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Radiator plant

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 plants

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
Radiator plant - peperomia caperata 'lilian'
Peperomia caperata ‘lilian’

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 plants at nursery
Peperomia caperata
Peperomia caperata purple
Peperomia caperata

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 - peperomia columella
Radiator plant – peperomia columella

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.

Radiator plant - peperomia caperata 'rosso'
Peperomia caperata ‘rosso’

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.

Radiator plant - peperomia caperata

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.

Radiator plant peperomia

Propagating radiator plants

Radiator Plants are easy to propagate with stem cuttings. To propagate your Radiator Plant:

  1. 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. 
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Organic pest spray - safer brand 3-in-1 insecticide
3-in-1 spray by safer brand fights most common plant pest insects and diseases

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.

Mary Jane Duford
Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a quintessential Canadian gardener. An engineer by trade, she tends to an ever-expanding collection of plants. In her world, laughter blooms as freely as her flowers, and every plant is raised with a dash of Canadian grit.

Mary Jane is a certified Master Gardener and also holds a Permaculture Design Certificate. She's also a proud mom of three, teaching her little sprouts the crucial difference between a garden friend and foe.

When she's not playing in the dirt, Mary Jane revels in her love for Taylor Swift, Gilmore Girls, ice hockey, and the surprisingly soothing sounds of bluegrass covers of classic hip-hop songs. She invites you to join her garden party, a place where you can share in the joy of growing and where every day is a new opportunity to find the perfect spot for yet another plant.

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