Peperomia lilian is an evergreen potted plant with original spike-shaped inflorescences. Perennial has a very attractive appearance, so they are often decorated with window and balcony openings, rooms, workrooms or offices. The recommendations from our article will help you to maintain and even breed this charming plant in your own apartment without any extra problems.

Plant description

Peperomia lillian (or shriveled) is a compact herbaceous shrub. A mature bush does not grow above 32 cm. The shoots are quite strong. The leaves are fleshy, glossy, rounded (to be more precise - heart-shaped), a saturated green shade on the upper side and lighter on the reverse.

The inflorescences are oblong cob-shaped, towering above the foliage. Snow-white flowers are placed on pinkish pedicels. This perennial got its name precisely thanks to a peculiar form of inflorescence, similar to lily flowers.

Did you know? The deepest roots are found in wild ficus from South Africa. The record length of the rhizome reached 120 meters.

The flower is also famous for its beneficial properties, of which there are many. A comfortable atmosphere is created in the dwelling where he settles, positive energy is restored. A beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract is also noted.The plant is recommended for maintenance in children's rooms, school classes, kindergartens and other institutions for children. The fact is that this shrub is able to fight colds. Phytoncides secreted by its leaves kill pathogenic microorganisms.

Features of the care for peperomia lilian at home

Knowledge of the intricacies of caring for the presented indoor flower is necessary if you decide to cultivate it. How comfortable the microclimatic environment will be will affect the aesthetics of the bush and its health. First of all, when caring for wrinkled peperomia, its tropical origin must be taken into account. This culture does not tolerate both dry and waterlogged soil. Dry air is also harmful.

Florists note the unpretentiousness of the plant. However, it also has a significant minus - the bush is growing slowly. If you notice that the development has slowed too much, look at the bottom of the flowerpot for roots from the drainage. Peperomia can bloom in the summer. To achieve flowering of the bush, it is necessary to provide favorable conditions for it - a short daylight hours, abundant soil moisture and frequent spraying.

House growing conditions

Before you bring peperomia to your home, check out the tips for growing it from professional flower growers.

Lighting and ventilation

The culture should not be exposed to direct sunlight, so the best location for it is the window sills in the eastern and western rooms. If the window faces south, peperomia should be shaded or moved to the back of the room.

In winter, you can not do without sources of artificial lighting. Electric lamps will extend the daylight hours. In addition, in the winter months, lillian peperomia must be protected from through winds. However, in the summer the pot can be taken out to fresh air. After dusk, bring it into the house, as nightly low temperatures and a cool wind can harm the flower.

Temperature and humidity

Optimum temperature indicators range from +16 to + 18 ° C. The main thing is that the temperature does not rise above 25 degrees above zero. To ensure that the plant always looks well-groomed and healthy, it is important to guarantee it a moisture content of at least 35%. In the summer months, periodically spray distilled water onto the crown. To prevent dust from accumulating on the vegetative organs, wipe the leaves from time to time with a damp sponge.

Did you know? The fastest growing plant on the planet is bamboo. During the day, it increases in height by 0.75–0.9 m.

Home Care

Caring for potted peperomia does not require complicated procedures. It is enough to take care of the correct regime of watering, top dressing, and also periodically form and transplant the bush.

Watering

In summer, watering should be moderate, and in winter extremely rare (the next moistening of the soil is carried out only when it dries well). Use settled, soft water, the temperature of which is several degrees higher than indoors. Pour water from above from a vessel with a long spout, being careful not to splatter the leaves.

Top dressing

In the phase of active vegetative growth, fertilize peperomy wrinkled once every two weeks. In the winter months, reduce the procedure to once a month. Fertilizer for this culture can be universal liquid top dressing (marked for indoor plants).

Pruning

Pruning makes it possible to freshen up the bush and acquire a more aesthetic appearance. The procedure in the long term will add density to the crown. Since adult specimens are difficult to tolerate pruning, it is desirable to form a crown at the age of 2-3 years. Before shaping, carefully inspect the bush, then use sharp scissors to cut weak branches. Florists recommend when pruning sometimes get rid of inflorescences. The purpose of the operation is to preserve the forces of peperomia.

