How to Care for Piper - Expert Tips for Thriving Plants

Piper plants aren't as well-known as other houseplants, but they stand out with their unique beauty. They belong to the Piperaceae family, making them relatives to the Peperomia plants. When you take a closer look, you can spot the similarities between these two plant families!

From herbs to houseplants and from small trees to shrubs, the large Piper family has something for everyone! One of the most notable members of the Piper family is the Black Pepper plant. Piper crocatum and Piper sylvaticum are two other charming species that are gaining popularity as houseplants.

Piper Plants Care: 10 expert tips for growing it successfully

1. Your Piper plant loves bright indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can hurt its leaves. Find a spot where it can get plenty of natural light, such as near a window with a curtain or shade.
2. Avoid too low light conditions. Although Piper plants can tolerate lower light levels, they will not thrive. If the plant becomes leggy or the leaves lose their variegation, it might need more light.
3. Rotate your Piper occasionally. Plants tend to stretch toward light sources, so this helps them grow evenly.
4. It’s best to water it when the soil is slightly dried out. You can check soil moisture by poking your finger or using a water meter.
5. Many of them are climbers at heart, so they need trellises or stalks to climb. In this way, they will grow you more beautiful leaves as a result!
6. Repot every 2-3 years. Piper usually like their roots to be a bit crowded, but they still need fresh soil occasionally. Choose a pot one size bigger than the one you have now.
7. Prune regularly. To maintain an attractive shape and encourage bushier growth, trim any leggy or overgrown branches during the spring or summer.
8. Don't panic over yellow leaves. Some lower leaves may turn yellow and fall off as the plant ages. However, if many leaves suddenly turn yellow, you'll need to play plant detective. Your plant may need less water or more sunlight.
9. Monitor for leaf drop. Check the temperature and humidity levels if you notice the plant dropping leaves in winter. The plant might need a warmer location or humidity to combat dry indoor air.
10. Watch out for pests. Piper plants can attract pests like spider mites or mealybugs. If you see any signs of these pests, treat the plant immediately with an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution.

Piper plant care tips

Light and placement for Piper

The Piper family mostly consists of tropical plants, so the best location is somewhere with medium to bright light to keep her foliage as beautiful as possible. So, find a spot where it can get plenty of natural light, such as near a window with a curtain or shade.

Don’t be afraid, but this plant family can be a little dramatic if it doesn't get enough light. They will show it to you by dropping leaves and growing leggy or drab colouration. Don’t take us wrong, you still need to avoid direct sunlight because it can burn your plants' delicate leaves!

Watering

Most of the Piper have succulent leaves. Succulent means that it doesn't need a lot of water. It's best to water it again when half of the soil is dry. Watering once a week is usually sufficient, but always check the soil first. Be aware of soggy soil because it can lead to root rot and eventually kill your Piper. You'll notice yellowing and wilting leaves or a noticeable rotten odor if you overwater.

Nutrition

Piper are not very hungry plants. So, when we talk about fertilising a Piper, less is more. It can be fed a little during the growing season (usually spring and summer). You can fertilise your Piper plants with PLNTS houseplant fertiliser once a month to support their growth and leaf production.

Overall, Piper is self-sufficient and will also thrive really well in their planting substrate without extra fertilisation. Your future green baby is an independent one!

Temperature & humidity

As tropical plants, they love warm and humid environments. Your Piper houseplant will be happy if you keep the temperature at 18-26°C and the humidity at 40-60%. You can read how to raise the humidity levels of your plants if the levels are too low in your home (especially in winter).

Repotting & soil

Piper plants usually need repotting every after 2-3 years. It's time to move it to a bigger pot once roots start growing out of drainage holes. When choosing soil, go for well-draining and nutrient-rich houseplant soil. If you are looking for an organic soil mix that supports your plant's growth and health, we recommend using PLNTS houseplant soil.

Propagating Piper

The first thing we can advise you when propagating, is to wait for the growing season: spring and summer. Propagating Piper is pretty easy. Just follow these simple steps:

1. First, it’s important to use clean and sharp tools like pruning shears or kitchen knives.
2. Look for a mature and healthy stem, ideally one with multiple leaves. Cut off 5 to 10 cm of a stem with a leaf from the mother plant.
3. Just after cutting it, you can repot it in a small container in a bright spot with a lot of indirect sunlight. Alternatively, you can root it in a water glass, and once the root system has developed, transplant it into the soil.
4. You also need to water it a lot and prevent the soil from getting dry.

After a few weeks, roots will be formed, and you can repot your new baby plant in a bigger pot!

Most common pests on Piper

Piper plants are sensitive to common pests like mealybugs, spider mites or white flies. You can check our PLNTSdoctor page to recognise and eliminate your plant pests if your Piper is attacked. If you are interested in biological pest control, you can take a look at our blog.

Is Piper poisonous for your pets or children?

Another good thing about the Piper? These beauties are totally safe for children and pets! Your furry friend and babies can chew the plant without any danger, but we prefer avoiding the plants than getting hurt, right?

Buy your new Piper online at PLNTS.com

At PLNTS.com, we love Piper for their beautiful look and their easy care! We can introduce you to the gorgeous Piper Sylvaticum and her incredible silver leaves or Piper Crocatum with pointed waxy leaves that have unique pink veins. Buy Piper online at PLNTS.com.