Peperomia Soil: A Complete Guide

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to proper plant care. Many plant owners focus on learning the water and sun needs of a plant, but they forget one important consideration – soil, more specifically Peperomia soil mix.

Without the right soil, your Peperomia will struggle. Many problems, including root rot and stunted growth, can be avoided by providing the right soil for your plant. 

The problem is, choosing soil can seem complicated. Can you buy soil specifically made for Peperomia? If you create your own mix, what ingredients must you include? 

The good news is that getting your Peperomias soil right doesn’t have to be complicated. You simply need to know the type of soil the plant needs, and how to create it. 

Peperomia Soil Needs 

Your Peperomia needs the right soil for proper growth and health. There are a few factors to consider when choosing or creating a soil mix. These include aeration, drainage, ph level, and nutrient content. 

Aeration 

Aeration essentially allows your plant to breathe. Well aerated soil is loosely packed and provides plenty of tiny gaps in the soil. The Peperomias roots need aeration to take in Co2 and release oxygen. 

If the soil isn’t aerated, you may have problems with waterlogging, root, and pest infestations.

It can also inhibit your plant’s growth because the roots can’t develop properly. Well aerated soil provides your plant with room to grow. The delicate roots will struggle when pushing against tightly compacted soil. 

In human terms, aerated soil is similar to moving around inside a bubble. The barrier is there, but you have freedom of movement because there’s not a lot of resistance. 

Now, imagine yourself against a brick wall. The wall offers too much resistance, impairing your ability to move. 

To aerate the soil, you can add perlite. 

Drainage 

Aeration goes hand in hand with drainage, but they aren’t exactly the same. Well draining soil will allow water to move through it.

Some plants do well with constant moisture. These plants need soil that retains water. Peperomia is on the opposite side of the spectrum. It needs a cycle of water and then drying. 

When the soil is well-draining, water will eventually make its way through the soil. The soil will then become dry. Once it dries out, you water it again, repeating the cycle. 

You’ll need a pot with drainage holes, but you’ll also need well-draining soil for your Peperomia.  Perlite, bark and coarse sand can be added to ensure proper drainage. 

Ph Level 

Some plants thrive in acidic soil, while others prefer an alkaline environment. Other plants, including the Peperomia, are in the middle.

It will thrive in slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soil or neutral soil. You’ll want to aim for a ph between 6.0-7.0. 

A Ph level that is too high or too low can cause stunted growth, bacteria growth, and poor nutrition. 

Highly acidic soil typically includes a lot of lime. Highly alkaline soil contains high amounts of sodium, calcium, and magnesium. 

Nutrition 

Plants get their energy through the process of photosynthesis, which allows them to convert sunlight and water into fuel. However, they also require certain nutrients in the soil. 

You can think of fertilizer as vitamins for your plant. They aren’t the plant’s main source of nutrition, but they are still important for healthy growth. 

Both under and over-fertilizing can cause problems for your  Peperomia, so its important to use the right amount of the correct nutrients. 

Fertilizers are listed by their percentage of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous, or NPK. The remaining percentage is micronutrients that are also important for your plant’s growth. 

Peperomias do well with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. They generally only require fertilizing once a month. 

A peperomia plant

Signs You Are Using the Wrong Soil 

Before we get into the soil that you should be using for your Peperomia, it’s important to know the signs you are using the wrong soil. If you notice these signs, consider reporting your plant using new soil. 

Dense or Compacted Soil 

When you look at the soil, you can’t see past the first layer. How do you know if it’s too dense or compacted at the root level? All you need is a small stick. 

Poke the stick into the soil, pushing it all the way to the bottom of the pot. Ideally, it will slide through the soil easily. If it doesn’t go through the soil, or you hit a layer with lots of resistance, the soil is too compact. 

Water Logging

We know Peperomia needs well-draining soil that dries out over time. If you haven’t watered your plant in a week or two, but the soil is still wet, it’s not draining properly. 

This puts your Peperomia at risk of root rot, a common issue that can affect many other types of plants such as Calatheas and Majesty Palms.

The easiest way to determine if the soil is still moist is to insert your finger into the soil. If dirt sticks to your finger, the soil is moist. You can also use a soil meter for precise measurement, but the finger test can tell you what you really need to know. 

Drooping or Curling Leaves 

We often look at the eyes of our loved ones to determine if they are healthy or sick. They are like a window into your overall health status. 

