Peperomia is a slow-growing tropical plant known for its low maintenance requirements. Although slow-growing, it tends to grow throughout the year. So, if your peperomia has stopped growing completely, it is likely that it is suffering from some form of stress. So, why is your peperomia not growing?
Why is my peperomia not growing?
Peperomia is a slow-growing perennial plant. So, it tends to grow throughout the year. However, its growth slows down further as the plant enters its dormant phase during winters. So, if such a lack of growth is noticed in winters, it is likely that the plant is simply dormant. However, if such lack of growth is for a prolonged period or doesn’t start at the onset of the growing season, it may be an issue of concern. Lack of growth occurs due to various factors, and if not corrected soon, may lead to severe problems.
So, some of the factors which need to be taken care of to ensure the growth of your peperomia plant is –
- Humidity
- Water
- Nutrients
Humidity
While peperomia is a hardy houseplant with an ability to adapt to harsh situations, it still needs some basic factors to flourish. One such factor is humidity. In their native tropical climates, peperomia is exposed to over 90% humidity. However, the humidity inside a house is usually around 50%. While peperomia is a resilient houseplant and can tolerate a humidity level of around 40%, it usually requires proper humidity to grow well.
Solution
Peperomia usually requires at least 50% humidity to grow well. So, it is important to keep checking the level of humidity using a hygrometer. However, if the humidity levels drop below 50%, you can resort to misting to ensure that the levels are maintained. While misting can provide temporary humidity to the plants, it is best to use a humidifier to ensure more stable and balanced humidification.
Water
Water is essential for the growth of your peperomia. A lack of water would stop the growth of your plant, while an excess of water is likely to kill it. Thus, the right amount of water is very important for the continued growth of your plant.
Solution
It is best to have a watering schedule to ensure that the frequency of watering is kept in check. Water the plant enough to keep the soil moist, but don’t allow the water to stagnate in the pot. Stagnation may lead to problems like root rot and can be of fatal consequence for your peperomia.
Nutrients
Proper nutrients are essential to carry out the day-to-day life processes of your peperomia plant. So, a lack of nutrients is likely to prevent your peperomia plant from growing. It may also lead to more severe problems in the long run. Thus, it is important to provide the right nutrients for your peperomia.
Solution
The best way to supplement the lack of nutrients is with fertilizers such as NPK. However, be careful as over-fertilizing your plant may lead to its death. Usually, fertilizing it once every two weeks during the growing season is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of your peperomia.
Thus, these are a few of the reasons why your peperomia plant may not be growing and the steps to correct the same.