Peperomia is a hardy tropical semi-succulent with incredible resilience to harsh conditions. So, growing peperomia requires little maintenance and is ideal for beginner houseplant enthusiasts. However, sometimes your peperomia may be infected with a deadly fatal disease called root rot. So, how to save your peperomia from root rot?
How to save peperomia from root rot?
Root rot is a fungal disease that affects the roots of the plant and prevents the plant from absorbing the essential nutrients and water from the soil. As a result, the plant starts to starve and eventually dies. Thus, it is very important to take preventive measures to help prevent root rot in your plant.
Firstly, it is very important to understand the reason for the root rot infection and the steps to take to save your plant. so, some of the reasons that can lead to root rot in your peperomia are –
- Excess water
- Wrong Soil
- Lack of Sunlight
Excess Water
The primary reason for root rot in peperomia is overwatering. It usually happens as excess water makes the plant mushy and weak. A weakened plant is more prone to being infected by root rot. Thus, providing the right amount of water is very important for your peperomia.
Solution
Preparing a watering schedule to keep your watering frequency regulated. Avoid leaving stagnant water in the plant and only water when the soil starts to dry. Use a pot with proper drainage holes to drain off the excess water and ensure that the peperomia is not over-hydrated.
Wrong Soil
Peperomia requires soil that has limited water retention capability. So, if the soil that is used is too clayey, it is likely that the water will be retained for too long. This will lead to suffocation of the roots as they cannot breathe in excessively watered soil. The plant will eventually become weak and susceptible to bacterial infections such as root rot. Thus, the right soil is very important for the well-being of your peperomia.
Solution
The best way is to mix regular potting soil with some amount of perlite. It makes the soil adequately aerated and provides the right water holding capacity for your peperomia plant. Always ensure that the soil is well-drained and the pot has proper drainage holes.
Lack of Sunlight
While peperomia requires sunlight for photosynthesis, it also helps evaporate the excessive water. If there is a lack of proper sunlight, the water will not evaporate, and the damp soil will create the ideal environment for infections like root rot.
Solution
The best way to ensure that it has access to proper sunlight is to place the peperomia in a location of partial shade, where it has access to abundant indirect sunlight throughout the day.
If the peperomia is already affected with root rot, immediately sever the affected parts with a sterile knife and spray with an effective fungicide to help the plant heal. Repotting the peperomia with fresh, sterile soil is used to reduce the chances of infections.
Thus, these are some of the steps to save your peperomia.
