Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) is a small houseplant with oval, waxy leaves. It is an easy-to-grow indoor plant that is tolerant of a wide range of conditions including low light. Of all the Peperomia species, Peperomia obtusifolia is the easiest to grow. Baby Rubber Plants will grow well in bathrooms because it thrives in high humidity. Here is a beginner’s guide on how to care for your Baby Rubber Plant indoors.
Baby Rubber Plant Houseplant Care at a Glance
| Name | Baby Rubber Plant |
| Scientific Name | Peperomia obtusifolia |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Light | Bright Filtered Light. Can Tolerate Low Light. |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Water | Abundant Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
| Potting | Well-draining, organic, all-purpose potting mix |
| Fertilizer | Once every 2 weeks at half strength during the growing season. Once a month in the winter. |
| Toxic to Pets and Humans | Non-Toxic |
Baby Rubber Plant : Common Names
Baby Rubber Plant is also called Pepper Face, American Rubber Plant, Oval leaf Peperomia and Baby Rubberplant.
Baby Rubber Plant: Size
Your Baby Rubber Plant is a small houseplant that can grow up to 2 feet tall but are typically less than 12 inches tall and wide.
Baby Rubber Plant: Toxic to Cats?
According to the ASPCA, Baby Rubber Plants are not toxic to cats.
Baby Rubber Plant: Toxic to Dogs?
According to the ASPCA, Baby Rubber Plants are not toxic to dogs. However, you may want to keep your Baby Rubber Plant out of reach if you find your dog snacking on it frequently!
Light
Baby Rubber Plant: Sun or Shade?
Baby Rubber Plant will grow best in bright, filtered light. It does well in an East facing window. Keep it away from direct sunlight since it will burn the leaves.
Your Baby Rubber Plant can also tolerate low light. It will thrive in a north-facing window. It will also do well with artificial light. Do keep it away from drafty locations.
As a humid-loving houseplant, your Baby Rubber Plant will do well in bathrooms.
Water
How Often Should You Water Your Baby Rubber Plant?
Your Baby Rubber Plant has abundant water requirements. Water your Baby Rubber Plant when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it is time to water your Baby Rubber Plant is to feel the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 0.5 inches deep. If it feels dry, it’s time to water your Baby Rubber Plant.
What Type of Water Should You Use When Watering Your Baby Rubber Plant?
Your Baby Rubber Plant can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your Baby Rubber Plant. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your Baby Rubber Plant. Baby Rubber Plant prefers cool water that is not hot and not cold. When you turn on the cold water from the faucet add a little bit of warm water. You can also get to this ideal temperature by filling a watering can or pitcher with water and leaving it out overnight until the water is at room temperature.
How Do You Make Sure There is Proper Drainage for Your Baby Rubber Plant?
Your Baby Rubber Plant Good drainage is important, you don’t want your Baby Rubber Plant to sit in soggy soil. Make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. After watering your Baby Rubber Plant and you see water draining out of the pot’s drainage holes, make sure you empty out the accumulated water in the saucer. Don’t let your Baby Rubber Plant’s pot sit in this puddle of water. It will cause root rot!
Do You Need to Mist Your Baby Rubber Plant?
Your Baby Rubber Plant is a tropical houseplant that likes humid conditions. You should increase indoor humidity. Turn on the humidifier or keep it in your bathroom. Mist your Baby Rubber Plant a few times a week.
Soil
What Type of Potting Mix is Best for Your Baby Rubber Plant?
Your Baby Rubber Plant needs a well-draining, organic all-purpose potting mix.
How Do You Know When To Repot Your Baby Rubber Plant?
Repot your Baby Rubber Plant when it outgrows its current pot. Repot your Baby Rubber Plant in a container with a diameter 2 inches larger than the current pot. Keep your Baby Rubber Plant in small containers since these are small plants.
Fertilizer
Do You Need to Fertilize Your Baby Rubber Plant?
Your Baby Rubber Plant should be fertilized once every 2 weeks at half strength during the growing season. Once a month in the winter.
