Peperomia turboensis aka Peperomia 'Red Watermelon'

Taxonomy

Peperomia turboensis is a stunning plant species native to Colombia, belonging to the Peperomia genus in the Piperaceae family. It grows as a subshrub primarily in wet tropical areas and is highly sought-after for its striking appearance. The dark green leaves have metallic stripes that glitter under the right lighting conditions, while the undersides can be almost burgundy in color. This species does exceptionally well in terrariums and prefers very moist soil along with a high humidity environment. The leaves are held up with petioles that can get up to about 5” in length, with the leaves themselves growing up to about 3” in diameter. Interestingly, Peperomia plants belong to the pepper family, along with black peppercorns. Their fruits and seeds have traveled over 3000 miles to an island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, stuck to a bird's feet. These plants can also be easily propagated by leaves, making them an excellent choice for sharing with friends. It's worth noting that while Peperomia turboensis can also be grown epiphytically, it's best grown terrestrially to prevent it from breaking off from its mount due to its size.

Common names

Peperomia 'Red Watermelon'

How to care for Peperomia 'Red Watermelon'

Difficulty

Caring for Peperomia 'Red Watermelon' is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Peperomia 'Red Watermelon' should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Peperomia 'Red Watermelon' loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Peperomia 'Red Watermelon' prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Peperomia 'Red Watermelon'. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Peperomia 'Red Watermelon' should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Peperomia 'Red Watermelon'’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia