is that this variety of Peperomia has a singularity: its leaves and stems behave like those of succulents and succulents, storing water inside. A vital detail that we must not lose sight of for the very survival of the plant.

So let’s see in detail what are the care of the Peperomia polybotrya Raindrop. A plant that receives this name due to the resemblance of its leaves to raindrops, although, popularly, it is also called «man’s heart».

5 CARE FOR PEPEROMIA BOLYBOTRYA RAINDROP KEYS TO ITS WELL-BEING

Interestingly, and despite its popularity, it is more than common to confuse this plant with the Pilea Peperomioides. And, although it is true that their appearance bears a reasonable resemblance, there are more differences than similarities. The first of all: the shape of its leaves. As much cousins ​​as they are, the leaves of the Pilea are completely round. But there is something else that we have to consider: although they share many details, the care of the Peperomia polybotrya Raindrop is substantially different from that of the Chinese money plant. And it is convenient to know it to avoid unpleasantness.

Apart from this and as it happens with the Pilea, the Peperomia polybotrya is a plant that decorates itself. Given that it does not reach a large size, it can be a perfect choice whether we are looking for desktop plants or if we want to create a composition of green plants, playing with volumes and heights. It’s also a perfect candidate for the list of easy-to-care-for plants whether we’re new to gardening or have the title of «professional plant killer» assigned to us.

Let’s see what this perfect indoor plant needs to display its beautiful leaves generously.

1. Lots of indirect light, the starting point for Peperomia polybotrya Raindrop care

It could be said that it is the real secret of its cultivation. To be healthy and grow vigorously, the Peperomia bolybotrya needs to be in a location with a lot of light but always indirect. A fundamental detail, since if it is exposed to the sun, its leaves run the risk of burning. Given her need for light, a perfect spot for her is near a window. Of course: it is essential to filter the light through a curtain so that it does not damage it.

If we place it in a place where it does not receive the amount of light it needs, our Peperomia will let us know by stopping its growth.

2. Warm temperature, essential for your well-being

We cannot forget that it is a tropical plant! For this reason and to ensure its well-being, the ideal is to have it in a space that is between 18 and 25 degrees.

If it is subjected to less than 10 degrees, the plant will not only start to drop its leaves: it is also likely that its life will be seriously compromised. And what happens if it is very hot? That we will see a change in its leaves. In this case, and unlike the cold, it is easy to counteract it by increasing the ambient humidity.

Since it is cold, we will not be able to expose it to drafts either.

3. Moderate irrigation and environmental humidity, the crux of your crop

We come to one of the most delicate Peperomia bolybotrya Raindrop care. And not because it is complicated to water but, rather, because doing it correctly involves knowing its water needs. What’s more: it is not only applicable to this Peperomia, but an excess of water is usually one of the mistakes we make the most when caring for plants. For this reason and more important than knowing how to recover a plant with excess irrigation, it is essential to know what each one demands to avoid it.

In the case of the Peperomia bolybotrya Raindrop and as we said before, it has a behavior similar to that of succulent plants. Therefore, it requires moderate watering. But how to know when it’s time to water again so as not to overdo it? Simple: checking the humidity of the substrate beyond the surface layer. If the soil is dry to a few inches deep, it’s time to water again.

In addition, and especially in the hot months, it is important that it has a certain degree of environmental humidity.

4. Regular fertilization in hot months, the key to its growth

As we said, the Peperomia polybotrya Raindrop is a very generous plant in the creation of leaves but, despite being part of its nature, you have to help it to achieve it!

Achieving it means paying regularly during the spring and summer months: the two seasons of the year in which this beautiful Peperomia develops. Just as important as doing it at the right time is using the right fertilizer. For her, the ideal is a liquid fertilizer for green plants diluted in the irrigation.

5. Pests, something that will not keep us awake at night in the care of the Peperomia polybotrya Raindrop

We said at the beginning that the care of the Peperomia bolybotrya Raindrop made it very easy to enjoy it. And it is that, in addition to what we have seen, there is one more detail that makes it perfect: it has an incredible resistance to pests.

What does this mean? Well, despite its fleshy leaves and stems, the pests of indoor plants such as cochineal, aphids or red spiders do not usually affect it.

Knowing all this, who can resist a plant that is as beautiful as it is easy to care for? It is simply impossible!