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<channel><title><![CDATA[CARONDELET GARDEN - Houseplants]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.carondeletgarden.com/houseplants]]></link><description><![CDATA[Houseplants]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 18:50:01 -0700</pubDate><generator>Weebly</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Pilea 'Moon Valley' Pilea involucrata (Friendship Plant)]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.carondeletgarden.com/houseplants/pilea-moon-valley-pilea-involucrata-friendship-plant]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.carondeletgarden.com/houseplants/pilea-moon-valley-pilea-involucrata-friendship-plant#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2024 12:50:40 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.carondeletgarden.com/houseplants/pilea-moon-valley-pilea-involucrata-friendship-plant</guid><description><![CDATA[       The&nbsp;Moon Valley Pilea&nbsp; is a delightful indoor plant with deep-textured leaves resembling the moon&rsquo;s surface. Here&rsquo;s how to care for it:Soil: Use a rich, well-draining soil mix.&nbsp;A combination of regular potting soil and succulent soil works well.Light: Provide moderate to bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can damage the leaves.&nbsp;Place it near a window but not directly under the sun.Watering: Water weekly, allowing the soil to dry out between [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.carondeletgarden.com/uploads/1/3/8/4/138458517/pilea-moon-valley_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">The&nbsp;<strong>Moon Valley Pilea</strong>&nbsp; is a delightful indoor plant with deep-textured leaves resembling the moon&rsquo;s surface. Here&rsquo;s how to care for it:<ol><li><strong>Soil</strong>: Use a rich, well-draining soil mix.&nbsp;A combination of regular potting soil and succulent soil works well.</li><li><strong>Light</strong>: Provide moderate to bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can damage the leaves.&nbsp;Place it near a window but not directly under the sun.</li><li><strong>Watering</strong>: Water weekly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.&nbsp;Aim for even moisture without overwatering.</li><li><strong>Temperature</strong>: Maintain a temperature range of 68-85&deg;F (20-29&deg;C)<a href="https://plantophiles.com/plant-care/moon-valley-pilea-care/" target="_blank">1</a>.</li><li><strong>Humidity</strong>: Aim for humidity above 50%.&nbsp;The Moon Valley Pilea tolerates average home humidity but prefers higher levels.</li><li><strong>Fertilization</strong>: Fertilize once a month using a water-soluble fertilize<a href="https://plantophiles.com/plant-care/moon-valley-pilea-care/" target="_blank">1</a>.</li></ol> Remember, this plant is also known as the &ldquo;Friendship Plant.&rdquo; Share cuttings with friends and family to symbolize growing your friendship along with the plant!</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.carondeletgarden.com/houseplants/baby-rubber-plant-peperomia-obtusifolia]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.carondeletgarden.com/houseplants/baby-rubber-plant-peperomia-obtusifolia#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 26 Jan 2024 21:35:06 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.carondeletgarden.com/houseplants/baby-rubber-plant-peperomia-obtusifolia</guid><description><![CDATA[       Looking for a compact, low-maintenance, tropical-looking houseplant? You can't go wrong with the baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia). This humidity-loving,&nbsp;pet-friendly plant&nbsp;is typically&nbsp;grown indoors.Despite its common name, this epiphytic species isn't related to the&nbsp;rubber plant&nbsp;(Ficus elastica), but instead is part of the large&nbsp;Peperomia genus, and the epithet&nbsp;obtusifolia&nbsp;means "blunt-leaved".It's all about the foliage with the baby rubbe [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.carondeletgarden.com/uploads/1/3/8/4/138458517/baby-rubber-plant_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph"><br />Looking for a compact, low-maintenance, tropical-looking houseplant? You can't go wrong with the baby rubber plant (<em>Peperomia obtusifolia)</em>. This humidity-loving,&nbsp;pet-friendly plant&nbsp;is typically&nbsp;grown indoors.<br /><br />Despite its common name, this epiphytic species isn't related to the&nbsp;rubber plant&nbsp;(<em>Ficus elastica</em>), but instead is part of the large&nbsp;Peperomia genus, and the epithet&nbsp;<em>obtusifolia</em>&nbsp;means "blunt-leaved".<br />It's all about the foliage with the baby rubber plant. It does bloom occasionally, but the small-white green flowers aren't showy. The glossy, spoon-shaped, fleshy, succulent-like leaves are usually dark green, but you can also find cultivars with white and green marble-like variegation. Over time, the upright stems of these plants can develop a trailing habit, and the epiphytic roots cling well to surfaces, making them ideal for use in hanging baskets or on shelves.<br /><br /><span><strong><font size="5">Peperomia Obtusifolia Care</font></strong></span><br />This South American native grows in tropical rainforest areas in its natural habitat, so it prefers a spot in your home where it's humid and the light is bright but indirect. Other than this, it's a fairly forgiving species that's not bothered by many pests or diseases and is a good choice as a&nbsp;beginner's houseplant.<br /><br /><span><strong>Light</strong><br /></span>Keep your&nbsp;<em>Peperomia obtusifolia</em>&nbsp;out of prolonged, intense sunlight. The foliage can burn and, if you have a variegated cultivar, the unique coloration will start to fade. A partial shade position in a south, east or west-facing window which doesn't have too much direct afternoon sun usually works well.<br />&#8203;<br />&#8203;Non-variegated cultivars can handle low light conditions, but a bit of bright, early morning sun promotes growth and is ideal for maximizing leaf patternation on&nbsp;variegated foliage.<br /><span><br /><strong>Soil</strong><br /></span>Baby rubber plants might thrive in moist conditions, but these epiphytic species don't like to have wet feet, which leads to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thespruce.com/treat-root-rot-houseplants-5223283">root rot</a>. This means whatever medium you put them in needs to be well-drained. They aren't too fussy about type but do best in a loose, fertile potting mix. A mix of 2 parts peat and 1 part perlite or sand will do the job.<br /><br /><span><strong>Water</strong><br /></span>If anything, it's best to under rather than overwater this species. They don't tolerate sitting in standing water. Moderate watering during the growing season (around every 1 to 2 weeks) is usually sufficient. Allow the potting mix to dry out on the top few inches before rewatering.<br /><br />During the winter, you can let the soil dry out more between waterings. However, while the leaves do hold moisture and the plant does have a level of drought tolerance, don't frequently leave your baby rubber plant dry for long periods as this will affect growth and the foliage won't be so healthy.<br /><br /><span><strong>Temperature and Humidity</strong><br /></span><em>Peperomia obtusifolia</em>&nbsp;is the perfect&nbsp;plant for a bright, steamy bathroom. They thrive in temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit&mdash;if your house regularly dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, this isn't the plant for you.<br /><br />Keep your baby rubber plant away from blasting heating or AC units and draughty windows too. If you don't have your humidity-loving plant in a steamy bathroom, consider misting the leaves and using a pebble tray with water under the plant, especially during their active growth period in the summer.<br /><br /><span><strong>Fertilizer</strong><br /></span>With their small, epiphytic roots,&nbsp;<em>Peperomia obtusifolia</em>&nbsp;aren't heavy feeders. However, a dose of diluted all-purpose liquid fertilizer once or twice a month during the growing season can help encourage healthy foliage growth.</div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>