Watermelon peperomia guide
Peperomia argyreia, also called watermelon begonia, Peperomia sandersii
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Medium
- Water
- When the top half of the soil is dry
- Humidity
- Average room air is fine
- Temperature
- 18 to 27°C (65 to 80°F). Keep above 13°C (55°F).
- Soil
- Chunky, fast-draining mix with perlite and bark
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) tall
- Propagation
- Leaf or stem cuttings in water or soil
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes watermelon peperomia different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the peperomia care guide.
What it is
Watermelon peperomia has round, pointed leaves striped in silver and dark green, like a watermelon rind. Each leaf sits on a red stem that rises from the center of the plant. It stays compact, around 20 cm (8 in) tall.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Watermelon peperomia | Round, silver and green stripes, red stems | Stripes run from the stem out, like a rind |
| Aluminum plant | Oval, quilted, silver patches | Silver patches between the veins, green stems |
| Ripple peperomia | Heart-shaped, deep ripples | Deep wrinkles, no stripes |
Aluminum plant is sometimes sold as “watermelon pilea.” The two get mixed up.
Care differences
The red leaf stems are soft and rot fast in wet soil. Let the top half of the soil dry before watering. Water at the edge of the pot, not into the crown.
Bright indirect light keeps the stripes crisp. In low light, the stems stretch and flop.
Grow it from a leaf cutting
Cut a leaf with its stem. Push the stem into moist soil, or cut the leaf in half across the middle and set the cut edge in soil. New plants grow from the cut in four to eight weeks.
Buying it
Watermelon peperomia is common at garden centers. Look for upright stems and crisp stripes. Stems that bend over at the base mean rot or low light.