Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)

Looking for a compact, low-maintenance, tropical-looking houseplant? You can't go wrong with the baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia). This humidity-loving, pet-friendly plant is typically grown indoors.

Despite its common name, this epiphytic species isn't related to the rubber plant (Ficus elastica), but instead is part of the large Peperomia genus, and the epithet obtusifolia means "blunt-leaved".
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.

Peperomia Obtusifolia Care
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 beginner's houseplant.

Light
Keep your Peperomia obtusifolia 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.
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​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 variegated foliage.

Soil
Baby rubber plants might thrive in moist conditions, but these epiphytic species don't like to have wet feet, which leads to root rot. 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.

Water
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.

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.

Temperature and Humidity
Peperomia obtusifolia is the perfect plant for a bright, steamy bathroom. They thrive in temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit—if your house regularly dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, this isn't the plant for you.

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.

Fertilizer
With their small, epiphytic roots, Peperomia obtusifolia 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.