Watermelon Peperomia is a low-maintenance houseplant with attractive foliage that looks like watermelon rind. It’s a popular plant among gardeners and indoor plant enthusiasts because of its unique and eye-catching appearance. If you want to grow your own Watermelon Peperomia, you’ll need to know how to store, sow, and germinate the seeds properly. In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps to do just that.
Before you can sow your Watermelon Peperomia seeds, you need to store them properly. Here’s how:
Wait for the right time – The best time to harvest Watermelon Peperomia seeds is in the fall or winter when the plant is producing flowers.
Harvest the seeds – Once the flowers have bloomed and started to dry out, use a pair of scissors to snip off the seed pods.
Dry the seeds – Place the seed pods in a paper bag and leave them in a warm, dry place for a few days until they’re completely dry.
Store the seeds – Once the seeds are dry, transfer them to a small container or envelope and store them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to sow them.
Now that you have your Watermelon Peperomia seeds ready, it’s time to sow them. Here’s how:
Choose your potting mix – Watermelon Peperomia seeds need well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. You can make your own potting mix by combining equal parts of peat moss, perlite or vermiculite, and compost.
Prepare your containers – Fill small pots or seed trays with your potting mix and water them thoroughly.
Sow the seeds – Sprinkle the Watermelon Peperomia seeds on top of the potting mix and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
Water the seeds – Use a spray bottle or watering can with a fine mist to water the seeds gently.
Cover the containers – Place clear plastic wrap over the containers to create a mini greenhouse that will help keep the soil moist and warm.
Germinate the seeds – Place the containers in a warm, bright spot, but out of direct sunlight. Watermelon Peperomia seeds usually take about two to four weeks to germinate.
Once your Watermelon Peperomia seeds have germinated, it’s time to care for them properly. Here’s how:
Remove the plastic wrap – Once your seeds have sprouted, remove the plastic wrap from the container.
Provide light – Place the containers in a bright, indirect light location to help promote healthy growth.
Water properly – Water your Watermelon Peperomia seedlings regularly but make sure not to overwater them as this can lead to root rot.
Fertilize – Once your seedlings have grown a few sets of leaves, you can start fertilizing them with a balanced fertilizer.
Transplant – When your seedlings are big enough, transplant them into larger pots or plant them outdoors in a shady spot.
Watermelon Peperomia seeds usually take about two to four weeks to germinate.
No, you don’t need to stratify Watermelon Peperomia seeds as they don’t require a cold period to germinate.
Yes, you can propagate Watermelon Peperomia by taking stem cuttings and rooting them in water or potting soil.
Watermelon Peperomia seeds need well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. You can make your own potting mix by combining equal parts of peat moss, perlite or vermiculite, and compost.
Watermelon Peperomia is a tropical plant that prefers warm, humid conditions. If you live in a warm climate, you can grow Watermelon Peperomia outdoors in a shady spot. Otherwise, it’s best grown indoors as a houseplant.