
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
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