Peperomia is a slow-growing tropical plant with a shallow root system. In their natural habitat, their roots can grow freely without any restrictions. However, as houseplants, they are usually kept in pots and have limited space to grow. It may lead to your peperomia becoming root-bound over time. So, do peperomia like to be root bound?
Do peperomia like to be root bound?
Yes, peperomia does like to be root bound. Firstly, due to its slow growth and shallow root system, it takes a long time to become root-bound. Secondly, your peperomia is likely to remain healthy even if it is root bound to some extent. However, excess binding of roots may prevent them from absorbing the essential nutrients and can lead to issues like stunted growth, droopy leaves, and weakness. So, it is best to take preventive measures if your find that your peperomia is starting to get excessively root-bound. The best solution is to re-pot your peperomia in a bigger tub so that it has adequate space to grow well.
When to Repot
Peperomia should be repotted at least once every two or three years to ensure that the plant has adequate space to grow and remains healthy. Further, it is best to keep an eye out for signs of your plant becoming root-bound. Although unlikely due to its slow growth rate, if any signs of the peperomia being root-bound are spotted, it is best to immediately re-pot the plant to ensure the least damage.
Pot
Peperomia like to be root bound to some extent. However, if your peperomia has become too root bound, it is best to shift it to a larger pot. It allows the roots an adequate area for growth and helps ensure that the plant grows healthy and strong. However, always remember to ensure that the pot size is not too large as it can lead to problems of overwatering. It is best to select an adequately sized porous pot with proper drainage holes to ensure that it remains compactly fitted and doesn’t face such issues of stunted growth or overwatering.
Soil
A well-draining soil is very important for your peperomia. It prefers a light and rich potting mix that is aerated and well-drained. It is best to make such a potting mix at home by adding perlite to regular potting soil to create a mix that is adequate for peperomia. Bark and coconut coir can also be added as peperomia likes them both. Repot the plant using the given mixture to help ensure the best results.
Procedure
Repotting a root-bound peperomia is fairly easy. Carefully take out the root-bound plant from the old pot. Prune the damaged and dead parts and re-pot the plant in an adequately sized pot with a potting mix that is rich, aerated, and well-drained. Water adequately and carry out the regular plant care routine to keep your peperomia healthy.
Thus, while peperomia likes to be slightly root bound, these are some of the steps to fix your peperomia if it is excessively root-bound.
