Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia Argyreia) Indoor Care Guide

Watermelon Peperomia, botanical name Peperomia argyreia, is an evergreen perennial shrub in the family Piperaceae. The plant is native to Brazil and Ecuador but has been introduced as an ornamental houseplant worldwide. It is also sometimes called “Watermelon Begonia,” as the leaves share some likenesses to begonias and watermelons even though the plant itself is neither.

This semi-succulent shrub has oval leaves 3-4 inches long and 1-3 inches wide. They are deep green with silver veins that strongly resemble the white markings on a watermelon, hence the name. Their stems are colored blood red, providing a striking contrast to the leaves. In comparison, the flowers are small, green, and borne on short spikes that barely peek over the foliage in summer.

Peperomia argyreia Main Characteristics

Common Name	Watermelon Peperomia, Watermelon Begonia
Botanical Name	Peperomia argyreia
Synonym	Peperomia sandersii
Family	Piperaceae
Genus	Peperomia
Type	Herbaceous perennial
Native Range	Northern South America to Brazil
USDA Hardiness Zones	10 to 12
Mature Size	Height: 0.50-0.75 feet; Spread: 0.25-0.50 feet
Bloom Time	Seasonal
Foliage	Evergreen
Propagation methods	by seeds, by cuttings
Sun	Partial shade
Soil	Medium Moisture, Well-Drained
Toxicity	Non-Toxic

Watermelon Peperomia Care

As long as you stick to the proper care routine, there’s very little that can go wrong. The dutiful are rewarded handsomely with lush growth. Here’s how you get started.

Light and Location

It does best in medium light while being protected from direct sunlight. It can even tolerate very low light conditions for a long time but don’t consider this their preference. 

Aesthetically, these plants rarely serve as centerpieces when placed in a garden. Instead, their distinct, bright green leaves are better suited to accentuating other, more striking plants. Therefore, complementing this perennial with others that share similar needs is a great way to increase the value it brings to your garden. Alternatively, its small size makes it perfect as a desktop plant, something to consider if you’re redecorating the office. 

Watering

Watermelon Begonia should be watered moderately and consistently in the growing season. Lessen the watering frequency in the fall. Then, resume watering moderately again in the spring. Before watering, make sure that the top layer of soil has dried out from the last session.

Temperature

Peperomia argyreia is native to the tropics and prefers warm, wet environments. Temperatures of about 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit are optimal. However, it can tolerate cold down to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity

This plant requires moderate to high humidity levels to thrive. The plant will not do well in dry conditions and can suffer from leaf drop, wilting, and even death if the humidity levels in its environment are too low. Use a humidifier if you have one, or place the plant on a water tray filled with pebbles.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing Watermelon Begonia is not necessary, but if you choose to do so, use a balanced liquid fertilizer every other week from spring to summer. Follow the package instructions when you feed. Don’t feed at all during the fall and winter; it simply isn’t needed.

Propagating Watermelon Peperomia

The recommended method for propagating Watermelon Peperomia is by way of leaf cuttings. Stem and tip cuttings can also work, but most people stick with leaf cuttings as the tried and true method. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Take a cutting of a leaf with a stalk from a healthy plant.
2. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone powder to increase the chances of the cutting taking root.
3. Plant in seedling starter potting mix.
4. Keep the soil warm with some moisture until the cutting has rooted.

This plant can also be propagated using seeds, but propagation by cuttings is easier with a higher chance of success. 

Potting and Repotting Watermelon Peperomia

Peperomia argyreia can be potted in a wide variety of containers, depending on your preference. When potting, make sure to use a well-draining potting mixture. The potting soil needs to be neither too dry nor too wet. A well-draining mix with medium moisture is the way to go.

This is a slow-growing plant that rarely needs repotting. In fact, it prefers being pot-bound most of the time. Only when the roots are overflowing from the pot should you consider repotting. Use a pot one size larger than the previous pot and repot the plant in fresh soil. Water thoroughly and keep warm.

Common Pests

The most common pests of Watermelon Peperomia are spider mites and mealybugs. Both are sapsuckers that can cause significant damage to the plant if left unchecked. Thankfully, infestations are rare. But, if you’re unlucky enough to be visited by these unwanted guests, dab cotton balls laced with rubbing alcohol on the affected areas of the plant. In general, this is more than enough to take care of things.

Care Tips for the Watermelon Peperomia Plant (Video)

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