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PIPER CROCATUM

PIPER CROCATUM

$73.00Price

Heart-shaped green and pink leaves with climbing/trailing vines. Purple undersides.

 

Botanical Name: Piper crocatum

Common Name: Celebes pepper

Family: Piperaceae

Native To: Peru

 

*Please note that this plant develops cystoliths, outgrowths of the epidermal cell wall and contain deposits of calcium carbonate. Visbible as dots that can appear white or clear and later black. These do not harm the plant in any way and are no cause for alarm. You will generally see these on the undersides of the leaves.

 

*This plant is not considered toxic, however, it is best to keep all plants away from small children and pets.

  • LIGHT

    Loves bright indirect light. Keep out of harsh direct sun as leaves will burn. If light levels are too low, growth may be slow.

  • WATER

    Allow the top couple of inches of soil to dry out before watering but do not allow all of the soil to dry out completely. Test soil with a takeout chopstick before you water. If the stick is dirty within the top two inches of soil, this means it is still wet and you should hold off on watering. Do not allow soil to become waterlogged as the roots can easily rot. Pipers prefer a high level of humidity. 

  • TIPS

    • See our note in the body of the listing about cystoliths
    • Fertilize once a month during spring and summer with a diluted liquid fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing during winter.
    • Rotate regularly for even growth.
    • Wipe leaves regularly to remove dust.
    • Loves humidity! We recommend placing this beauty near a humidifier.
    • When repotting, use a well-draining soil mix that won't hold onto water long. A succulent/cactus mix would work well for this plant.
  • TOXICITY

    This plant is not considered toxic. We advise keeping all plants out of reach of pets and children.

  • REPOTTING/POTTING UP

    When plants change environments they will need a period of time to acclimate to their new home. We recommend waiting at least a couple of weeks to repot your new plant. Plants can grow just fine in their plastic nursery pot and in most cases, will not be root bound. To avoid shocking your plant, give it time to adjust to your home as these conditions might vary greatly from where it was previously being grown. 

    Below are some general tips on when to repot:

    • Root to soil ratio is around 75% roots to 25% soil
    • If your plant is in a pot without drainage (we never sell plants this way)
    • The soil that the plant was grown in is not ideal for that particular plant
    • If you notice pests or grubs in the soil (typically from plants that have been outside)
    • If your plant is suffering from root rot

    When repotting, consider the following:

    • Not all indoor plants want the same soil. Do some research on what type of plant you have and its soil needs.
    • If you are going to pot up (increase the size of your pot), only increase by one size at a time. An example would be if your plant is currently in a 4" pot and the roots are at 75% and time to pot up, get a pot that is no more than 6". If you can find a 5" pot, this would be ideal. 
    • ALWAYS use pots with drainage. Please. Yes, plants can technically grow in pots without drainage but we do not recommend this approach. Plants don't like their roots sitting in water and if you've accidentally over-watered then your plant is at risk of getting root rot. When you have plants in pots without drainage, you also aren't allowing your plant to be watered thoroughly. 
    • When deciding on a pot, either keep the plant in its nursery/grow pot and put that inside a cachepot or find a pot with drainage.
    • Most plants will be happy in their pots for about two years, sometimes more. As long as the roots aren't past the 75% ratio, they are good. If you are worried about nutrients or soil has washed away from the top, you can top dress (add fresh nutrient-rich soil, compost or worm castings to the top, not to exceed the original height of the soil) or add fertilizer to regular waterings from spring to summer (please see fertilizer instructions for frequency as these can vary).  
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