Planta
Back to Anything about plants

Update on my peperomia: It seems to continue to decline. I am… | Anything about plants | Planta community

Deanna

Update on my peperomia: It seems to continue to decline. I am debating on continuing to watch, as it seems to have occasional healthy leaves, or trying to propagate and start a new plant if it grows. This is normally such a beautiful plant I am sad to see it die:( Summary: bought it on July 7th. In September I started noticing some yellowing leaves, and some soft drying out & drooping ones. After some research I thought I might be overwatering it. I then repotted it in a terracotta pot, also read somewhere that it needs more light than what I had on my balcony so I shone a grow light on it 8 hours/day. Now it really is much more sad looking. Any thoughts/suggestions? The pictures show the progression.

Attachment 1 of 3Attachment 2 of 3Attachment 3 of 3
1 like 9 comments

9 comments

  1. Aisha

    I’d say smaller pot. I don’t have experience with peperomia specifically but most plants I’ve found really appreciate a snug pot. The general rule of thumb is the pot should be only 1”-2” larger than the root ball of the plant. If it’s an unfamiliar plant I usually try to go as small as possible. So I’d stick it in as small a pot as it will fit in basically. And use a well draining soil mix. This plant does look pretty water logged. The roots should be checked. If they’re mushy/brown/stinky then your best bet would be to propagate whatever healthy leaves you can find and start over.

    3 likes
  2. Deanna

    Thank you for your advice! I will try a smaller pot and inspect the roots in the process:)

    1 like
  3. Sage

    If it were me I’d throw it in water honestly! Grow its root system from there, and then you won’t have to worry about over/under watering. I’ve had a similar experience with one of my peperomias, and it’s starting to finally perk back up and is even flowering again!

    2 likes
    • Deanna

      If overwatering is a problem, won’t submerging the root system in water cause further damage? I’m new to plants and still learning:)

      0 likes
    • Sage

      Nope! No clue on the science of it, but the roots will soak up however much water it wants when placed in only water, allowing it to a grow a more established root system. In soil, especially overwatered soil, the roots can rot because they’re essentially forced to take up more water than they want to.

      1 like
    • Kades

      Just know they can go through an adjustment period and lose a lot of foliage. You’re also likely to lose some roots. It takes time for them to transition to water. I have like half of my plants in water and once they’re used to it they thrive. Some plants don’t make it through the transition in my experience

      1 like
  4. Deanna

    Everything I read says the roots from root rot are soft and gooey- these aren’t but I’m not sure it’s supposed to be brown like this. I am attempting my last rescue mission as more leaves and some branches have melted off the plant:(

    Attachment 1 of 1
    0 likes
    • Sage

      Update on my water peperomia prop: what was once a dying branch similar to this one is growing more roots and even a new branch!!! I think while you try your last efforts you should consider taking a prop and throwing it in water :)

      1 like
  5. Deanna

    I will give that a go! Thanks:)

    1 like