What Fertilizer Should You Use on Your Baby Rubber Plant?
Use liquid or powder, organic fertilizer with a higher ratio of nitrogen on your Baby Rubber Plant.
Propagation
How Do You Propagate Your Baby Rubber Plant?
Your Baby Rubber Plant is easy to propagate. You can propagate your Baby Rubber Plant by stem tip cutting. Below are steps on how to propagate Baby Rubber Plant Plant by stem tip cutting:
1. Take a Stem Tip Cutting of Your Baby Rubber Plant (include a node)
Pick a stem with a node. Cut below the node.
2. Place Your Baby Rubber Plant Stem in a Jar of Water
Place the Baby Rubber Plant stem into a jar of water and wait for it to grow roots. To help it focus its energy on growing roots, make sure your stem has a maximum of 2 leaves. Cut off extra leaves as needed.
Another way to stimulate root growth is to dip your stem cutting in root hormone and plant it in moist sand. I personally prefer the jar method so you can easily see the roots come out. Know that not all stem cuttings of Baby Rubber Plant will grow roots, so to be safe, cut a few stem cuttings so you will at least get one with roots.
3. Plant Baby Rubber Plant Stem Cutting in a New Pot
Once the roots grow, plant these stem cuttings into a new pot. Water the new plant immediately after planting. Then water every 2-3 days until the roots are established.
4. Place New Baby Rubber Plant in a Spot with Bright Indirect Sun
Place your new Baby Rubber Plant plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight. Don’t put it in direct sunlight.
Common Problems of Baby Rubber Plant Care
The most common problems that affect Baby Rubber Plant are root rot, edema, and mealy bugs.
Baby Rubber Plant Problem: Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves and Stems of your Baby Rubber Plant
Problem: There are fluffy white growths in between the leaves and stems of your Baby Rubber Plant.
Cause: Mealybugs are causing the fluffy white growth on your Baby Rubber Plant. It is a common houseplant disease.
Solution: To get rid of mealybugs on your Baby Rubber Plant, wash your plant with water. You can also use soapy water. Spraying rubbing alcohol on affected areas can also get rid of mealybugs. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap are also effective in getting rid of mealybugs.
Check out our article on how to make your own homemade pesticides using baby shampoo: How to Make Horticultural Oil and How to Make Insecticidal Soap
Baby Rubber Plant Problem: Looks Wilted (Soil is Wet)
Problem: Your Baby Rubber Plant looks wilted even if the soil is wet. Check for root rot by pulling the plant out and examining the roots. If the roots of your Baby Rubber Plant plant look mushy (healthy roots are firm) and the roots are gray to black in color, these are telltale signs of root rot.
Cause: Root rot is caused by fungus and is a serious problem for your Baby Rubber Plant. Root rot is a result of wet soil due to overwatering or poor drainage.
Solution: When your Baby Rubber Plant is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Your best course of action is to throw your Baby Rubber Plant out and start over with a new plant. This time don’t overwater your Baby Rubber Plant and make sure there is good drainage in the pot.
Baby Rubber Plant Problem: There are Small Brown Bumps on the Leaves of Your Baby Rubber Plant
Problem: There are many small brown bumps on the leaves of your Baby Rubber Plant. These brown bumps can’t be picked off the leaves.
Cause: Your Baby Rubber Plant has developed Edema. These small brown bumps are growth on the leaves that are a result of overwatering.
Solution: Reduce watering frequency on your Baby Rubber Plant. Make sure there is sufficient drainage so your Baby Rubber Plant does not sit on soggy soil.
Cleaning Baby Rubber Plant Houseplant
What’s the best way to clean the leaves of your Baby Rubber Plant?
Dust accumulates on your Baby Rubber Plant leaves over time. The layer of dust decreases the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Periodically wiping down the leaves of your Baby Rubber Plant with a damp cloth will help keep your plant healthy. You can also use a duster or dry duster cloth to wipe off the layer of dust on leaves.
You May Also Be Interested In:
How to Take Care of Haworthia (infograph)