Mini Watermelon Peperomia- Buying, Propagation & Toxicity Guide [Updated 2024]

Wouldn’t you agree if I said Mini Watermelon Peperomia looks like a small watermelon kept in a pot? 

Mini Watermelon Peperomia makes a great decorative plant with silvery stripes on delicate waxy leaves.

So, provide them with their optimal care requirements.

Continue reading for the complete care guide for growing this doppelganger of Watermelon.

Mini Watermelon Peperomia: Overview

Mini Watermelon Peperomia hails from tropical forests of South America and thrives in warmer climates. 

It is also known as Dwarf Peperomia because they are compact with growth on smaller petioles.

Let us have a quick overview of the Mini Watermelon Peperomia.

Where to Buy Mini Watermelon Peperomia?

For your easiness, I have listed some online stores where you can buy the Mini Watermelon Peperomia.

Mini Watermelon Peperomia- Complete Grow & Care Guide

Native to South America, Peperomia thrives to its maximum potential when provided with mimicked natural habitat. 

Here is a quick care guide to let you get acquainted before we delve deeper.

At least 5-6 hours of indirect bright sunlight	7-10 days in spring and summer Once a month in fall and winter
Well-draining, water retaining soil pH level: 6 to 6.6	Balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer once a month during the growing season
60-80°F (15.55°C to 26.67°C)	High humidity levels (40-50%)
After 2-3 years in spring or early summer	Stems and Leaf-cutting

1. Sunlight & Temperature

Mini Watermelon Peperomia is a tropical plant native to South America, so it gets plenty of sunlight under the canopy of trees in its natural habitat.

However, the plant shows the signs like stunted & leggy growth and droopy and pigmented leaves in exposure to low sunlight and temperature.

On top of that, leaves curling, browning, drying & cracked soil, and paler leaves are the symptoms of excessive sunlight & temperature.

Tips to Provide Optimum Light & Temperature

• Rotate your plant occasionally to ensure all parts receive equal light throughout.
• If you live in a darker apartment without enough sunlight, you can use fluorescent light to grow them.
• Give your plant 10-12 hours of grow light during winter to ensure sufficient sunlight.
• Use heating pads or frost blankets in winter to keep them warm.

2. Watering & Humidity

Peperomias don’t like sitting in the pool of water and will not thrive underwatering either.

Under the condition of low watering & humidity, the plant shows symptoms like brown and mushy roots, splitting, and curling of leaves.

However, browning, wilting, and decaying of plant parts are the symptoms of plants during excessive watering & humidity.

Tips to Ensure Proper Watering & Humidity

• Water the plant using distilled or rainwater and ensure it is not too hot or cold.
• Let the tap water sit for more than a day before feeding them to your plant.

• For optimal watering, make sure to water until it oozes out of the drainage hole.
• Invest in a moisture meter to keep the moisture level and water per the requirement.
• You can also invest in a humidifier to maintain the desired humidity.

Pro tip: Insert chopsticks into the soil,  it is the time to water your plant if the top few inches of soil are dry.

3. Soil & Fertilization

Mini Watermelon Peperomias foliage will grow lusciously if provided with a good soil mixture.

However, root burn, leggy, and spindly growth are the signs of over-fertilization.

On top of that, the plant shows symptoms like slower growth, pale yellow foliage, and a frail stem when it suffers from under-fertilization.

Tips to Provide Proper Soil & Fertilization

• Thoroughly water before and after applying the fertilizer to your plant.
• Ensure to apply fertilizer a few inches away from the base of the plant to avoid chemical burns.
• To save your plant from overfertilization, flood the soil with water allowing water to flow from the drain holes for several minutes.
• Consider providing mild plant food if your plant exhibits under-fertilizing signs.
• Apply a diluted organic houseplant fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season to promote growth.

4. Occasional Pruning

Mini Watermelon Peperomia is a slow grower, so it does not require frequent pruning.

The common pests & pathogens are Mealybugs, Aphids, Scale, Cercospora, Rhizoctonia & Ring Spot Viruses.

Tips to Prune Mini Watermelon Peperomia

• Sterilize the pruning tools before you start pruning.
• Prioritize removing old, decaying parts or leaves of the plant to encourage healthy plant growth.
• Prune off deformed or yellowing leaves using sterilized sharp pruners at a 45° angle.
• Do not cut more than one-third of the plant at a time. Too much pruning off may induce shock in the plant, halting the growth.
• As a final treatment, apply malathion solutions or Neem oils to control the pest infestation.

