Melinda Myers

Peperomia

Botanical Name

Peperomia spp.

Height

From 2 inches up to 3 feet - many, many varieties

Width

6 to 18 inches

Light

Bright, indirect light, tolerates lower light

Soil

Well-drained

Planting & Care

• Less variegation and smaller leaves in low light
• Water when top few inches of soil dry
• Pour off any excess water that collects in the saucer to avoid overwatering that can lead to root rot
• Thicker leaf varieties are more drought tolerant
• Generally slow growing, minimal fertilizer and pruning needed
• Prune back if plants become leggy
  • Cuttings can be used to start new plants
• Ripple peperomias can be propagated by leaf cuttings

Problems

Root rot if grown in too large of a container

Varieties

• Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia caperata 'Ripple') - wrinkled heart-shaped leaves
• Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) - smooth green leaves are streaked in striped with silver, making them resemble a watermelon rind
• Japanese Peperomia (Peperomia japonica) - small leaves with a rippled texture, pinkish-red stems, great for terrariums
• Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia quadrangularis) - trailing or creeping habit; small green leaves with lighter green stripes
• Jade Peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya 'Jade') - shiny teardrop-shaped leaves, up to 18"
• Teardrop Peperomia (Peperomia orba) - dark green teardrop-shaped leaves, great for terrariums
• Variegated Teardrop Peperomia (P. orba 'Variegata') - glossy green leaves variegated with golden yellow, small scale plant is a good choice for terrariums
• Rainbow Peperomia (Peperomia clusiifolia 'Rainbow') - thick light green leaves edged with yellow and blushed with red stems and leaf margins
• Variegated Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia 'Variegata') - upright habit, round waxy leaves mottled in green and gold variegation
• Columbian Peperomia (Peperomia metallica var. columbiana) - bronze purple leaves with a metallic-purple stripe
• Belly Button Peperomia (Peperomia verticillata) - small dark green leaves
• Jelly Peperomia (Peperomia clusiifolia 'Jelly') - large thick leaves with cream and pink edging
• Peperomia perciliata - small scale plant that grows 2 inches tall and 8 or more inches wide, small heart-shaped leaves are connected to red stems, ideal for terrariums
• Cupid Peperomia (Peperomia scandens 'Variegata') - trailing habit, light green heart-shaped leaves rimmed in creamy gold