How to Grow Peperomia Obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant)

The baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) is a compact, low-maintenance, tropical plant grown mostly for its glossy, spoon-shaped, fleshy, dark green or variegated foliage. It occasionally blooms nondescript, small, whitish-green flowers. Peperomia obtusifolia grows best in low-light or indirect bright light, in loose, moist soil, and thrives in high humidity.

Learn how to grow and care for the adorable baby rubber plant and why pet-friendly Peperomia obtusifolia is considered one of the best houseplants for beginners.

Common Name	Baby rubber plant, pepper face plant
Botanical Name	Peperomia obtusifolia
Family	Piperaceae
Plant Type	Perennial, herbaceous
Mature Size	Up to 1 ft. tall
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Clay, sand, loam
Soil pH	Acidic, neutral, alkaline
Bloom Time	Spring, summer, fall, winter
Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	10-12 (USDA)
Native Area	South America

Peperomia Obtusifolia Care

Here are the basic care requirements for Peperomia obtusifolia:

• Choose an indoor spot for your baby rubber plant with bright but indirect light. Place a non-variegated baby rubber plant in low light.
• Avoid overwatering because baby rubber plants do not like soggy, wet conditions.
• Keep the plant in a humid room where the temperature remains between 65°F to 75°F.
• Fertilize monthly during the growing season.

 

Light

Keep your Peperomia obtusifolia out of prolonged, intense sunlight. The foliage can burn and the unique coloration of a variegated cultivar may start to fade. A partially shady spot in a south, east, or west-facing window without too much direct afternoon sun usually works well for this plant.

Non-variegated cultivars can handle low-light conditions but some bright, early morning sun promotes growth and maximizes variegation.

Soil

Baby rubber plants thrive in moist conditions but these epiphytic species dislike wet feet, which leads to root rot. Make certain the medium is well-draining. The plant isn’t too fussy about soil but prefers a loose, fertile potting mix. A mix of 2 parts peat and 1 part perlite or sand will do the job.

Water

Moderate watering during the growing season (around every one to two weeks) is usually sufficient. Allow the potting mix to dry out on the top few inches before rewatering.

Let the soil dry out more between waterings in the winter. However, while the leaves hold moisture and the plant has some drought tolerance, leaving a baby rubber plant too dry for long periods affects the growth and health of the foliage. Don’t frequently leave your baby rubber plant dry for long periods as this affects the foliage’s growth and health.

Temperature and Humidity

Peperomia obtusifolia is the perfect plant for a bright, steamy bathroom. This plant thrives in temperatures from 65°F to 75°F—if the temperature in your home regularly dips below 50°F, this isn’t the plant for you.

Keep your baby rubber plant far from blasting heat, air conditioning units, and drafty windows. If you don’t have your humidity-loving plant in a steamy bathroom, consider misting the leaves and using a pebble tray with water under the plant, especially during the active growth period in the summer.

Fertilizer

Peperomia obtusifolia have small, epiphytic roots and are not heavy feeders. However, a dose of diluted all-purpose liquid fertilizer once or twice a month during the growing season can help encourage healthy foliage growth.

Types of Baby Rubber Plant

Despite its common name, this epiphytic species is not related to the rubber plant (Ficus elastica) but is part of the large Peperomia genus. There are many baby rubber plant cultivars, including a wide selection of variegated options. Some popular options include:

• Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Alba’: These young plants have stems tinged with red and an attractive creamy white variegation that gradually fades to green as it matures.
• Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Gold Tip’: The marbled variegation turns a gold shade towards the tip.
• Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Minima’: This particularly compact form grows small, dense green foliage.

Pruning

The plant has a bushy habit and cutting back the foliage occasionally maintains a tidy shape. Pinching the tips of stems helps to encourage new, healthy foliage and avoids leggy growth.

Removing dead and dying foliage directs energy to healthy, growing leaves and keeps your baby rubber plant looking its best.

Propagating Peperomia Obtusifolia

Peperomia obtusifolia is easy to propagate with stem tip cuttings or division.

Here’s how to create a new plant from a stem cutting:

1. Remove the top of a healthy stem (around 4 inches) with at least a couple of leaves on it, and one node (a bump where a new stem will emerge) below the leaves.
2. Use a small pot (around 4- to 6-inches deep) with a soilless potting mix.
3. Dip the base of the cutting in rooting hormone as an optional, extra step for successful growth.
4. Keep one or two leaves on the cutting and embed the node into the potting mix.
5. Moisten the potting mix without making it soggy and keep it at a warm temperature of at least 65°F.
6. Place the cutting in a spot with bright light.
7. Move the rooted cutting to a more appropriate permanent pot size when there’s new growth.

Potting and Repotting Peperomia Obtusifolia

Baby rubber plants are not repotted often because this compact plant does not have an extensive root system. Once every few years is usually enough. If the roots are starting to grow out of the pot’s drainage holes or the soil is lifting off the sides of the pot, the plant is likely outgrowing its current home. Repot in the spring before the main growing season. Choose a pot that’s slightly larger than the original one, filled with fresh potting mix. A pot that’s too big or deep contributes to too much water that needs to be absorbed from the soil, which can waterlog the plant.

Common Problems with Peperomia Obtusifolia

Even the most easygoing plants can have problems. Keep an eye out for the following issues that can usually be quickly remedied.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Baby rubber plants are sensitive to overwatering. Their usual glossy green leaves turn yellow to let you know it’s getting too much water.

Drooping Leaves

Droopy, wilting leaves happen to baby rubber plants for a few reasons, such as too much light, too little water, or too much fertilizer.

Plant Leaves Falling Off

Sudden leaf drop may happen if your plant is experiencing abrupt and extreme temperature changes.

Browning Tips

Baby rubber plants do not thrive in cold homes where temperatures are 50°F or lower. Cold temperatures result in leaf tips turning brown. However, too much direct sun can cause leaf scorch and turn this plant’s leaf tips brown.