Peperomia Abricos is a stunning perennial plant with a modest size. It belongs to the Piperaceae family of plants which consists of more than 1000 species of fleshy tropical and subtropical herbs.
It is a super rare plant and needs a good amount of water to thrive. The plant has rich crimson leaves, almost colored blackish-brown that grow on red-colored branchlets.
Another interesting fact about this plant is its pink-colored edges. The low maintenance of this plant makes it an excellent house plant.
Peperomia Abricos Classification
Family: Piperaceae
Subfamily: Piperoideae
Genus: Peperomia
Appearance
Foliage: The foliage of this amazing Peperomia variant is eye-catching, with nearly black leaves with pastel pink borders. The leaves have a wavy surface and grow snugly on short and slender reddish-brown branchlets.
Flower: It is an indoor plant with a formal appearance.
Size: It is a compact plant that grows up to 30 cm in indoor spaces.
Peperomia Abricos Care
The plant grows excellently when the soil is perpetually moist but it shouldn’t get soggy. The plant doesn’t like cold weather and cannot survive under cold conditions for long so it should be kept warm.
Fertilize your plant once every month with a diluted fertilizer and keep it under bright to medium indirect sunlight. Maintain the temperature between 18°C to 26° and the humidity level should range between 40 to 50%
Watering: When the topsoil is dry, water it.
Soil type: Peat moss-based potting mix.
Sunlight: Medium to Bright Sunlight
Temperature: 18°C to 26°C.
Humidity: 40% to 50%.
Fertilizer: Every month with diluted fertilizer.
Hardiness: 11 and 12.
Watering Requirements
Peperomia caperata Abricos requires you to water it regularly but you need to check and make sure that the topsoil is dry before you start watering.
To check this you can use the basic thumb rule by digging your thumb into the soil and checking if it is dry. Overwatering will cause the plant to rot quickly if the soil becomes damp. To avoid this, use the drainage holes of the pot to drain the excess water from the soil.
The plants’ water requirement increases during the summer season due to extreme heat. During the summers you should water your plant more than once a week however, during the winter season it’ll only require you to water it once in 9 to 10 days.
Soil Requirements
The optimal potting mix for peperomia abricos is potting mix included with peat, some perlite, or vermiculite. Perlite is beneficial for the potting mix’s moisture retention and vermiculite is excellent for promoting aeration.
These components aid in enhancing the soil drainage and make an excellent potting mix for the growth of the plant. The plant can also be grown in a Botanical mix that is breezy, spacious, lighter, and rapid draining.
Sunlight Requirements
The plant has reddish, almost nearly black-colored leaves that necessitate bright to medium sunlight to thrive and for its photosynthesis to occur. Its leaves end up losing their rich hue and seem drab under dim light.
Direct sunlight, on the contrary, can burn its foliage and singe the tip of the leaves. You need to place your plant at a spot where it receives lucent, partial sunlight.
The plant will thrive at a location that is a few yards away from the east, south, or west-facing window. If the luminance of light is weak in your house then fluorescent lights could be useful in supplying your plant with appropriate light.
Temperature Requirements
Peperomia Abricos plant grows excellently under warm temperatures. The ideal temperature range is between 18 to 26 degrees Celsius.
These plants thrive when the temperature of the surroundings is above 15 degrees Celsius. Place the plant in a greenhouse during the summer season to keep it warm. During the winter season put it in a properly aired, airy area to keep it cool.
Humidity Requirements
The plant grows excellently under humidity levels ranging from 40% to 50%. This is relative humidity yet still more than usual humidity in a home. A humidifier can be used to boost the humidity of a plant that is placed in indoor spaces.
If you have a houseplant like a Boston fern or areca palm then you wouldn’t have to bother about controlling the humidity as these plants naturally increase the humidity of the air in their surroundings.
Fertilizer Requirements
During the growth season which usually begins in the spring and finishes in the late summer, the plant develops rapidly. Peperomia abricos require vital nutrients to thrive throughout these days.
Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus are the most common nutrients. Fertilize the plant once a month to provide it with vital nutrients. Liquid fertilizer with an appropriate amount of Nitrogen Phosphorus and Potassium would do the job for your plant.
Grooming and Pruning Requirements
The plant is a year-round grower, it is vital to prune it regularly to maintain it in a good shape. Use your gardening shears and snip down any brown or yellow leaves you come across.
However, before using the tool make sure you disinfect it. The most suitable time to prune your Peperomia Abricos Plant is during the early summers or during the spring as at these times of the year, the plant grows the best.
Peperomia Abricos Propagation
Here is a guide on how to propagate your Peperomia Abricos Plant.
Propagation By Leaf Cutting:
- Take some of your plant’s healthy leaves and petioles.
- Allow for callus formation by leaving these out overnight.
- Place the leaves in a propagation container with 50% peat moss and 50% potting soil.
- Insert the leaves into the soil with the help of a pin or use a stick.
- Put the propagation container in someplace with bright sunlight.
- Mist the cuttings on regular basis.
- You will see new roots coming out in a month or two.
Propagation By Stem Cutting:
- Cut a broad and healthy core branch from the parent plant.
- You must cut a branch that is 3 to 4 inches long in size and should have a few leaves around it.
- Leave it alone for 24 hours to allow the callus to dry out.
- Now you can immerse it in water or place it straight into the potting mix.
- Place your cuttings in a warm spot with partial shade.
- You will see new roots coming out in a matter of 3 to 4 weeks.
Features of Peperomia Abricos
Growth
Peperomia Abrics is a year-round growing peperomia specie with a modest rate of growth. It’s a year-round bloomer. Keeping this plant under ideal conditions keeps it thriving and increases its growth rate.
Toxicity
This plant isn’t toxic to any pets or humans. The leaves and the foliage of the plant are completely safe for pets so don’t be concerned if your pet by mistake ingests any of its leaves.
Drought Tolerance
It is a drought-resistant plant and can go days without being watered. The plants like to be watered when the soil has completely dried. The plant saves water in its stem and leaves and survives on it when there is no availability of water.
Maintenance
Peperomia Abricos is a low-maintenance plant and requires you to carry out only a few basic care requirements and can be grown by a beginner.
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Diseases
When raised as a potted plant, Peperomia abricos might get diseased. If you spray the plant with water straight from the above side and the leaves remain drenched for an extended period, fungus might attack your plant’s leaves and destroy them.
The emergence of dark dots over the foliage of the plant is the most common indication of fungal illnesses. Remove the affected sections and Apply fungicide to the plant to get rid of it.
Pests
Because of its thick and bushy stems, aphids, mealybugs, and scales are enticed to this species. These three pests consume the plant’s sap and destroy it from the inside out. To keep these pests at bay, there are a few things you should do.
- Always check the bottom portion of the leaves for pests as this is where they’re usually found and reside.
- After watering, arrange the leaves in an area with adequate airflow.
- If you spot any bugs, spray the plant with a mixture of neem oil and water.
Conclusion
Peperomia Abricos is an excellent houseplant with striking foliage. Its rich crimson foliage will not only provide your indoor spaces with an exuberant look but also purify the air around them.
It is a low-maintenance plant and requires you to carry out only a few basic care requirements. If you’re new to the world of Gardening it is an excellent plant to get started with.
