Peperomia plants make ideal indoor plants, especially for novice growers. The peperomia angulata species is adaptable and beautifully enticing with intricately patterned leaves.
Plus, it’s the hardiest peperomia of the species and can take a little bit of neglect. This perennial, evergreen is perfect for almost anywhere in your home.
Here’s our grower’s guide on how to grow, care and propagate plenty of peperomia angulata plants.
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How to Identify Peperomia Angulata
There are a vast number of peperomia species, so it’s not always easy to know which peperomia plant you’re actually growing.
The peperomias are native to tropical parts of South America and many sub-species are known epiphytes, meaning they usually grow on the branches of other trees within the rainforest.
Source: Plantophiles.com
In its natural habitat, the peperomia beetle grows as an almost ground-cover reaching and spreading over moss covered areas.
However, as an indoor plant the peperomia angulata has more ornamental applications and is loved for its wiry, flexible stems – making it ideal for hanging baskets.
The angulata is best identified by its smallish ovate leaves, colored in a deep green with faint yellow veins. Occasionally, you may find your angulata producing spikey, rat-tail like flowers. However, these are largely infrequent and non-fragrant.
Other common names for the peperomia angulata include:
- Beetle Peperomia
- Peperomia Quadrangularis
How to Grow Peperomia Angulata
Source: Flyingarchitecture.com
Angulata plants are easily grown and once established take very little care to maintain. The key factors for a happy and healthy plant will be the level of light and that your soil is draining adequately.
The peperomia angulata is considered a slow-growing plant, so you won’t need much space for it. Still, choosing the right spot is vital.
Sun
As with most peperomias, the angulata species thrives in indirect, filtered light. As it naturally grows in shady, tropical areas, over-exposure to the sun, especially in the summertime, will quickly cause your angulata to wilt.
Consider a semi-shaded spot near an east or west facing window.
Soil
Free-draining soil is vital for the peperomia angulata as its sensitive root system requires quite a bit of breathability. Perlite potting soil mixes are preferred, with equal parts peat moss and tree bark.
The most important factor is that the soil drains but remains nutrient dense.
Humidity
How to Propagate Peperomia Angulata
As we’ve said, propagation is fairly simple and straightforward, which means you can have plenty of angulata plants all around your home. Propagation can be done via stem cutting, leaf cutting or even plant division.
Wait until June to propagate as it will coincide with the growing season in the tropics.
Source: Flyingarchitecture.com
Propagation from Stem Cutting
Stem cuttings are very effective. Be sure to use a stem from a healthy angulata plant. Here’s how:
- Using a sterile blade or grafting knife, remove a stem cutting with one or two leaves, about 4 inches in length. Ensure your cutting is made directly underneath the node.
- Allow the area of cutting to dry and callous slightly.
- Place the cutting into water to root.
- Once you have a good amount of fibrous root growth, remove your cutting from the water and plant into a potting mix.
- In the beginning, keep the soil quite moist to allow the roots to adapt to the new environment.
Propagation from Leaf Cutting
Propagation from leaf is equally as effective, and you can remove more than one leaf at a time to secure success. Here’s how:
- Using a sharp, sterilized blade to remove a few strong, healthy leaves from an established angulata plant. The leaf must have about an inch of stalk or petiole.
- Allow the tip of the stalk to dry out and then dip into rooting hormone for about 30 seconds.
- Plant the leaves stem down into a mix of succulent soil, peat moss and perlite mix. Ensure leaves are kept at least 4-inches apart from each other.
- Keep your leaves in a breeze-free and well-lit area to root. Keep the soil moist but not wet to avoid rot.
- New plants will start growing from the leaf base. Once established, re-plant into a potting medium to grow.
Tips for Peperomia Angulata Care
While you can forget about your angulata plants from time to time and they’ll still be perfectly fine, you will want to ensure the occasional watering, fertilizing and pruning for optimum health.
Watering
The angulata is considered a semi-succulent, so it doesn’t require much watering. In nature it only receives some infrequent rain, so occasional watering in the summer months will suffice.
You can almost cut back completely in winter. Consider storing rain water to use for watering. Peperomia plants store a lot of water in their leaves.
Should you notice your leaves beginning to thin, it may be a sign of over-watering.
Fertilization
Especially in the growing seasons, spring through summer, angulata plants love a good dose of fertilizer. You can fertilize as often as twice a month.
Be sure to use a balanced, 10-10-10 water soluble fertilizer. Cut back on feeding in winter.
Pruning
Pruning is important to maintain plant shape and curb the spread of pests. Plus, a good cut-back will help keep your angulata nice and bushy in appearance.
Be sure to use a sterilized blade and cut back a few inches at a time. Regular re-potting is unnecessary and as the angulata has quite sensitive roots, it can do more harm than good.
Unless your angulata is overgrown, only re-pot every 3 to 4 years.
Here's our list of the best pruning shears on the market.
Pests, Diseases & Problems
Peperomia are pretty much problem free and won’t come with many issues. Problems generally only arise when they are being over-watered or when soil is particularly water-logged.
Root rot is the main issue you may encounter, so always be sure to regulate your watering and allow the top layer of soil to properly dry out in between.
In overly dry conditions, you may get red spider mites. Occasionally misting your angulata with neem oil is an effective way to keep any bugs or pests at bay.Why Are My Angulata Leaves Looking Scorched?
Scorched leaves are a clear sign that your peperomia angulata is receiving far too much direct sunlight. Be sure to take action and move your angulata into a more shaded area.
Why Is My Peperomia Limp and Wilting?
Wilting is usually an indication of over-watering or root rot. Should your roots be rotting the best action plan is to take cutting and grow fresh plants so they can develop healthier roots.
Why Does My Peperomia Angulata Seem to Be Stunted?
While peperomia angulata plants are largely slow growing, small or stunted growth can be due to your plant not getting enough light. If you fear your angulata growth may be stunted, simply move it somewhere where it will get more indirect light.
Peperomia Angulata Applications in Your Home
This fabulous flora can work really anywhere in your home, as long as it’s not sitting in a dark corner.
It’s long stems make it absolutely ideal for hanging baskets or taller standing pots. More so, they look rather fantastic on high-up shelves or even on the mantle of a fireplace.
More so, this quirky cultivar is also fantastic in earthen planters near windows.
For more on Peperomia, check out growing guide list below:
Wrapping Up Our Peperomia Angulata Guide
Wherever, you decide to plant your peperomia angulata, you’ll have absolute peace of mind with this fuss-free plant. As long as you’re regulating your watering and ensuring enough indirect light, you really won’t need to worry much.
Once you have a happy and established plant, you can start propagating plenty of little plant babies. The peperomia angulata really is perfect for anywhere you want it.
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