Peperomia Green Bean Care Guide for Beginners

By: Matt Slaymaker
January 9, 2023
Peperomia Green Bean Care Guide for Beginners
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This Peperomia Green Bean care guide will prepare you for bringing this new plant into your home or office! Native to South American rainforests, the Peperomia Green Bean, formally known as the Peperomia Ferreyrae, is an attractive perennial succulent indoor plant with long, bean-like lime green leaves. This epiphytic plant is commonly referred to as happy bean or pincushion peperomia. Enthusiasts of the plant love it for its whorled kind of pea-pod green leaves that fit in cramped spaces and purify the air. The plant thrives in a range of light conditions, making it suitable for poorly lit indoor areas.

 

 

Peperomia

 

 

Peperomia Ferreyrae Overview

The Peperomia Green Bean is part of the family Piperaceae. This plant is native to tropical and subtropical climates. They are also a form of a green bean succulent so the Peperomia Ferreyrae will retain water as it needs. That makes this plant a great option for beginner gardeners as it doesn’t require a lot of water, can withstand low sunlight and is generally easy to care for. Follow the rest of this guide for more of how to properly care for this beautiful home addition.

 

Water 

Watering is the most challenging part of peperomia care. Underwatering results in the plant wilting, and the contrary can cause root rot. Based on our experience, we recommend watering the plant every 7-10 days. Adjust the watering accordingly throughout the seasons, and take note of whether your plant is situated under a heating or cooling vent, as that can impact moisture levels. Additionally, make sure the planting medium is dry before watering. When watering, thoroughly water the potting mix, then allow it to drain.

 

Lighting and Humidity

Although Peperomia Green Bean can survive in low light conditions, it does better in bright, filtered light environments. Avoid direct sunlight. Extremely low light conditions can result in delayed growth.

 

Peperomia Ferreyrae Humidity Needs

The plant does well in normal humidity environments. During the winter, when the air is dry, try to artificially raise the humidity by misting the plant or grouping it with other plants. Keep the plant in temperature ranging between 65-75°F; ensure temperatures do not fall below 50°F.

 

Soil and Fertilizer

Use well-drained soils with moderate water retention capacity. For optimal growth, create a potting mix using 50% peat moss and 50% perlite. You can cover the soil mix with worm compost soil. During the summer, apply a balanced liquid plant food every third time you water. This will ensure your plant achieves a maximum growth rate. During other seasons, apply the solution once in a month.

 

Cleaning and Pruning

Sometimes the peperomia green bean can get scraggly and out of hand. Growers can quickly bring it back to shape by cleaning and pruning. Clean using a damp towel or take it out in the rain. Alternatively, take it to the shower and allow water to run over the plant. When the plant gets bushy, prune it using a pair of clean, sharp scissors. You can actually even turn those pruned pieces of plant into propagations – keep reading to learn more!

 

Peperomia Propagation

Peperomia Green Beans are propagated from leaf cuttings. The process involves cutting mature leaves with a small stem of about an inch. Keep the cuttings for a day or two to allow the wound to heal before it is placed in the propagation medium. You can directly germinate the Peperomia propagation cuttings in a potting mix, or you can put them in water and wait for roots to grow before transferring them to a pot. During Peperomia propagation, try to keep temperatures above 68F.

 

Repotting a Peperomia Green Bean Succulent

Repot Peperomia Green Bean to a pot one size up when the plant has outgrown its current pot. Its roots are tiny; thus, they may not require frequent repotting. However, it is advisable to renew the soil once every two years. To repot, prepare the potting mix as described above, transplant the plant to the new pot, and water it thoroughly. Allow water to drain and return it to its place. It is suitable to do repotting during summer when the growth rate is high. You can also wait 24 hours before watering – experts advise to do either way!

 

Peperomia Care Final Thoughts

The Peperomia Green Bean is not a problematic plant; however, its lovers must observe watering frequencies to minimize risk of root rot. They should also ensure the plant is not exposed to extreme cold conditions. The plant can be attacked by mealybugs – always watch out for cottony white masses on the undersides of leaves and stems. You can treat pests with neem oil, should that become a problem. The Peperomia Green Bean is not toxic to humans and pets; though, its leaves should not be confused with green beans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Peperomia Green Bean need sunlight?

Yes! While the Peperomia Green Bean does not like to be in full, direct sunlight, it prefers to live in places of medium to bright, indirect light. Although the plant can tolerate low light areas which is why this is such a good beginner plant for its low maintenance needs.

Do Peperomia Green Bean succulents like to be misted?

While the Peperomia Green Bean is a variety of succulent, they prefer high humidity environments versus dry deserts. Their leaves are designed to hold water but misting helps to add moisture to the air around the plant allowing it to thrive.

Are Peperomia plants easy to care for?

Yes! Their easy nature makes the Peperomia Green Bean a great starter plant for beginner gardeners.