Peperomia Angulata Beetle (Quadrangularis)

Learn how to care for Peperomia Angulata. This plant also goes by Peperomia Beetle, Peperomia Quadrangularis, and Beetle Radiator Plant.

Peperomia Angulata Beetle (Quadrangularis)

Plants with little leaves are super adorable and look gorgeous trailing down a hanging planter. This Peperomia Angulata hangs in my entry way, and I love how welcoming it looks.

Peperomia Angulata is very easy to take care of and it's not fussy. Keep reading for all my best plant care tips.

Three Names: Peperomia Angulata, Peperomia Beetle, Peperomia Quadrangularis

This cute houseplant plant goes by three different names.

You might see this plant listed as Peperomia Angulata, Peperomia Quadrangularis or Peperomia Beetle.

It's a little confusing, especially if you are looking for the plant to buy. But all three of the names refers to the exactly the same plant.

Radiator plant is another term used for Peperomia

To add on to the confusion, the term "radiator plant" is often used to refer to peperomia plants. So you might further see this plant referred to as Beetle Radiator Plant, Radiator Plant Angulata, and Radiator Plant Quadrangularis.

Appearance of Peperomia Angulata Beetle

If you are unsure about the labeling, the best bet is to take a close look at the plant.

Leaves

Peperomia Angulata (aka Peperomia Beetle or Peperomia Quadrangularis) leaves are dark green with golden green stripes vertically down. You'll also see golden green veins in the leaves.

Most commonly, Peperomia Angulata Beetle leaves are almond shape, and end with a point. It's nickname comes from the fact that the leaves look like little beetles.

Not all the leaves on my plant are perfectly shaped though. Some leaves come out a little misshapen, or sometimes it looks like 2 leaves fused together.

Peperomia Beetle leaves are thick and leathery. They are not quite as thick as the leaves of a Peperomia Hope, and not quite as thick as most succulent leaves. However, they are firm to the touch and hold their shape.

Peperomia Angulata Stem

The stem is a reddish hue once it is fully developed. Also, they are flexible, to the extent that they cascade down my hanging planter.

Very often, my plant produces light green "rat tails" at the end of each stem. They are flowers produced by the plant, but it does not look like a traditional flower as you would think.

How Do You Care For Peperomia Angulata (Quandrangularis)

Peperomia Angulata Beetle care is very easy and straightforward. Three basic requirements:

• Light: Bright, indirect light for best growth
• Water: Water semi-frequently, before the soil completely dries out
• Soil: Chunky and airy soil that retains some moisture

Keep reading for more details on each of these requirements.

Peperomia Angulata Light

Peperomia Angulata grows best in in bright indirect light. In other words, the plant should be in a room with lots of windows, but set in a spot where it doesn't receive harsh sunlight.

Do Peperomia Angulata need a lot of sun?

Peperomia Angulata do not need a lot of sun, though it is happiest in bright indirect light. When the Peperomia Angulata is given optimal bright indirect light, it will grow the best.

That being said, Peperomia plants are fairly tolerant and can be in a spot with less than ideal light. In this situation, the plant will survive. However it may get a bit leggy, and it will likely grow more slowly.

Peperomia Angulata Watering

In general, water when the top few inches of the soil are dry. The soil should not dry out completely. But if you forget it for a little longer than ideal, it should be okay.

In the spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing, it requires more water. In the fall and winter, you can let the plant dry out more in between waterings.

While I typically bottom water my plants, I don't do so with this Beetle Peperomia because it is so forgiving. I simply use a watering can and give it a little bit of water every so often.

What Potting Mix To Use?

My Peperomia Angulata sits in chunky and airy soil that also retains moisture.

I make my own potting mix. It's the same potting mix that I use for most all my houseplants, including aroids (like pothos).

• 2 parts Tropical Potting Soil
• 1 part mix of airy material such as pumice, lava rocks, perlite
• 1 part Orchiata bark

As I've mentioned before, this peperomia is not a fussy plant. You don't have to be so exact with the mix. In my experience, it can also handle a higher ratio of the tropical potting soil.

Read more detailed instructions in my Aroid Potting Mix post. I also explain why plants love this mix.

Where Should I Place My Beetle Peperomia?

Peperomia Angularis Beetle will grow the best in a spot with plenty of bright indirect light. For example, if you have a spot near a south facing window. Alternatively, they would also do well set back from a west facing window.

That being said, I have both my Peperomia Angulata Beetle and Peperomia Hope hanging next to an east facing window. In that spot, the plants get weak direct sunlight in the morning for a couple hours. After the morning hours, it's not especially bright in that spot the rest of the day.

Although placing the peperomia plants against an east facing window is not the most ideal spot for the plants, both plants are happy and growing. Also, the plants don't suffer from leaf burn, even with the direct sunlight in the morning.

A Beetle Peperomia is pretty tolerate, so don't worry too much if you can't place your plant in the most ideal location.

Looks beautiful hanging

The Peperomia Quadrangularis Beetle looks gorgeous hanging in a planter. It trails beautifully down.

Hanging a Beetle Peperomia by a window does pose a risk if the window is too drafty and cold. The plant does not enjoy the cold. However in my experience, our double-paned window seems to be thick enough, even through the dead of winter.

I use this Kinto Hanging Planter and I like it because it has an inside pot with drainage hole. However, my plant still sits in a 4-inch nursery pot inside this hanging planter. The Kinto Planter is large enough to hold a 6-inch plant, so it's still too big for my plant.

Where to Buy

I bought my Peperomia Quadrangularis Beetle at a local nursery. It cost $12 for this 4-inch plant. It was much smaller than in the photos when I bought it. This variety seems pretty rare though, I don't see plant shops sell it often.

While I frequently browse big box stores such as Home Depot and Lowes, I have never come across one in those shops. I do think they sometimes carry this plant, and sell it as an unspecified peperomia variety though.

If you are after this cute plant, California Tropicals sell Peperomia Beetle on Amazon, and it has good reviews. Peperomia would hold up well being shipped too.

Any questions? I'd also love to hear what works for your Peperomia Quadrangularis below.