The Peperomia graveolens ruby glow is a small, fun-looking succulent. The striking red and green v-shaped succulent leaves store water inside, making them drought-tolerant and very easy to care for.
Just make sure to give your ruby glow plant plenty of light and don’t water too often!
This plant care guide has all the tips on watering, light, humidity, propagation, and more, so you can grow this Peperomia plant successfully in your home!
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Peperomia Graveolens Ruby Glow Care
The Peperomia graveolens is a small succulent plant native to southern Ecuador where it grows on dry, rocky hillsides.
It grows like a shrub with new branches coming from the main stem. The underside of the leaves is ruby red contrasting beautifully with the green, slightly transparent top sides. Those top “windows” help the plant take in more light.
Need a succulent plant care refresher? Check out the Beginners Guide to Succulent Care. It has all you need to know to take care of indoor succulents.
Light Requirements
The ruby glow peperomia requires bright, indirect light to grow indoors. It’s best to place it near a window with several hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily.
Keep out of too much direct light. Dry, brown spots on the leaves can be a sign of sunburn. These marks can not be fixed. Protect your plant from direct sun with a sheer curtain.
Low light will make the leaves of the peperomia graveolens lose color and become duller looking.
The brighter the light conditions, the more pronounced the red color on the leaves will be.
If your peperomia graveolens is growing tall and leggy, it is seeking and stretching for more light. To stop the leggy growth, move the plant closer to a window. Supplement with a grow light if your home doesn’t receive enough natural light.
Read more: Do succulents need sun?
Watering
Since the Ruby Peperomia stores water in its leaves, it is very drought-resistant.
Indoors, allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. When you do water, be generous. This is called the soak-and-dry method. Saturate the soil, then let it dry out before watering again.
Only water your Ruby glow like this in spring and summer. Slow down watering in fall and water very sparingly in winter.
The leaves should feel firm. The first signs of an underwatered peperomia graveolens are soft, wrinkled leaves. Dehydrated leaves shrivel and the v-shaped leaves will close. Give your plant a good drink and the leaves will open again.
At the same time, be careful not to water too often. Overwatering is the most common problem with these plants and can lead to root rot.
Signs of overwatered Ruby glow peperomias are soft and mushy leaves, looking translucent yellow before turning brown or black and falling off.
If in doubt, don’t water yet. Underwatering is easier to fix than overwatering. If you are uncertain, you can use a moisture meter to help you out with when to water.
Read more: How often to water succulents.
Fertilizing
Use a diluted liquid succulent fertilizer to feed your Peperomia graveolens once a month in spring and summer.
Be sure the soil is damp before fertilizing and don’t fertilize in winter when growth slows down.
Also never fertilize if your plant is recently repotted or is having problems. Fertilizer gives your plant a boost of nutrients when it is actively growing. It is not plant medicine.
Newly bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be fertilized for at least the first 4-6 months. The potting mix usually already has slow-release fertilizer in it.
Humidity
The Peperomia Graveolens thrives in warm temperatures and is not very needy regarding humidity.
They prefer medium to high humidity levels but can grow in lower humidity conditions. No real need for misting or using a humidifier to raise the humidity.
Peperomia Graveolens Propagation
The easiest way to propagate Peperomia Graveolens is by taking stem cuttings and rooting them in water or soil.
Before you do anything, let the cutting dry out for a few days. This will give the cut surface time to callous over.
To propagate the cutting in water, put it in a glass or jar with a bit of water and place it in bright, indirect light. Change the water regularly and wait for roots to grow to about 1-2 inches long before potting up in soil.
To propagate in soil, place the calloused cuttings in a small pot with well-draining soil. Keep in bright, indirect light. Mist or water very sparingly until you see new growth.
Want to learn more about propagation? Read the complete guide to succulent propagation and get all the details on the 6 different ways to propagate your plants.
Flowers on a Ruby Glow Peperomia
Mature indoor peperomia graveolens plants can flower when their overall care and conditions are right. Don’t worry if your plant doesn’t grow flowers. Many indoor peperomias don’t bloom. If they do, it is usually in spring or early summer.
The flowers are not very showy. They are very similar to the flowers of other peperomia plants like the Caperata, Argyreia, or Peperomia Obtusifolia. Long, upright growing stems, covered with tiny pale yellow flowers at the ends.
You can remove the flower spikes when they are done flowering. Or let them naturally fall off as they finish blooming.
The word “graveolens” means strong, foul-smelling and this Peperomia is named like that for the unpleasant smell of the flowers. They have an odor like faint urine or burnt popcorn. Luckily, it won’t smell up the entire room, you have to be really near the plant to be able to notice it.
Pests
The Peperomia Graveolens Ruby Glow is not prone to pests, but like any plant, it can occasionally be affected.
The most common pest on indoor Peperomia Graveolens are mealybugs. Inspect your plant regularly. These small white bugs like to hide in between the leaves.
Use a cotton bud and gently reach in between the leaves to soak the mealy bugs in alcohol.
Read more: Identify Common Houseplant Pests and How to Get Rid of The Bugs
Is the Peperomia Graveolens Toxic to Cats?
The Peperomia graveolens ruby glow plant is considered non-toxic. It is safe to grow at home around your cats or dogs.
