Let us talk about the Peperomia Pixie. When it comes to choosing the right kind of indoor plants, it’s essential to make sure they’ll be able to cope with the conditions.
This is why many home growers choose Peperomia plants. They’re low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing and come in a range of cultivars.
The Peperomia Pixie is perfect for indoors, compact and an all-round easy-care plant. Here’s everything you need to know to grow and care for the Peperomia Pixie.
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What is Peperomia Pixie?
The Peperomia species are a South American native cultivar, boasting a huge variety of subspecies. The peperomia orba, more commonly known as pixie, is a smaller, slow-growing species of the peperomia family.
This bushy, upright succulent grows fantastically furry, grey-green leaves with a single white stripe down the center and long white flower spikes.
Although considered slow-growing, this pretty perennial grows as much as 6-inches tall and wide, given the right conditions.
The peperomia pixie has a wide range of applications, both indoors and outdoors, as long as it’s getting enough indirect light. You can use it for container planting, as a border plant or in hanging baskets.
Other common names for the peperomia pixie include:
- Teardrop Peperomia
- Baby Rubber Plant
How to Grow Peperomia Pixie Lime
Propagation of the pixie is incredibly easy and effective. The most common propagation method is from stem cuttings; however, it is also possible to use a leaf cutting.
How to Propagate Peperomia Pixie
This is the most effective method of propagation, with a high rate of success. Just ensure you are taking a stem cutting from a healthy, thriving plant for the best results.
Simply:
- Use a sterilized blade to remove a stem cutting a few inches in length, with at least two or three healthy leaves.
- Dip the end of the stem into a rooting hormone and place into the preferred potting mix.
- Keep your cutting in a warm, well-lit area.
- Re-plant once you notice some new growth.
Should you want to propagate from a leaf cutting, simply remove a healthy leaf with the stem, and allow the stem to completely dry out. Place the leaf onto some soil and wait for new-growth before planting.
Before planting, make sure you’ve secured the right growing conditions for optimal growth.
What Kind of Soil do Peperomia Plants Need?
Most Peperomia plants enjoy peat-based soil mixes that retain moisture but are still well-draining. Water-logged roots can quickly become a problem, so drainage is key.
For the peperomia pixie we recommend a potting mix that is 2 parts peat moss to 1 part perlite. Soil PH should remain around 5.0 to 7.5 for optimal growth.
Does Peperomia Need Sunlight?
While the peperomia enjoys a good amount of indirect light, direct sunlight can scorch your leaves. This is why it’s recommended to keep your pixie plant in a spot that has plenty of bright, indirect light.
An east-facing window is ideal for indoors. This cultivar can also cope under fluorescent lights, making it a fantastic option for office desks.
How Do You Plant Peperomia Pixie?
Once your cutting has some new growth, and you’ve found the right spot, it’s time to go about planting your peperomia pixie.
Planting Peperomia Pixie in Containers
When planting in containers or pots, it’s essential to make sure you have a container that is deep enough to allow for root growth. The pot should be filled with a well-draining soil mix and have drainage holes.
It’s recommended to wet the once fully, and mixing in some slow-release fertilizer before planting
Growing Peperomia Pixie in Flower Beds
If you’re intending on growing your pixie in the garden, you’ll want to check the soil’s drainage first. If suitable, prepare the soil 10 days before with some manure or compost mixture to improve soil fertility and drainage.
Prepare as much as 18-inches deep for the best results.
How Do You Treat Peperomia Pixie?
As long as you’re maintaining the right soil and light conditions, your pixie plant should be fairly happy. Majority of your plant maintenance will be required throughout the summer months and can be cut back on completely throughout winter.
Watering
Peperomia plants are quite susceptible to over-watering and root rot, so moderate watering using the right watering can is advised. With the peperomia pixie, the soak and dry method is best.
This means you soak your plant in a bath or sink, allow the moisture to reach at least 18-inches deep, then allow the soil to dry fully before soaking again.
You can cut back quite a bit in winter. Also, try to avoid using overly cold water, this tends to cause the roots to shrivel. Room temperature water is ideal.
Fertilization
The pixie plant does well with an added nutritional boost every now and then. It’s recommended to support your plant with some water-soluble plant every two weeks or so.
Pruning
As it’s slow-growing, the pixie plant won’t need much pruning, only if certain stems start to become unruly. Be sure to use a sharp, sterilized blade or pruning shears to avoid damage to the plant or the spread of any diseases.
It is also recommended to consider re-potting your peperomia pixie every spring. This provides the opportunity to refresh the soil, aerate the roots and stimulate healthier growth.
Source: Plantsam.com
Peperomia Problems, Pests & Diseases
Peperomia plants are quite prone to pests, viral and bacterial infection when the conditions for growth are sub-optimal.
Common issues include:
- Fungus Gnats
- Mealybugs
- Thrips
- Scales
- Mites
Why is My Peperomia Leaves Falling Off?
This common issue is caused by overwatering. Peperomia plants store much of their water in their leaves, and when the soil is water-logged, your plant will start dropping off leaves at quite a rapid rate.
Simply cut back on watering, allow your soil to dry out or re-pot your pixie plant.
How Do I Revive My Peperomia?
If the conditions aren’t right, you may notice your Peperomia begins to droop and look quite sad. First, check your soil, if the soil is extremely dry and your leaves are looking drab, pop your plant into a saucer filled with water and allow the soil to really soak.
If the soil is extremely wet and your leaves are drooping or yellowing, remove your plant from the and allow it to sit and dry out for about 24-hours.
With the right care, however, you really shouldn’t have much issue.
If you can't get enough of Peperomia Plants, check out our other Peperomia Plant grow guides:
Wrapping Up Our Peperomia Pixie Growing Guide
Peperomia plants really do make ideal indoor companions and the pixie is no exception. Due to its compact nature, it’s perfect for growing in a variety of spaces or alongside other plants.
When propagating, always be sure to give your plant the right kind of soil and plenty of indirect sunlight to really get it growing. Keep an eye on your soil, to avoid any water-logging but still ensuring it’s getting enough of the moisture that it needs.
Follow these tips and tricks and you’ll have plenty of happily growing peperomia pixie plants all around your home.
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