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Peperomia Obtusifolia Variegata (Variegated Baby Rubber Plant) features unique light-green foliage with creamy white edges. It enjoys bright, filtered sunlight, moderate watering, and high humidity.
Prune this beautiful Baby Rubber Plant to maintain its bushy shape and avoid overwatering it to prevent root rot!
Peperomia obtusifolia 'Variegata' Care Guide
Enjoys medium to bright indirect light.
Be sure to water when you receive them. Allow soil to dry between watering.
Enjoys some extra humidity. Spritz occasionally.
Keep this plant in rooms where the temperature is a comfortable 60°F-75°F and avoid cold drafts or air vents below 55°F. They thrive in warmer and humid temperatures with plenty of humidity.
Outside: Keep in full shade on a patio out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn where nights are above 55°F.
This plant has a small root system so too much fertilizer will burn the plant. You can fertilize three times a year in the spring, summer and fall. Apply at half-strength a balanced, liquid fertilizer especially formulated for indoor plants during the growing season and let them rest in the winter.
When receiving the Baby Rubber Plant, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months or if the roots are beginning to get crowded and growing through the drainage holes.
Repot in the spring, using a 2 inches bigger pot to keep the roots drier. (Too big of a planter could cause the soil to dry slower.)
Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow to drain. Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite to help with drainage.
Water your plant in the old pot before transferring over and let sit an hour.
Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen.
Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling.
Ensure the plant is sitting about 1 inch below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over.
Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more soil.
Water well to dampen the soil and let drain.
When watering your Rubber Tree plant, it is an excellent time to trim off any browning, yellowing, or discolored leaves. When pruning, use clean, sharp pruners. Cut above a node or where the leaves emerge on the side of the stem. Branching will occur and encourage a bushier and fuller plant. Use these cuttings to propagate. Remove any debris from the soil and replenish if needed.
To clean debris and dust off the leaves:
Place the Rubber Tree plant in a shower or tub.
Fill a watering can with a shower spout with filtered, bottled, or water free of chlorine and fluoride.
Shower the leaves, so each one is clear of dust and dirt.
Let the water drain and replace your plant in the decorative container.
To propagate this plant during the growing season:
Take a 4-6 inch stem cutting in the early spring.
Use a knife or sharp pruners, cut below a node where there are at least three leaves.
Remove the bottom leaves to expose the node.
Place the stem in a glass jar and fill them with filtered water and watch the roots grow! Replace and freshen the water each week.
After the roots are six weeks old, add the cuttings to moistened potting soil, continue to water, and give it the bright, indirect lighting requirements.
To propagate this plant by division during the growing season:
Water your plant the night before dividing.
Inspect your plant for overcrowding. If they are root-bound in the pot, loosen the dirt around the root clump and brush away the soil.
Begin to tease and pull apart the mass of roots.
Divide each clump into their pot, measuring 2 inches wider than the root mass and deep enough for their roots to grow.
Plant in well-draining potting mix amended with rooting hormone. Adding a rooting hormone during planting will help diminish the symptoms of transplant shock.
Place the plant at the same level as the previous pot adding soil at the bottom. Water the soil and add more if settling occurs. Set them in medium, indirect sunlight.
Check the moisture and humidity each day and add misting to keep the soil moist while the roots establish. After 6-8 weeks, roots will begin to develop. You can tug onto the stem to ensure the roots are anchoring well.
Keep the air humid around them with a pebble tray and misting.
Some die off of stems may occur from transplant shock. If this happens, cut the branches away and continue to hydrate, and keep the humidity level at a medium level while they recover. Adding a rooting hormone during planting will help diminish the symptoms of transplant shock.
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Baby Rubber Plant (Variegated): Overview
The Variegated Baby Rubber Plant, known botanically as Peperomia obtusifolia 'Variegata', is a stunning indoor plant with thick, glossy, green leaves accented by creamy white margins. This compact and bushy plant, often called the American Rubber Plant or Pepper Face Plant, belongs to the Piperaceae family and originates from the tropical regions of Central and South America. The Variegated Baby Rubber Plant thrives in bright, indirect light but tolerates low-light conditions. It does well outdoors in USDA zones 10-12 and is easy to care for, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced indoor gardeners.
