There are many varieties of Peperomia radiator plants. The difference is in the shape, size, and shine of the leaves. It is a favorite plant for interior decorations. To make your home extra beautiful, place it in your living space.
Peperomia radiators are adaptable plants. This means they are easy to grow and can be grown in any type of indoor environment.
If you like plant foliage more than flowers then this plant is for you. In some parts of America, it is famous as the Baby rubber plant.
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About the Plant
Every gardener should learn about the plant that he or she is going to buy. This is the first rule of gardening. There are many factors that directly affect plant growth.
You need to learn about them and after that, you can decide whether a plant is suitable for your house or not.
Radiator plants are of many types some are trailing type that grows up to 3 to 5 feet in height.
Others are small radiator plants that only grow up to 12 inches.
It does not matter which type of Peperomia Fosteri you choose, the caring steps are the same for all types.
Light Needs
Peperomia Fosteri grows happily in bright indirect light. You should not expose it to direct sunlight.
Because direct sunlight can damage the plants. The hot sun rays go deep into the plant leaves and turn them brown.
If the bright light is not possible you can install a LED grow light.
These lights are specially designed for growing plants at home in the absence of sunlight. The lights that greenhouses use to grow plants also grow lights.
But they are costly and high-power lights. You do not need to buy that type of grow light. LED grow lights are best for indoor gardening.
These artificial lights are good for plants because they cannot differentiate between sunlight and artificial grow light.
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Potting Soil
The best mix will be fast-draining soil that does not retain water for a long time. There are many brands that make such types of potting mixes.
The top two ingredients will be peat and perlite. Add 40% of peat and 40% perlite + 20% coarse sand. Peat is lightweight and perlite holds are required amount of moisture for a long time.
And you need to water less frequently when there is perlite in the plant pot. The benefit of Coarse sand is it increases the aeration properties of a potting mix.
If you cannot take the headache of making soil mix at home. Then you can go for an Orchid potting mix. This soil works like a miracle for the radiator plant.
Watering Peperomia Fosteri
To water Peperomia Fosteri perfectly you need to check the soil. There is no perfect watering time for the plant.
The dryness level of the potting soil will tell you when it needs water.
Generally, I allow the top 2 inches of the soil to dry. Then I grab the watering can and pour it to the base of the plant.
Once I see the water coming out through the bottom hole, I cut off the water. Allow it to drain all extra amounts of water.
This process will take only 20 minutes to complete.
Overwatering is the main cause of root rot. To prevent it always check the soil condition before watering.
Fertilizing
A balanced fertilizer with equal parts of NPK is good for a healthy Peperomia Fosteri. Fertilize only once a month in the active growing season of the plant.
The active season is spring and summer season.
Stop fertilizing in the winter season, it is the dormancy that means the resting time of the plants. They stop growing so they do not need many nutrients.
Overuse of nutrient supplements harms the plant in many ways. If you see white salts on the top surface of the plant pot.
Then you need to flush the soil with tap water or with filtered warm water.
Then let the soil dry a little bit and put it back in the plant pot and follow the regular care routine.
Temperature & Humidity
60 to 85 degrees F is the ideal temperature range for the Peperomia Fosteri. As long as humidity is concerned some varieties of peperomia like high humidity.
While others are happy with general home humidity.
You need to figure it out with your radiator Peperomia Fosteri. Generally, it needs high humidity but in this case, we observed that it doesn’t mind the average range of moisture in the air.
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Repotting
Fosteri Peperomia is a plant that likes to live in root-bound conditions. This means you do not need to repot it frequently.
Repot it only when you see the plant roots are visible over the top surface of the potting soil.
1 size large pot will do best. Do not go for extra-large pots because they can only damage the plant. I repotted my Fosteri Peperomia in terra cotta pots.
Propagation of Peperomia Fosteri
Stem-cutting and leaf-cutting are the two methods of radiator plant propagation. Choose a healthy stem and cut it from the plant. Remove all the leaves except one or two at the top.
Then gently plant it in the potting mix and give some water.
For the propagation, you need to keep the stem cutting in a highly humid location. Increasing the humidity creates the greenhouse effect.
To do so cover the plant with a plastic cover and place it in a warm location.
Within a few days, your stem cutting will grow roots, and once you see that your plant is established in the pot. You can transfer it to the new pot.
Causes of Radiator plant leaves turning yellow
Yellow leaves mean your plant is facing problems with light, water, or room temperature.
In 90 % of the cases, overwatering is the main issue. Look for that and change the soil. Do not place it in extremely bright light in order to dry the soil.
This will kill the plant in a few seconds because it cannot tolerate direct sunlight for a long time.
Peperomia Fosteri curling leaves
Some varieties of Fosteri naturally have curled leaves. Whereas others have straight leaves. If your plant has curled leaves then you need to look for bug infestation.
Use rubbing alcohol to wipe the leaves and this will kill all the bugs at once.
Then spray neem oil on the entire plant and it will heal in less time.
Neem oil is safe for plants you should spray it once in 30 days on all your plants.
Conclusion
Peperomia Fosteri needs less care and maintenance. Repotting is also not an issue with this plant. It also needs fewer fertilizers. If you use pre-fertilized soil then no need to fertilize it for its entire life.
Just give it water when it is required and it will never face any problems.
