Watermelon Peperomia Care & Propagation

All about growing watermelon peperomia!

I’ve written about loving silver plants in the past, and today’s plant—the watermelon peperomia, or peperomia argyreia—definitely fits that description! Each of this plant’s leaves look like tiny watermelons with waxy green and silver variegation.

It is part of the Piperaceae family, which contains about 3,600 species split into two genera: Piper and Peperomia. Most are herbaceous perennials in USDA zones 10 to 12. Therefore, it’s usually best as an indoor plant in the majority of U.S. growing zones (including where I’m at). It’s easy to grow and very adaptable, making it great for beginners—so let’s talk about it!

Light

These plants are generally best grown indoors with bright, indirect light. They are tropical plants that are accustomed to growing underneath lots of foliage, so they do not depend on direct sunlight to survive. Inadequate light will cause the leaves to lose their watermelon-like variegation.

I have experimented with a number of spots for my plant, ultimately deciding that the best place for it is in an east- or south-facing window. Make sure to monitor for signs it is getting too much sun, though—excessive sunlight can cause the dark green veins on the leaves to fade and scorch the foliage.

I’ve added sheer curtains to super bright windows. You could also just move the plant about a foot father from the window to dull the light a bit. If you’re moving your peperomia outdoors for the summer, make sure it stays in a shaded spot.

Water

Watermelon peperomia doesn’t need a ton of water, which is why overwatering is the number one problem you might face. You should wait until the top few inches of soil dry out before watering the plant thoroughly. This means about once a week, depending on your growing conditions.

You can use a moisture meter or your finger to check the soil moisture. But your plant will give signs if it needs more or less watering. If the leaves start to feel thin or their colors look less vibrant, it’s a sign you need to water more often. The leaves can also be somewhat heavy on the ends of the thin stems, leading to the plant to droop when it needs water.

However, drooping can also be a sign of overwatering. If the stems and leaves start to droop or wilt and the pot feels heavy, you might be watering it too much. You should always water less during their semi-dormant season in winter.

Soil

Soil also plays an important role in moisture regulation, so let’s talk about that next. Like its cousin the Peperomia Polybotrya, this plant does well in a well-draining potting soil. You can buy pretty much any soil labeled “indoor potting soil” in a store. You can also work coco coir or fine moss, perlite, or sand into a heavier soil to lighten it up.

I keep a bag of perlite on hand for this exact reason! Heavy soils will prevent your plant from draining away excess water, leading to waterlogged soil preventing oxygen from getting to your plant’s roots. A well-draining mix allows you to deeply soak the plant and let all of the water it doesn’t need flow freely from the pot’s drainage holes.

Temperature

The watermelon peperomia’s ideal temperature range is also something that makes them a great indoor plant. They do best in room temperature; anywhere from 65 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember, they are tropical plants, so they do not tolerate the cold. Anything below 50 degrees can kill them.

Humidity

Peperomia plants in general appreciate extra humidity, but they also grow just fine in average indoor humidity. You can add a humidifier to your space to help keep ambient moisture levels higher. Misting is fine, too—just know that it only very temporarily increases the moisture levels in the air around the plant.

Repotting

Peperomia watermelon stays relatively small and compact, so it does not need to be repotted very often. In fact, you might be able to keep it in the same pot for several years. I have peperomia plants that I have never repotted, and I don’t even remember how many years I’ve had them for!

I recommend check the plant’s roots before repotting. If they are circling the inside of the pot many times or growing out of the drainage holes, it’s time to size the pot up an inch or so. Use fresh soil when repotting, and aim to do so in the spring or summer to ease any shock to the plant.

Staking

If your plant is floppy but seems otherwise healthy, you might just need to stake it. Watermelon peperomia plants can develop some pretty impressively sized leaves. The size of their leaves can weigh down the stems a bit, too. Simply use a small stake and some vinyl plant tape to help prop your plant up as I’ve done with mine here.

Propagation

Watermelon peperomia propagation is easy. You can either grow a new plant from a stem cutting—or even with just a leaf! Let’s talk soil propagation first because it is generally the best way to grow strong roots right out of the gate. To propagate leaf cuttings in soil, cut a healthy leaf off.

Then, cut the leaf in half perpendicular to its markings. Roots grow from the veins of leaves, so make sure the vein is buried in soil. You can also dip the vein in rooting hormone to speed up the process. I like using rooting hormone for propagations in general, too.

Since it has no roots yet, it’ll need lots of humidity to survive. The best way of doing this is putting a plastic bag over the top until roots grow. When picking a pot, go for a container that looks slightly too small; they don’t like too much room, and it could lead to complications with drainage.

Below is a peperomia propagating using this process. The large cut leaf is the original cutting, while the cluster of smaller leaves sprouting is the new plant emerging from the developing root system.

Although rooting in soil generally leads to the strongest root systems, I also love rooting plants in water. It’s just so easy, and if you put the cuttings in a clear jar, you can watch the whole process. For what it’s worth, I’ve always had a great experience propagating peperomia cuttings in water.

The water roots transition very well to soil, which you can’t say for every plant. And the coolest part about peperomias is that you can literally watch a tiny new plant form on the cutting (see below)! Just put a stem cutting in a jar of water and wait. Once you have a new plant sprouting and some roots, pot up on some well-draining soil.

Toxicity

Peperomia plants are not toxic to pets or kids. However, they are not meant to be ingested, so it’s always a best practice to try to keep your pets and kids away from houseplants. My Blanche isn’t interested in plants, but my Henry is very interested in leafy plants. I keep tempting ones in hanging planters, up on shelves out of reach, or in my Ikea greenhouse cabinet.

Wrapping up…

Peperomia argyreia makes a great addition to your plant collection if you’re looking for something with a largely fuss-free care routine. And it’s compact size makes it a good choice for a desktop or other small space. Questions about its care? Drop them below! Happy planting.

Pin my tips!