The leaves of your Peperomia can give you a similar indication. Drooping or curling leaves are a sign that your plant isn’t healthy. They may also turn yellow. 

This can occur if the soil drains too well, causing dehydration. It can also occur if the soil is waterlogged, leading to root rot. In either case, changing the soil is part of the solution. 

Stunted Growth or Wilting 

If your Peperomia stops growing, the problem might be your soil. Lack of growth is often caused by root rot, which can be caused by poorly draining soil.

The plant may also droop or wilt because it doesn’t have proper water pressure due to root damage. 

Smelly Soil 

Advanced root rot will cause the soil to smell. This is typically a sewer or rotten egg smell. It’s caused by the bacteria that cause root rot, and the roots breaking down. 

Fungi or Pests

The fungus gnat is most at home in waterlogged soil. Unfortunately, the pest will eat the roots of your Peperomia, which can quickly be fatal for the plant. 

Wet soil can also breed fungus, with Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp being common culprits. These fungi will lead to root rot, and plant death if not treated. 

Using Ready-Made Potting Soil 

The Peperomia typically does OK in a standard indoor potting mix. Be sure that the mix is well-draining. Look for perlite or coconut coir in the ingredients list to ensure that the soil will be light enough. 

Another option is to purchase an orchid mix. Orchid soils are light and drain well, making them a smart choice if you don’t want to create your own mix. 

However, your Peperomia will likely be happier in a potting mix designed especially for them, and the simplest recipe only calls for two ingredients. 

Creating a Potting Soil Mix for Peperomia

When it comes to creating a potting soil mix for your Peperomia, there are several options. We’ll take a look at a few different recipes that meet the Peperomias soil requirements, starting with the simplest. 

Potting Soil and Orchid Bark

The simplest recipe for Peperomia soil is potting soil and orchid bark in equal parts.

You’ll need:

  • 50% Potting soil
  • 50% Orchid bark

Potting soil offers the plant nutrients it needs. It also retains moisture while allowing for drainage. 

Orchid bark’s coarse texture and chunky size make it a great way to aerate the soil. It prevents compaction and allows proper water drainage. 

Alternative Potting Soil Mix

This recipe also uses potting soil, along with two other ingredients.

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

  • 30% Potting soil
  • 30% Peat moss
  • 40% Vermiculite

The potting soil provides a stable growing medium and rich nutrition, making it a good starting point for Peperomia soil.

Peat moss stabilizes the pH of the soil. It retains water and distributes it as needed. This can prevent waterlogging, while still giving your Peperomia adequate hydration. 

Vermiculite is a type of mineral produced by high heat. It provides aeration for the soil and prevents compaction. It also stores water and nutrients to release to the plant when needed. 

Best Soil Mix for Peperomia

If you want the best soil mix for your Peperomia, it requires a bit more effort. 

You’ll combine:

  • 25% Orchid bark 
  • 20% Coconut coir
  • 25% Perlite
  • 10% Activated charcoal
  • 10% worm castings

Orchid bark has a coarse texture and chunky shape that is similar to what the Peperonia would experience in the wild. 

Coconut coir is a fiber from the coconut plant. It is excellent for retaining moisture, while still allowing proper drainage. Coconut coir and peat moss are similar, but coconut coir is considered the preferable choice for most plants. 

Perlite is a volcanic glass in the form of small white beads. It’s used in many potting soil mixes. It aids in aeration and prevents soil compaction. Its form and function is similar to vermiculite

However, perlite allows for more aeration and water drainage than vermiculite

Worm castings are a great natural fertilizer. It provides gently balanced fertilization and keeps the pH of the soil neutral. 

Activated charcoal is a natural fungicide and insect repellant. It also absorbs excess moisture, which makes over watering less likely. 

Final Thoughts on Peperomia Soil 

The soil you use for your Peperomia matters. Creating your own mix can be a bit of work, but it’s well worth the effort. It’s also typically less expensive than buying specialized soil mixes, especially if you have more than a few plants. 

When creating a soil mix for your Peperomia, you’ll want to keep the soil light, aerated, and well-drained. Regardless of which recipe you choose, your Peperomia will thank you.

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About Me

Hi, I'm Joe! I'm the head of SEO and content management at Bloom and Bumble. I'm a huge plant lover and over the years my home has become more like an indoor rainforest. It has taken a lot of trial and error to keep my plants healthy and so I'm here to share my knowledge to the rest of the world.

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