Radiator Plants are lovely houseplants grown for their highly ornamental foliage. And fortunately, there are quite a few types of this plant to choose from.
Radiator Plants are species within the botanical genus Peperomia commonly grown as houseplants. These low-maintenance tropical plants from Central/South America generally have green foliage, but some species are available with dark purple leaves or even striped or variegated foliage. These pretty houseplants grow best in warm temperatures and in well-drained soil.
Read on to learn all about Radiator Plant!
Radiator plant: The basics
Radiator Plants are popular houseplants because they are small (under 12″ tall) and easy to maintain. In addition, these plants thrive in warm areas, hence the name “Radiator,” and have a combination of succulent and tropical features. Most are native to South America or Central America, while a few species grow naturally in Africa. Many different species within the Peperomia genus are referred to as Radiator Plants.
Buying radiator plants
You can purchase a Radiator Plant at most garden stores, plant nurseries, or online plant stores. Here are some popular Radiator Plant varieties to look for:
- Peperomia ‘Frost’ Radiator Plant
- ‘Emerald Ripple’ Radiator Plant
- ‘Metallica’ Radiator Plant
Common species of radiator plants
Here are some recommended species of Radiator Plants to look for:
Peperomia metallica
Peperomia metallica, also known as Red Tree, is a variety of Radiator Plants with dark red leaves and a silver stripe in the middle.
Peperomia rotundifolia
Peperomia rotundifolia, also known as Creeping Buttons Radiator Plant, is a species of Peperomia with trailing vines and small glossy round leaves.
Peperomia obtusifolia
Peperomia obtusifolia, also known as Baby Rubber Plant, is a popular species of Radiator Plant. These succulent-like plants have thick, oval-shaped green leaves that hold water.
Peperomia caperata
Peperomia caperata is a species of Radiator Plant with thick, rubbery dark green leaves with deep ridges. Most cultivars are green (like ‘Emerald Ripple’) but there are also burgundy-red cultivars available (see photos above).
Peperomia argyreia
Peperomia argyreia, also known as Watermelon Peperomia, is a species of Radiator Plant with green and creamy white striped leaves.
Peperomia scandens
Peperomia scandens, also known as Cupid Peperomia, is a species of Radiator Plant with long green vines and heart-shaped leaves.
Peperomia incana
Peperomia incana, also known as Felted Pepperface, is a species of Radiator Plant that has thick, heart-shaped leaves covered in white fuzz.
Peperomia clusiifolia
Peperomia clusiifolia, also known as the Jellie Plant, is a species of Radiator Plant with oval-shaped leaves with dark green and light green coloring in the center and pink edges.
Peperomia glabella
Peperomia glabella, also known as Cypress Peperomia, is a species of Radiator Plant with oval-shaped green leaves.
Peperomia cubensis
Peperomia cubensis is a trailing species of Radiator Plant with oval-shaped green leaves and trailing vines.
Peperomia columella
Peperomia columella is a species of Radiator Plant with thick, neatly arranged leaves attached to a column-like stem (see photo below).
Radiator plant care guide
Radiator Plants are surprisingly easy to care for. These plants thrive in indoor conditions and can generally survive a bit of drying out between waterings if you forget.
Watering radiator plants
Radiator Plants love moist, not soggy soil. So, water your plant only when the top inch of soil becomes dry to prevent overwatering. In addition, try to avoid watering the plant’s leaves as these plants prefer to be watered at the root. This is a good plant for bottom watering. Fill the sink with a few inches of water and place the base of the planter into the sink. The water will slowly wick up into the soil through the drainage hole over an hour or two.
If you accidentally overwater your Radiator Plant, don’t water it again until the soil becomes dry to avoid root rot. If the soil is too dry and crusty, you can break it up with a chopstick or skewer before watering it.
Light requirements for radiator plants
Radiator Plants love warm air and light, hence the name. However, these plants thrive in various locations within your home as long as they aren’t in direct sunlight. For instance, you can put these plants in a bright room with plenty of indirect sunlight or in an office with no direct sunlight and only artificial light.
Surprisingly, Radiator Plants do exceptionally well with artificial light, making them perfect plants for offices and low-light rooms or bathrooms. In addition, too much light can cause foliage to burn and damage the plant.
Fertilizer for radiator plants
Radiator Plants thrive with diluted liquid fertilizer consisting of nitrogen, iron, and potassium. Feed the plants during the spring-summer-fall at the frequency recommended on the fertilizer product you choose (read the instructions!).
Remember only to fertilize the soil and not the leaves, as it can cause fertilizer burn on the leaves. Stop fertilizing in the wintertime as the plant is in semi-dormancy.
Humidity & temperature for radiator plants
Radiator Plants love being warm and prefer temperatures of 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, these plants do not like cold air and should be placed in an area that remains consistently warm with no drafts. These plants aren’t super picky about humidity levels but need some humidity to stay healthy. If you notice your plant looking dry or dusty, you can mist some water onto the leaves.
Repotting radiator plants
Unlike other houseplants, Radiator Plants thrive in smaller containers because their roots will soak up too much water when placed in a larger pot. So, only repot your Radiator Plant when you see roots coming out of the bottom of the pot.
Potting soil for radiator plants
Radiator Plants require rich, well-draining soil. When looking for good soil for your Radiator Plants, look for peat moss or coco coir mixed with perlite or porous lava rock. The bulk of peat moss and coco coir combined with the aerated perlite or porous lava rock allows water to pass through easily.
Planter pots for radiator plants
Radiator Plants thrive in smaller pots because their roots break up the soil, preventing the plant from becoming waterlogged. So, you shouldn’t need to repot your Radiator Plant unless necessary. If you have to repot, only go one size up.
Propagating radiator plants
Radiator Plants are easy to propagate with stem cuttings. To propagate your Radiator Plant:
- Using sharp, sterilized scissors, cut off a few healthy stems around 4-5 inches long with a few leaves still attached. In addition, cut off 1/2 of the leaf as well. A leaf with a cut edge helps the propagation process.
- To allow ample drainage, place the cuttings in fresh potting mix, preferably a mixture of peat moss and perlite. Water thoroughly. Place a plastic dome over the top of the pot to retain moisture.
- Keep out of direct sunlight and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Common pests affecting radiator plants
Fungus Gnats and Spider Mites are the main pests affecting Radiator Plants. These pests thrive in drier conditions, so you need to keep the humidity up around your plant. In addition, these plants are prone to mealybugs. Mealybugs are drawn to high nitrogen levels and soggy soil, so try to avoid overfertilizing and overwatering your Radiator Plant.
If your Radiator Plant has small bugs on it or visible webbing from spider mites, start by washing the foliage with soapy water. Pay attention to the undersides of the leaves and the points where the leaves meet the stems. Then treat the entire Peperomia with an organic insecticide.
Common diseases affecting radiator plants
Radiator Plants tend to be pretty healthy given the proper care. However, there are a few diseases that can harm your plant. For instance, Anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes leaf spots and is the most common disease associated with Radiator Plants. Other known fungal diseases are Cercospora, Myrothesium, and Rhizoctonia. Fortunately, you can usually quickly treat these fungal diseases with an organic fungicide spray.
Root rot is another common disease that can affect Radiator Plants. Root rot occurs when the roots sit in stagnant, dense soil with poor drainage. You can easily prevent this by using a well-draining potting mix and pots with plenty of drainage holes. In addition, you can avoid root rot by only watering the soil when the top 1 inch of soil becomes dry.