As a plant lover, it’s absolutely satisfying to see your plant collection filled with beautiful and unique greeneries.
If this is your first time propagating plants, it’s best to choose a plant that’s easy to grow. A watermelon peperomia is one, and you can propagate this by just using its leaf or stem.
If you’re interested to learn more about how to propagate watermelon peperomia, keep reading!
What Do I Need for Watermelon Peperomia Propagation?
Before starting off, it’s important that you have all the right tools for propagation.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A healthy watermelon peperomia plant
- A clean pair of scissors or cutter
- A pot with drainage holes
- A glass or vase (for water propagation)
- Fresh soil
- Clean water
- Clear plastic bag
How Do I Propagate Watermelon Peperomia?
We have two options to properly propagate watermelon peperomia. You can choose which method works best for your plant.
- Leaf Cuttings
One of the greatest things about watermelon peperomia is that even just a small part of its leaf can grow multiple new plants. You can do this by cutting a leaf from the mother plant and snipping it in half or in quarters.
Just a quick tip: If you’re going to propagate in water, the stem of a leaf would also come in handy.
Soil Propagation
The advantage of propagating in the soil is you can plant the leaf straight into the pot. There’s no need for repotting the new plant.
However, you’ll miss the chance to see the roots and the baby plants develop.
Here’s how you do it:
- Prepare a pot with drainage holes and fill it with a suitable soil mix for the watermelon peperomia.
- Place the leaf cutting in the soil and make sure to bury the cut edge of the leaf.
- Moisten the soil lightly using a spray bottle.
- Create a greenhouse by covering the pot with a clear plastic bag to help contain humidity.
- Once you notice signs of new growth, you can remove the cover.
- After a few days, gently pull the leaf cuttings to check if a root system has formed.
- If there’s resistance when you pull the cuttings, then your plant is doing great.
Water Propagation
Propagating in water is usually the last option for gardeners. It’s not always successful and it’s slower compared to soil propagation.
In addition, water propagation is hard to do if you’re using leaf cuttings. This is simply because leaf cuttings are small and can easily sink below the surface of the water and rot.
However, if you still prefer water propagation, follow these steps:
- Fill your glass container with clean water.
- Place the leaf cutting in, including the stem which should be submerged in water.
- Put the container somewhere bright and warm, but not in direct sunlight.
- Make sure to change the water regularly.
- The first signs of growth should appear within a week or two if it’s summer.
- If you’re in the winter season, it can take as much as a month or two.
- Once the first roots and baby plants grow, transfer them into a pot.
2. Stem Cuttings
When we talk about stem cutting, we are referring to the main stem of the mother plant that looks like a small trunk. This is where the leaves sprout from.
To propagate watermelon peperomia using stem cuttings:
- Cut a section of the mother’s stem (make sure it has a leaf attached to it).
- The stem should be long enough to stay upright when you plant it in the soil.
- Place the cutting in moistened soil.
- Seal the pot with a plastic bag to control humidity.
- Keep the pot in a warm area with direct sunlight.
- If there’s condensation on the bag, it’s a sign to water the plant.
What Is the Timeline of Watermelon Peperomia Propagation?
The timeline of growing watermelon peperomia varies based on the method you use in propagating.
If you propagate the plant in soil, you should expect signs of new growth to appear within two to four weeks. The baby plants usually grow for about three to five weeks.
If you prefer water propagation, you’ll see roots developing within two to six weeks.
How Often Should I Water Propagated Watermelon Peperomia?
You can water your plant once a week.
Since watermelon peperomia has higher levels of sap, it’s prone to overwatering. Wait until the top inch of soil dries out before you water the plant.
Repotting Watermelon Peperomia
Watermelon peperomia cuttings should have roots within 4 to 6 weeks, but you’ll have to wait for three months before repotting the plant. This is to make sure that there’s a strong root system.
To avoid root damage when repotting, don’t try to remove the soil around the roots. You’ll be using the same soil anyway. After repotting the new plant, there’s no need for plastic bags to contain humidity anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use tap water when propagating watermelon peperomia?
Using tap water when propagating the plant is fine.
However, it’s recommended to use filtered or distilled water. This gets rid of contaminants that can be harmful to plants.
When is the best time to propagate watermelon peperomia?
You can start propagating this plant in early spring. During this season, the temperature and the environment are warm enough to encourage the growth of new roots.
Avoid propagating during the winter season as cold temperatures can increase the chances of root rot, killing your leaf cuttings.
Is it recommended to fertilize watermelon peperomia leaf and stem cuttings?
If you’re propagating watermelon peperomia plants, it’s okay to fertilize the cuttings after a month.
By then, these plants will have grown a mature root system.
Conclusion
How to propagate watermelon peperomia?
You can propagate this plant in two ways: by using leaf cuttings or stem cuttings. You can also choose whether to propagate the cuttings in the soil or in water.
Since watermelon peperomia plants are prone to overwatering, you don’t have to water them frequently. Once a week should be enough.