Symbolically, Peperomia plants represent friendship, renewal, and personal growth; hence, they are a popular plant gift. Additionally, the Baby Rubber plants are pet-friendly and non-toxic, making them safe for households with pets.
For those interested in expanding their Peperomia collection, consider the non-variegated Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) and other varieties, such as the Peperomia Watermelon and Peperomia Ginny, available here on Lively Root.
Baby Rubber Plant: Benefits
- It removes toxins from indoor air
- Small plant, perfect for compact spaces
- Pet-friendly and safe for homes with animals
- Aesthetic appeal with lush, variegated foliage
- Drought-tolerant and easy to care for, ideal for beginners
Variegated Peperomia Obtusofilia: Care Guide
The Variegated Peperomia Obtusifolia is a low-maintenance and resilient houseplant, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. Here are a few helpful Baby Rubber Plant care tips to consider:
Watering and Soil
Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry. It’s important not to overwater, as Peperomia roots are prone to rot in soggy conditions. Use a well-draining soil mix, ideally a combination of peat and perlite, to ensure the plant’s roots stay healthy.
Light and Temperature
Place this tropical plant in bright, indirect light to maintain its vibrant variegation. Peperomia thrives in bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate low light, the colors may fade slightly. Keep the plant in a warm environment, ideally between 65-75°F (18-24°C), and avoid cold drafts.
Humidity and Feeding
Peperomia Obtusifolia prefers moderate humidity but can adapt to lower levels. Feed the plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) to maintain optimal growth.
Repotting and Propagation
Repot your variegated Peperomia every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its pot. Peperomia propagation is easy through stem cuttings; simply place a cutting in water or directly in moist soil and watch it root. For best results, make sure your young plant receives bright, indirect sunlight.
Pruning and Common Issues
Prune the plant to maintain its shape and remove any yellowing or dead leaves. Watch out for common issues like root rot, which is often caused by overwatering. If leaves are dropping or curling, it may be a sign of too little or too much light.
Baby Rubber Plant for Sale: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
The Baby Rubber Plant, with its compact size and easy-care nature, is versatile enough to thrive in various indoor settings. Pair it with other low-maintenance houseplants for a harmonious display, or consider alternative options if you’re looking for different aesthetic or pet-friendly choices.
Best Locations & Uses
- Ideal for shelves or desks, due to its compact size.
- A great office plant that adds greenery without needing much care.
- Perfect as a porch plant in warmer climates, enjoying bright, indirect light.
- Suitable for novice plant enthusiasts, due to its low-maintenance needs.
- Ideal for homes with pets, as it’s a non-toxic, pet-friendly plant.
Companion Plants
Here are three great companion plants to pair with your Variegated Baby Rubber Plant:
- Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): The Jade Plant is a low-maintenance succulent that complements the Baby Rubber Plant with its thick, fleshy leaves.
- Variegated Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’): The Variegated Snake Plant is a hardy, upright plant that contrasts nicely with the Baby Rubber Plant’s bushy growth and shares similar easy-care needs.
- Variegated Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): The Variegated Spider Plant is a pet-friendly, air-purifying plant that adds variety to your indoor garden with its arching leaves and easy-going nature.
Alternative Plants
If you’re looking for other pet-friendly and easy-care options, here are three alternatives available on Lively Root:
- Peperomia Lemon Lime (Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Lemon Lime’): Peperomia Lemon Lime is a vibrant plant that features striking lime green and yellow variegation, perfect for brightening up any room.
- Peperomia Santorini (Peperomia ‘Santorini’): Peperomia Santorini with its unique foliage and compact size, this plant is a great choice for small spaces and low-light conditions.
- Peperomia Frost (Peperomia caperata ‘Frost’): Peperomia Frost forms a mound of leaves protruding out with slim, vertical petioles making a perfect contrast to the Baby Rubber Plant.
Order Your Variegated Peperomia Obtusofilia From Lively Root Today
Order your variegated Peperomia Obtusifolia from Lively Root today and add a touch of elegance to your indoor garden!