Peperomia clusiifolia green and red

Credit: Juline Lepage

Red and green Peperomia clusiifolia in pot

Credit: Yercaud Elango

Green and red leaf Peperomia red Margin

Credit: Sharmila1076

Green leaves with red edge Peperomia clusiifolia

Credit: Marija Gajic

Peperomia clusiifolia 'Red Margin', elegant right to the edge of the leaves

No, red in the margin doesn't necessarily mean a bad grade! It's also the distinguishing feature of Peperomia clusiifolia 'Red Margin'. This plant has dark green leaves edged in red. A member of the Piperaceae family, it originates from the West Indies and Venezuela.

How to recognize Peperomia clusiifolia 'Red Margin'?

Peperomia clusiifolia 'Red Margin' is a plant with a dense, upright habit. It grows to a height of 25 to 35 centimetres, with a spread of around 15 centimetres.

Its roots are fine and shallow. Stems are reddish in color.

The foliage, too, has a touch of red. The glossy, dark-green leaves are edged with crimson or purple and crossed by light veins. Their shape is the same as that of the botanical Peperomia clusiifolia. The elliptical leaf blades are fleshy and leathery.

The plant sometimes produces spikes of white-green flowers. Unlike Peperomia argyreia flowers, they are odorless. So you can keep them to add even more nuance.

The fruits resemble small berries. They contain tiny seeds.

Peperomia clusiifolia 'Red Margin' is non-toxic to pets, making it a safe choice for homes with dogs or cats.

Our maintenance tips

Peperomia 'Red Margin behaves almost like a succulent. You don't need to water it much and it gets plenty of light. Avoid direct sunlight, however, as it is too strong for its delicate leaves.

Watering

Peperomia 'Red Margin needs a regular supply of water. But, like many plants, the plant cannot tolerate excess. Check that the potting soil has dried on the surface (two to three centimetres) before watering. If this is the case, use non-calcareous water at room temperature. You only need to moisten the root ball, not the soil.

Don't forget to drain off any stagnant water in the saucer or planter. It could rot the roots.

Spray

Peperomia 'Red Margin love humidity. Spray their foliage to increase humidity and combat pest invasion.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Peperomia clusiifolia 'Red Margin' to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Obtain a pierced pot one size larger than the previous one. Place a bed of clay balls or non-limestone gravel at the bottom to promote drainage. Then fill with a nutrient-rich potting soil, such as green plant compost, to within three centimetres of the rim. This way, water won't overflow during watering.

To create a close environment that will remind your plant of its natural surroundings, you can place its pot on a saucer filled with wet clay balls. They'll diffuse a much-appreciated humidity!

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Apply green plant fertilizer in addition to watering.

Cleaning

Clean the top and bottom of the leaves with a damp sponge. This removes dust and keeps pests at bay.

Prune

Remove wilted and yellowed leaves.

Pinch

Pinch your Peperomia clusiifolia 'Red Margin' during its growing season.

To encourage stem branching, pinch off the terminal buds.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Take a stem about ten centimeters long, with at least one leaf and one node. Use a clean, sharp tool, such as scissors or pruning shears, to cut below the node.

Place your cutting in a glass filled with water at room temperature. Make sure you submerge the knots, which will form the roots.

Place in a bright spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water regularly to keep it clear until the roots appear.

Disease / Threat

Red spiders

Information

Family	Piperaceae - Piperaceae
Type	Peperomia - Peperomia
Species	Peperomia clusiifolia - Peperomia clusiifolia
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Herbaceous
Tag	Beginner
Origin	Central America
Hardiness (USDA)	11b
Leaf color
Flower colors