Transfer

The transplantation of lillian peperomia is carried out in early spring by transhipment method. A young plant (under the age of 3 years) is moved to a new pot every year, then - every 2 years or even less, as needed. Peperomia loves loose, neutral or slightly acidic soil.

The most optimal mixture of sand, peat and sheet land in equal quantities. It is advisable to pre-calcine or steam the soil to destroy fungal infections and parasites. Each time when transplanting, take a pot with a diameter of 2 cm larger than the previous one, and a little deeper.

Important! After the transplant, do not feed the shrubs throughout the growing season until next spring.

Define a flower in a new pot according to the following pattern:

1. At the bottom of the pot, lay a 6-cm layer of drainage (expanded clay, broken brick, egg shells).
2. Carefully remove the bush from the old pot with a lump of earth.
3. Shake the entire substrate from the rhizome, then rinse the roots carefully, being careful not to harm them.
4. Pour water evenly into a new pot with fresh soil, thus moistening the soil.
5. Put the bush in the center, spreading the roots and sprinkling them with earth. Tamping the earth is not worth it. Instead, moisturize it. Wait until it settles, add a new portion of the earth. Drain the water from the sump.

Breeding

Reproduction of peperomia wrinkled possibly by leaf, stem and leaf cuttings, as well as seeds.

Leaf

Prepare a mixture of sand and peat in equal proportions. Place a healthy sheet in it without damage. Cover with a glass top. With this method, rooting is much faster than when propagated by chubuki. After 12 days, the first roots will form, and by the 25th day a complete rooting will take place.

Cuttings

To propagate peperomia with stem cuttings, in the spring or summer, pinch its crown. To root the petioles, it is better to use a special container-greenhouse. Plant the stalk in a soil mixture of peat, sand and deciduous humus. The whole process will take at least three weeks. Transplant the rooted chubuk into a small flowerpot.

Leaf petiole propagation is a fairly simple method that is worth paying attention to. Your task is to plant a leaf with a short cut (with 1-3 knots) in wet sand. For the rest, repeat the same steps as for propagation by stem chubks. In addition, try to maintain high humidity in the room.

Seeds

Reproduction by seeds is a rather time-consuming method, suitable for experienced gardeners. Under indoor conditions, the culture practically does not produce seeds; they will have to be bought. Scatter the seed you purchased on the surface of loose soil, then cover the container with seedlings with glass.

Important! Water seedlings only through a tea strainer, as a large stream of water can stop the growth of peperomia.

In anticipation of seedlings, it is important to maintain the temperature within +23 ... + 24 ° С and air humidity not lower than 35%. When the young bushes reach phase 2 of these leaves, you can begin to pick. After strengthening, you can plant seedlings in separate flowerpots.

Plant pests and diseases

Peperomia lillian is susceptible to attacks by spider mites, thrips, mealybug and nematodes. Use insecticides such as Decis, Fitoverm or Actellik to control these harmful insects. Wipe the affected areas with a cloth dampened in an insecticide or spray the crown with the same composition.

In order to avoid the transfer of parasites to other flowers, the affected bush must be rearranged away from healthy ones. And the place where it stood, treat with a disinfectant. Prevention of infection with parasites can serve as a regular spraying of a flower with water. Culture can become infected with a dwarf virus. To prevent the transmission of the virus from patients to healthy specimens, settle the bushes in different rooms.

What improper care can lead to

If the conditions for keeping peperomia shriveled are violated, the following problems may occur:

• drying out, and then falling leaves as a result of a violated temperature and insufficient watering;
• softening of shoots, as well as lethargy, blackening and falling of leaves as a result of waterlogging;
• yellowness and rusty spots on the leaves, manifested by an excess of nutrients.

We hope that care for the lillian peperomia will not be difficult for you. Providing proper care, you will achieve a magnificent, attractive and healthy appearance of the culture.