How to Propagate Peperomia: 3 Proven Methods I've Tested

This post shares all about how to propagate peperomia plants. Peperomia plants can be propagated in both water and soil—and they’ll also grow from both leaf and stem cuttings. Let me show you how it works!

How to Propagate Peperomia: 3 Proven Methods

Alright alright alright, it’s time for another plant propagation post! Today I’m jumping off of the peperomia care tips post I published a few weeks ago and am talking about propagating peperomia. Because it’s easy to care for and easy to propagate. That’s what’s up.

Quick little refresher on peperomia plant care first. Because you gotta know the right way to take care of your plants before you make more of them. There are over 1,500 varieties of this small plant, but I chatted about four of the most popular varieties you’ve probably seen in your local nursery:

Obtusifolia (aka baby rubber plant)
Argyreia (aka watermelon peperomia)
Argyreia (aka red edge peperomia)
Caperata (aka ripple peperomia)

Peperomia plants in general do not like to be overwatered and have pretty shallow root systems, so they should always be planted in a well-draining soil. I just use a regular houseplant soil with some perlite and peat moss added in, and that has worked well for me. Use this same kind of mixture when rooting peperomia cuttings in soil.

Like most plants, the best time for propagation is spring and summer. But it can be done in the fall. I know I’m going to try to keep my little babies going this fall. Also keep in mind that variegated peperomia plants (like the baby rubber plant) shouldn’t be propagated from leaf cuttings. Only stem cuttings in soil or water. Propagating from a leaf cutting can lead to it losing all of its lovely variegation in color.

Peperomia Propagation Methods: Propagating peperomia in water

The first easy way to propagate peperomia is in water. The process is very similar to that of rooting pothos cuttings in water. You simply cut off a stalk (not just a leaf) and pop it in a cup of water. Mine began developing tiny white, almost-translucent roots after about 6 weeks.

Give it a few more weeks once you see the initial signs of the tiny white roots. Then transplant it into a small pot and continue to baby it as you would any other new plant. Keep it in a humid environment, and keep it moist (but with sufficient air flow so it doesn’t get moldy). I put mine in a cup with drainage holes in a bathroom window. It will begin to sprout new growth eventually.

Want more plant content? Check out my rubber plant care guide, my string of pearls care guide, my prickly pear cactus care guide, my peperomia plant care guide, my philodendron care guide, my snake plant care guide, my guide to caring for the wandering jew, and my post about 15 DIY planters to help you decorate with plants!

Here’s an example of a peperomia cutting that has rooted in water so well that it has actually started sprouting in the water! I planted this one in fresh soil shortly after I took this picture. Isn’t it beautiful? 🙂 A few weeks later, I planted this in soil, trimmed the stem down, and let the new plant sprout!

sales graphic for the pet owner's houseplant guide

Peperomia Propagation Methods: Soil Propagation Steps

Another way to propagate peperomia is using soil. This is a method I am using right now to propagate some little ripple peppers. There are two ways to root new peperomia plants from cuttings: by using a leaf cutting or by using a tip/stem cutting. The tip/stem method is also what I’m using.

Propagating peperomia by stem cuttings

To propagate a peperomia plant using a stem cutting, it’s best practice to cut a stem with a few leaves. However, I’ve not always done this, and the cutting still do well. The most important thing to remember is that the cuttings come from healthy plants. Remove lower leaves and dip the stem in a rooting hormone powder. Then carefully plant in a well-draining potting soil.

Once planted, you can create the world tiniest greenhouse by putting the planted cutting in a large plastic bag or other clear plastic item like a plastic bottle cut in half. Adding holes to whatever enclosure you decided on will help with air circulation, but you should still let the plant breathe fresh air every few days.

This is my official advice, but I am lazy and just put my little rooting babies in a humid room with a window (bathroom) and keep most of them planted in an old plastic salad greens container. This helps to keep some of the humidity in and let’s me reuse something that’s a pain to throw out.

After a few weeks (sometimes longer), you’ll notice new plants begin to sprout. Transplant into different pots once they are large enough to make the journey. Continue to baby as they develop in to tiny little beauties!

Propagating peperomia by leaf cuttings

You can even propagate peperomia plants using leaf cuttings (but remember to use this method only for solid varieties). The process is the same as propagating by a stem cutting, except you just need to cut off leaves with tiny stems on them and plant those. You can use rooting hormone when propagating by leaf cuttings as well.