Raindrop Peperomia (scientific name peperomia polybotrya) is an easy-to-care-for houseplant with cute leaves shaped like water or rain droplets. Also known as the coin plant or coin-leaf peperomia, this plant is sometimes mistaken for the popular Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomia). Not only are the leaves shaped like a water droplet, they are designed to store water, hence their thickness.
Native to South America’s tropical regions, this plant grows on the jungle floor. In the home, it enjoys similar conditions: bright filtered light and moderate temperatures with high humidity.
Like a succulent, the Peperomia Polybotrya stores water in the leaves. Overwatering is easy, so err on the side of underwatering. Peperomia polybotrya’s leaf size, the intensity of green, and overall size can vary depending on the conditions they are grown in.
These plants only get about 12-15 inches tall and will sometimes reward you with tiny but fragrant blooms that look like the tail of a mouse. The flowers only last a couple of weeks, and you’ll need to trim them immediately, or they will rot.
So, how do you take care of Raindrop Peperomia?
Raindrop Peperomia Care
Here are the basics of Peperomia Raindrop care, which we will detail.
- Soil: Well-aerated and well-draining
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Allow soil to dry completely before watering again
- Humidity: High humidity
- Pruning: To control legginess and encourage new growth
- Where to buy: Available on Amazon and Etsy
Raindrop Peperomia Soil
The best soil for Raindrop Peperomia is a fast-draining soil mixture. To make your mix, use 50% perlite and 50% peat moss. African Violet soil is a great option and can easily be found in plant supply stores.
Peperomia polybotrya will grow in leca, which is a straightforward way to grow them. You can get away without using any fertilizer, too.
You could also use cactus and succulent soil for P. peperomioides. You may want to add a bit of peat moss or coconut coir to improve moisture retention.
Watering a Raindrop Peperomia
Raindrop Peperomia is easily overwatered because its thick leaves are designed to store moisture. Overwatering is a big no no. Let the soil dry before watering. If unsure, stick your finger in the soil and make sure the top 1-2 inches are dry.
You’ll probably want to water your peperomia polybotrya once a week during the spring and summer. In the winter, water about every ten days. Each time you water, soak the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the bottom of the pot.
Never let your plant sit in water or you will increase chances of root rot. Signs of overwatering include rotting stalks, yellowing or wilting leaves, and waterlogged soil.
Most Peperomia plants will tell you when they need water – their leaves start to droop, and the stalks become limp. With good watering, your plant will generally bounce back.
The peperomia polybotrya is quite hardy when it comes to watering and what the plant can handle. The succulent-like stems and leaves store water, allowing the plant to tolerate drought. Because it’s hard to mess up the watering schedule, peperomia polybotrya is a great beginner plant.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your peperomia raindrop once a month during the growing season. In winter, you should not fertilize.
Use an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer throughout the growing season, but don’t fertilize during the winter when growth either slows down or stops.
Sun/Light Requirements
How much light does Raindrop Peperomia need?
One great thing about this plant is that it tolerates low light. This is a big reason why it is so easy to grow. Its deep green and broad leaves can really catch any available light, so it doesn’t need much.
Avoid placement in direct sun as it can burn the leaves. Bright indirect light is best.
You can always look into grow lights if you live in a very dark place. You will know if your raindrop plant is not getting enough light. It will start stretching toward the light and become leggy.
Humidity
Because it is native to rainforests, Raindrop Peperomia prefers to be in an environment with high humidity. However, peperomia polybotrya will tolerate the lower humidity of an average household well. This plant will thrive in an environment with over 60% humidity.
The easiest way to add humidity around your plant is with a plant humidifier. We have two detailed articles about humidifiers for plants:
Pro Tip: An inexpensive hygrometer is a wise investment in testing the humidity level in your home and adjusting it accordingly for your plants.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for this plant is 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your plant away from cold drafts, as the cold air can damage your plant. Keep away from cold windows in winter.
Peperomia polybotrya can also be grown outdoors; the care is similar in indoor and outdoor environments.
If you choose to have this plant outside, a bright but shady location works well (receiving 3 hours or less of direct sunlight).
Be careful that your Peperomia Polybotrya is not getting all-day direct sunlight and that it is brought inside if the temperature drops too low (below 50°F).
Pruning
Suppose your peperomia polybotrya is growing in an irregular shape. In that case, it is probably from a lack of light or forgetting to rotate your plant regularly, causing growth to be one-sided. The good news is you can prune your plant to a more desired, compact shape.
If you need to prune it, use clean shears and follow the propagating steps.
- Do not be afraid to prune your plant. The Raindrop Plant can tolerate heavy pruning, promoting new growth.
- Check the underside of your plant’s leaves to look for diseases or pests. While you are at it, clean the leaves too! Cleaning the leaves helps the plant take in more light and photosynthesize better.
- Clean the peperomia raindrop leaves by wiping them (carefully) with a damp cloth.
