If you are looking for a small size beautiful evergreen succulent. Then Peperomia nivalis plant is the best choice. This glossy plant produces fleshy stems and leaves that look very pretty.
Whereas other succulents need direct light to grow. Your Peperomia nivalis is good with low bright indirect light. Just put the pot in any medium-bright corner of the house and it will thrive. The best part is it also needs less water as compared to other popular succulent plants.
This clearly means freedom from frequent watering.
To grow this plant successfully follow my Peperomia nivalis caring steps.
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About the plant
Peperomia nivalis is native to Peru. This is a short plant it only grows up to 15 cm tall and spread 8 inches. This means you can grow it in any part of your living space. Because sometimes we have small size rooms and needs short plants for them.
In the initial growing stage, the plant produces green fleshy leaves. After some months when the plant gets matured. These beautiful leaves develop white and green variegation.
Because it is a slow-growing plant and only grows up to a few inches. You do not need to repot it frequently. Other growing and caring needs are discussed below.
Peperomia nivalis plant care
Light Needs
The good news is unlike other succulents this plant does not need direct light. Low bright indirect light is sufficient for it to carry out photosynthesis.
If you do not have a strong bright indirect light source at home but like succulents. Then you will definitely love this plant. It can grow under normal bright ceiling light. My plant is healthy under the normal lights of my house (normal ceiling lights).
For glossy leaves, I expose my plant to morning sunlight and sometimes evening sunshine. Remember that morning sunlight is beneficial for all types of plants. This helps plants to make their immune system strong. And strong plant immunity is a must for healthy attractive foliage.
Sunshine also prevents many root fungus and leaf mold diseases. You just need to protect it from afternoon high intense sunlight.
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Potting Soil
This Peperomia variety needs less water. So, you need soil that quickly drains every single drop of extra water.
To make your plant potting soil at home. Mix 2 parts of peat moss + 1 part of perlite or sand. This formula stores water but in less quantity. This keeps the plant roots healthy and strong.
I use commercial cactus and succulent potting mix. Because I have to give my time to my every plant. It is also easy to just order the soil online, use it in pots, and start growing plants. Not no need to take the headaches of measuring the soil and testing the pH.
In homemade potting soils pH and quality of the product is the main issue.
Watering Peperomia nivalis
Succulents need a low amount of water. Their roots easily get infected by root rot in wet or over-moisturized soil.
But in the case of the Nivalis plant, you need to keep the soil moist. The golden rule is maintaining the balance between overwatering and underwatering.
This is only possible if you know how to check the soil moisture before watering. Poke your finger in the soil. If there is enough moisture do not water and if the top 2 inches are dry then immediately water your plants.
Keeping the soil well moist and avoiding overwatering the soil plays a very important role. Use specially made succulent soil for growing nivalis peperomia.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing is the part that is different for different plants. Some peperomia need moderate fertilizing but this plant needs light fertilizing.
Because it is slow growing plant and it only grows few inches tall. It only needs a little bit of nutrient boost in its active growing season. Spring and summer are the two seasons of fertilizing succulent plants.
For best results use 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer. You can also use it for your other plants and you do not have to buy different nutrients for them.
Before using fertilizer read the instructions of the bottle and dilute the liquid nutrients. For dilution use clean filtered water that does not contain heavy minerals. I use bottled water when I need to dilute the nutrient solution.
Temperature & Humidity
The normal home temperature range is good for growing the Nivalis plant. 65 to 85 degrees F is the best temperature range. You only need to protect it from temperature fluctuation. Sudden cold or hot air disturbs the growing cycle of the Nivalis plant.
Naturally, this plant is a high humidity-loving plant. But when it grows indoors the plant feels happy in normal home humidity.
If you are living in a desert area and your home humidity is low. Then you need to adapt the pebble tray method to increase it. In some cases, you may need to use a room humidifier. You also have some affordable options like plant humidifiers. These devices are way cheaper than room humidifiers.
Repotting
You do not need to repot it often like other succulents. For excellent results use terra cotta pots. They are specially designed for plants that do not like to live in wet soil. They have tiny pores that help quickly drain excess water.
Also, these pores increase the air circulation that is necessary for healthy disease-free roots.
When you feel that roots are compacted and your plant is suffocating then you need to repot it. For that use 2 inches large pot than the existing pot.
Spring is the best time for repotting succulents. You should also change the potting soil when you repot the plant.
The new soil will put new life in the plant.
Propagation
Cut the healthy stem for the plant, dip it in the rooting hormone, and plant it in the moist potting soil. The cutting has to be healthy and free of diseases.
Remove excess leaves from it and leave only 1 or 2 leaves.
Then put the plant pot in a warm and humid place. Humidity is required to help stem cutting produce new roots. This also speeds up the rooting process.
Within few days you will see the new growth on the stem cutting. This means your cutting has developed new roots and it is time to transfer it to the new pot.
This is all about the peperomia Nivalis care and propagation. For more information on peperomia plants check our houseplant section.
Conclusion
To grow this plant, you need to be careful about watering the plant. Also, protect it from high bright light and direct sunlight. Low light conditions are good to grow it healthy.
General home temperature and humidity are good for the plant. With this plant, you do not need to spend much on fertilizers.
Must use terracotta pots to protect from accidental overwatering. Place it wherever you want because it is a short plant.
