Peperomia makes great house plants due to their small size and relatively low maintenance schedule. If they grow and thrive, they will fill your home with big, lush green leaves in no time. They are mostly kept as indoor plants, but they can do just fine as outdoor additions in the garden. While these plants don’t need much to survive, they can sometimes start to wilt and begin dropping leaves.
The plant’s falling leaves and poor condition can leave you baffled and questioning why is my peperomia dropping leaves? There could be several reasons for this, but there are a few more prominent ones that we will address here. So, if your plant leaves have been falling, take notes because this guide answers your query of why is my peperomia dropping leaves. Let’s begin.
Why Is My Peperomia Dropping Leaves?
Peperomia plants are radiator plants with over a thousand species. They are native to South and Central America. The radiator plants are known for being wonderful houseplants. Their abundant and attractive foliage drives most people to bring them home. But what happens when this vibrant foliage starts falling off, and you are left questioning – why is my peperomia dropping leaves?
If you take quick action, you can solve this issue. But before that, you need to know the causes behind the dropping leaves. Keep reading to find out what is causing your peperomia leaves to drop.
1. Overwatering
Overwatering the peperomia plant is the most common reason for the leaves falling out. This radiator plant stores water in its leaves and does not need much water. It can sustain itself for longer periods, and you need to let the plant dry between watering sessions. Check the foliage for symptoms if you want to be sure that your plant’s dropping leaves are due to excess water.
In case of overwatering, the leaves turn black and squishy. Try lifting the plant. If it is heavy and the soil is drenched, you may have overwatered the plant. To avoid overwatering, dip your finger in the soil for two inches and check if the soil is still wet. In case of dry soil, you can water it then. For beginners, they can buy a moisture meter to easily keep tabs on the soil’s water level and prevent overwatering.
A few things to keep in mind about watering the peperomia:
- Water is less when the temperatures are low, and the environment is cold
- Make sure the soil is dry or almost dry before watering
- Add water from the bottom to ensure the plant holds moisture for a longer period
- In most cases, watering after 1-2 weeks works well
- Pull the plant from the pot, check the roots for damage, and cut any bad ones
- Repot in fresh soil if the previous one is soggy and poorly drained
2. Underwatering
When you don’t have to worry about watering a plant for days, you can often forget about taking care of it completely. This can result in underwatering of the plant. Underwatering can cause the plant leaves to fall as well. To avoid this issue, keep checking the soil after every few days. Dip the finger in and see if it is dry for up to 2 inches. In that case, water it immediately.
If the plant was left without water for a long time and started dropping leaves, you need to soak it in the water now. Take the plant off the pot and soak it in a sink under cold water. Do this for no more than 30 minutes. You should also be careful in warmer weather as the plant will need more water then.
3. Drainage Issues
Poor drainage is linked to overwatering. In addition to overwatering, the soil can get drenched and drown the roots. This soggy and poorly drained soil can cause root rot, fungus attacks, and more diseases causing the plant to die and shed leaves.
Bad drainage could be due to no drainage holes in the plant’s pot. You need to ensure a proper drainage system when adding the soil and plants to the pots. Drainage issues can lead to the soil retaining excess water. Water retention can also be caused by some composts that you are using.
If you notice that your plant’s soil is always wet and drenched, you can add perlite and peat moss to drain the soil. Some coarse soil will also do wonders. Or you could manually drain the soil to avoid sogginess. If the pot doesn’t have a proper drain, shift the pots.
4. Insufficient Light
Not enough light for the plant can cause your peperomia plants to start dropping leaves. Plants need light for the preparation of food. If your plant is placed in an area that does not receive sunlight, such as one blocked by other taller plants or shaded by furniture, this can cause a lack of light for the plant and lead to the shedding of leaves.
Ensure your plant is placed near a window that gets enough indirect sunlight. Don’t place peperomia plants in direct sunlight. If there is no place for natural light to enter your home, you can go for artificial light to grow your houseplants.
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5. Pest attacks
Pests can leach out all the nutrients from your plants and leave them for the dead. A pest infestation can spread quickly and take over your entire garden or neighboring plants. This could be one of the reasons behind your peperomia plant dropping leaves. Pests can invade the plants when you overwater them or leave them in soggy soil.
If the pests have taken over your plants, you can spray a horticulture oil like the neem oil on all plant parts thoroughly. Continue doing this for one or two weeks. You may also opt for an insecticidal soap to treat pest infestation.
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Conclusion
I hope this guide answers your question of why is my peperomia dropping leaves so you can begin working on the solution to reviving your houseplants. Remember that every plant has different needs, and you must do your research before bringing home any plant.
If you have any tips for taking care of the peperomia plant, drop them in the comments.