Peperomia argyreia

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watermelon begonia

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watermelon begonia RHS
watermelon begonia RHS

Other common names

rugby football plant, watermelon pepper, watermelon plant

Synonyms

Peperomia sandersii

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A bushy perennial to 20cm tall, with ovate green leaves, attractively striped with silver bands between the veins, borne on red stalks; flowers greenish, minute, in short spikes. An ideal plant for terrariums or bottle gardens

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Piperaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Peperomia are evergreen perennials with simple, often succulent leaves and very small greenish-white flowers borne in slender spikes or panicles
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Brazil

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free potting compost in bright indirect light when in active growth and full light in winter. Water moderately in summer and sparingly in winter. See Peperomia and houseplant cultivation for further information. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens

Propagation

Propagate by seed, softwood leaf, or leafbud cuttings. Alternatively remove offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free