Peperomia clusiifolia is a gorgeous, colorful houseplant that needs only basic care. This tropical plant is native to south Florida, Mexico, and Central America and it comes in a variety of colors.
Also known as Peperomia clusiifolia jelly, Peperomia clusiifolia red margin, and Peperomia clusiifolia red edge, it has jelly-like leaves with various shades of green. It also has dramatic pink or red coloring along its edges, and only grows 6 to 12 inches tall—even if it lives for decades.
Light Requirements
Peperomia clusiifolia shows its most vibrant colors when it receives sufficient light. While it will survive in shady conditions, it prefers indirect bright to moderate light. Never place it directly in the sun, as its delicate leaves will scorch.
Peperomia clusiifolia is good for offices or basements where the only light source is fluorescent bulbs. Make sure it gets direct fluorescent light exposure for 12 to 15 hours each day.
Water Requirements
As with all succulents and semi-succulents, Peperomia clusiifolia stores water in its leaves. Because of this feature, overwatering can quickly cause it to rot. Allow the soil to almost completely dry between waterings.
You don’t need to mist Peperomia clusiifolia unless you live in a dry climate. If its leaves look dusty, gently wipe them with a damp cloth.
Soil and Fertilizer Requirements
All Peperomia clusiifolia need soil that is light and airy. You can use cactus soil, or a 50/50 mixture of potting soil and sand. Add coconut coir for extra airflow around the roots. It also needs a soil rich with nutrients, so fortify it with a little peat compost.
Fertilize Peperomia clusiifolia once a month with a liquid fertilizer that has “8-8-8” or “10-10-10” on the label. Dilute it by half and apply it sparingly only during the spring and summer.
Temperature and Humidity Levels
Normal room temperature (around 68 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 degrees Celsius) is perfect for your Peperomia clusiifolia. As a tropical plant, it can withstand warmer temperatures better than cooler ones.
Average room humidity is also fine for Peperomia clusiifolia. But if you notice the plant looking dry or pale, place it on a pebble water tray to add moisture to the surrounding air.
Potting, Repotting, and Pruning
A natural terra cotta pot is an ideal container for a Peperomia clusiifolia as it helps water evaporate, keeping the root ball comfortably dry. Keep the pot size small, because bigger pots with more soil retain more moisture—something Peperomia clusiifolia cannot handle.
Because it’s a slow grower and enjoys being somewhat root bound, repotting your clusiifolia is something that you only have to do every two or three years.
Peperomia clusiifolia care doesn’t require much pruning to retain its shape. But you should always remove weak, dead, and damaged leaves as soon as possible.
Propagating Peperomia Clusiifolia
Division and cutting methods are both effective methods if you’re wondering how to propagate Peperomia clusiifolia. The division method is simple: divide the root ball into two parts and replant each half in a different container. Use the same potting soil mixture described above.
Cutting is a common method of Peperomia clusiifolia propagation. Cut a stem about 4 inches long that has a healthy leaf or two. You can put your cuttings in water or soil. If you place it in water, watch for new root growth in a few weeks then transfer it to a pot filled with the appropriate soil.
You can also dip the freshly cut stems into rooting hormone and place them directly into moist, nutrient-rich soil. They should establish new root growth within 4 to 6 weeks.
Types of Peperomia Clusiifolia
There are over 1,000 species in the Peperomia genus. Peperomia clusiifolia has several sub-types with different features, including:
- Peperomia clusiifolia emerald has dark green leaves with faint red margins.
- Peperomia clusiifolia Ginny has leaves in mottled shades of green and white with bright pink edges.
- Peperomia clusiifolia Isabella has round, pale green leaves on long, vining stems.
- Peperomia clusiifolia rainbow can have a mixture of creamy white, light yellow, bright green, dark green, pink, and red all one leaf.
- Peperomia clusiifolia variegata has thick, fleshy leaves in variegated shades of green and white.
Peperomia Varieties
Peperomia Orba
Peperomia Ruby Cascade
Peperomia Hope
Peperomia ferreyrae
Peperomia Ginny
Peperomia Graveolens
Peperomia Rosso
Peperomia Watermelon
Peperomia Caperata
Peperomia Obtusifolia
Peperomia Clusiifolia FAQs
Peperomia clusiifolia and all its relatives in the Piperaceae family are excellent houseplants. They have a variety of colorful foliage options, grow well in a wide range of conditions, and are a great size for an indoor garden.
No, Peperomia clusiifolia is a relatively slow grower. Feeding it with fertilizer during spring and summer can help it grow a little faster, but don’t expect it to outpace your other houseplants.
Does Peperomia clusiifolia flower?
It’s unusual for any indoor Peperomia plant to flower, and when they do, it’s nothing spectacular. Peperomia clusiifolia jelly can produce spike-shaped flowers in the spring. They are white, yellow, or brown, depending on the type.
As Peperomia clusiifolia grows taller, sometimes it begins drooping over. Usually this is because its leaves and stems are somewhat heavy. To keep plant parts from breaking under their weight, poke a stick or piece of bamboo deeply into the soil beside the plant to provide support.