- When pruning, find where you want to cut, and then find a node and cut ABOVE.
The node is where leaves and roots grow out of the stem. Nodes are where new growth comes from. Cutting above means the node will still be ON the main plant when you cut—it will NOT be on the piece that gets cut off the plant.
- When you cut above the node, your plant will push out new growth from that node, so you can imagine how pruning your plant like this will cause fuller, bushier growth!
Size and Growth of Raindrop Peperomia
The maximum size for the peperomia polybotrya is 12-15 inches tall. The small height makes the plant ideal for balconies, containers, and compact indoor spaces. The rate of growth is pretty slow.
Pot
Ensure your pot has a drainage hole; always allow excess water to drain away. Never let your plant sit in water, or you will increase the chances of your plant rotting.
These clear pots with drainage holes are super cool and allow you to see what’s happening in the soil.
When Should I Repot Peperomia Polybotrya?
Compared to other indoor house plants, Raindrop Peperomia’s roots are relatively weak, or they aren’t very deep and entrenched. When transplanting the plant, the fragile root system of the plant could give in, causing damage to the plant in the process. It would be best if you only repotted your Raindrop Plant when necessary.
This doesn’t mean repotting is not possible. You can undoubtedly change pots, but you need to be extremely careful when doing so.
How to Repot Raindrop Peperomia
The root system of the Peperomia polybotrya raindrop can be fragile and shallow during its first few years. When repotting:
- Carefully loosen the soil around the roots.
- If repotting to a larger pot, choose one that is at least 2 inches larger than your current pot.
- Do not press the soil too much when putting placing your plant in the new pot.
- Gently press down the soil until the stems are no longer wobbly.
Propagating Your Raindrop Peperomia
Spring is a great time to propagate your plant and the chances of success are higher. Try to avoid propagation during the winter. To propagate your peperomia polybotrya, you can use either leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.
- Cut off a healthy leaf or stem/leaf combo with sterilized shears. If propagating with a leaf, cut the leaf in half.
- Put rooting powder on the leaf edges or stem base to encourage root growth.
- Fill a tray or small pot with the same soil mix used on the mother plant. Make a small trench in the soil and set the leaf or stem cutting in the trench.
- Pat the soil down and water the cutting.
- For best results, cover your cutting with another clear plastic tray, saran wrap, or a plastic bag to create a humid environment. Uncover every few days, so you don’t get a fungus from too much humidity.
- Once you can see that multiple leaves have developed, move your cutting to its more permanent home. Since Raindrop Plants have such shallow root systems, make sure enough roots have developed before moving the plant.
Read Our Complete Guide to Propagating Raindrop Peperomia
Raindrop Peperomia Common Problems
Pests
The most common infestations the Peperomia polybotrya raindrop get are red spider mites and mealy bugs. These will suck the sap of the leaves and cause them to develop yellow pots or to fall off. Keep your plant’s leaves clean to help prevent pests. If you still notice an issue, use neem oil.
FAQs: Peperomia Polybotrya
Is Raindrop Peperomia Safe for Cats?
The ASPCA considers peperomias to be nontoxic and a cat-friendly plant. The leaves do taste bad, but they are certainly not hazardous. Therefore, do not worry about your pets nibbling on the plant’s leaves accidentally or out of curiosity.
Even if the plant is nontoxic, your child or pet can have an allergy or sensitivity to a part of a plant.
Is Raindrop Peperomia rare?
Raindrop Peperomia is easily available on Amazon and Etsy and may even be found at your local big box store. This plant is not rare.
Is a peperomia polybotrya a succulent?
Peperomia plants are small plants which are similar to hoyas in their care. Both are succulent like with fleshy leaves and stems. They are not, however, a succulent. They are only like succulent.
Plants Similar to Raindrop Peperomia
Raindrop Peperomia vs. Pilea (Chinese Money Plant)
Peperomia polybotrya, or the Raindrop Peperomia, looks a lot like the wildly popular Pilea peperomioides or Chinese money plant. They’re not the same, though, as they naturally hail from completely different parts of the world.
- The Raindrop has round foliage that comes to a point (remember, the raindrop shape), while the Pilea has evenly round foliage.
- The Raindrop’s leaves typically grow larger.
- The Pilea has a central woody “trunk,” while the Raindrop has thick, fleshy stems that store water, which is typical for Peperomias.
- Pilea Peperomioides is in the genus Pilea, while Peperomia Raindrop is part of the Peperomia genus. They are not in the same family (Pilea – Urticaceae, Peperomia – Piperaceae).
Where to Buy Raindrop Peperomia Plant
Shop peperomia polybotrya on Amazon and Etsy.
Final Thoughts on Peperomia polybotrya raindrop
If you’re looking for a cheery indoor plant that will add a bright spot to your home decor, this is it! Some items we discussed that will help you with Raindrop Peperomia plant care to keep it growing strong:
Good luck growing your Raindrop plant and making it part of your cozy, fresh, and green home!