5. Frequent Repotting 

Mini Watermelon Peperomia prefers repotting once every three years in a slightly larger pot than the current one during spring or summer.

However, you must ensure the pot has a proper drainage hole so water does not clog and the soil does not become soggy.

When the volume of the root system exceeds the pot and starts coming out from drainage holes or above the soil surface, consider repotting your plant to fresh soil.

Steps to Repot Mini Watermelon Peperomia

• Fill the new pot with soil mixed with perlite, fertilizer, and peat moss.
• Water the plant generously for two hours before repotting, as dry soil can damage the roots.
• Transfer the plant carefully to the center of the new pot.
• Fill it with fresh potting soil on the top.
• Put a layer of pine bark pieces on the top to retain the moisture.
• Water them generously for roots to form quickly in the soil.
• Place them in bright indirect sunlight in an east or west-facing window.

Watch the video for more information,

Growth Rate, Foliage, and Flowering

When fully grown, the Mini Watermelon Peperomia can reach a maximum height of 6 inches.

Moreover, the leaves of Mini Watermelon Peperomia are green with silver lines replicating the leaves of Watermelon.

Unlike other Watermelon Peperomia, Mini Watermelon Peperomia has a shorter stem, so it doesn’t grow to a significant height making it very compact.

With proper care and requirements, you will likely see a bloom of Mini Watermelon Peperomia.

Mini Watermelon Peperomia produces an unattractive, scentless flower that resembles a long string. Watermelon Peperomias are known for their foliage, not flowers.

These unusual spike-like flower blossoms have a life span of nearly two weeks. Eventually, these flowers produce seeds, but they are hard to extract.

Toxicity of Mini Watermelon Peperomia

The Mini Watermelon Peperomia is beautiful and safe for you and your pets.

According to ASPCA, Mini Watermelon Peperomia is consided non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Although they are safe, it is best to keep them out of the reach of your pets because nibbled plants do not look attractive or healthy.

If your pets consume it, they may experience stomach upset, but nothing serious.

Therefore, it is better to avoid any accidental consumption. Keep your plants safely away from your pets’ and kids.

Propagating Mini Watermelon Peperomia

Propagating Mini Watermelon Peperomia can be done via stem and leaf cutting during the active growing season.

However, stem cutting is preferred due to its easy steps and optimal chances of successful propagation. 

1. Propagation by Stem Cutting

Propagating the Mini Watermelon Peperomia by stem cutting is one of the simplest methods.

So, let us begin the propagation via stem cutting, shall we?

Step 1: Get the Cuttings

• Identify and choose one of the healthy stems for propagating.
• Ensure the selected stem has a healthy leaf on top of it.
• Cut off the stems neatly at a 45° angle, leaving 2-3 inches of stem to stay right up when planted in soil.
• Make sure there are no leaves on the bottom part but leave the top leaves.

Step 2: Rooting in Water

• Place it in a glass or vase with a wide neck to easily transplant if needed.
• Fill the container with clean water and submerge the cutting only halfway.
• Use rooting hormone for better growth of the roots.
• Change the water weekly or when it starts to get dirty.
• Place the jar in a warm place with sufficient ample sunlight.
• When the roots grow an inch, you can transfer them to the soil.

2. Propagation via Leaf Cuttings

You can use the broken leaves or cut healthy leaves straight from the plant. Use a seedling tray or rectangular water-filled container if you have many leaf pieces.

Follow the steps to propagate it easily.

• Cut the leaf in half above the petiole with a clean cut using a sharp scissor.
• Prepare potting soil consisting of compost, peat moss, and perlite.
• Place the half leaf with the petiole in the soil, but it will also propagate if it is just above the soil.
• Water the plant lightly or use a mister to avoid overwatering.
• To create humidity and retain moisture, wrap the plant in plastic wrap or use a container with a lid.
• Place it in a spot where it gets warm indirect sunlight.
• Roots will form within 2-3 weeks.
• Remove the lid or plastic wraps after roots start forming.
• When the plants are big, place the plant in a regular pot without damaging the roots.

You might want to look at the video explaining propagation via leaf cutting.