Trailing Jade (Peperomia Rotundifolia)

Trailing Jade Peperomia is an evergreen perennial with long soft stems produce many small rounded leaves along the stems that may intertwine and weave in and out of each other. The round leaves are quite thick and soft succulent. Trailing jade can produce small flowers on spikes, however, they are non-showy and the main attraction is the trailing stems and leaves. These plants are ideal for hanging baskets and windowsills. Peperomia rotundifolia is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Scientific Classification :

Family:

Piperaceae

Scientific Name:

Peperomia Rotundifolia.

Common Names:

Trailing jade, Round-leaf Peperomia, Trailing jade Peperomia.

How to care and grow Trailing jade (Peperomia rotundifolia):

Light:

It thrives best in bright light, but no direct sun. A small amount of morning or evening sun won’t harm, but midday sun could scorch the leaves and harm the plant.

Soil:

Peperomia rotundifolia grows well in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil or a peat based soil is best, 2 parts peat and 1 part perlite or sand is a good mix.

Temperature:

Peperomia rotundifolia prefers ideal temperatures of 65ºF – 75ºF / 18-24ºC and no lower than 50ºF / 10ºC.

Water:

Water moderately but consistently during the growing season, Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Allow the top one inch of soil to dry out between waterings. During the winter reduce watering to a minimum.

Fertilizer:

Fertilize your plant once every 2 weeks in the spring and once a month during summer. Do not fertilize from autumn to spring.

Humidity:

During the summer mist the leaves. As the plant does prefer high humidity, grouping it together with other plants is a good idea. This will increase humidity within the area. If dry air problems occur, make efforts to improve the humidity, but most will be fine with normal indoor humidity levels.

Propagation:

Trailing Jade Peperomia can be easily propagated by Stem tip and by leaf cuttings. Take cuttings in spring or early summer.

Pruning:

Trailing jade plants can be pruned anywhere along the stem. If stems and leaves begin overgrowing you can pinch out the top of certain stems to stop growth, otherwise, they begin to grow spindly and out of shape in appearance. When pruning, take cuttings for propagation.

Re-potting:

Re-pot every three or four years, at the end of winter, transplant your peperomia carefully to a slightly larger pot than it’s current, adding a mixture of heather earth, topsoil and garden soil.

Pests and Diseases:

It has no serious pest or disease problems. Watch for mealybugs, spider mites, and whitefly. Leaf spots may occur. Susceptible to root rot if soils are kept too moist.