Peperomia caperata
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Peperomia argentea
- Phonetic Spelling
- pep-er-ROH-mee-uh kap-er-AY-tuh
- Description
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Emerald Ripple Peperomia is a tropical plant in the Piperaceae (pepper) family that is commonly used as a houseplant in temperate climates. In the tropics, this plant is an evergreen herbaceous ground cover with an erect and bushy habit growing up to 8 inches tall. It can also be epiphytic in the jungles of South America where it is native.
The genus name Peperomia is derived from two Greek words peperi meaning pepper and homoios which means resembles, referring to its resemblance to the true black pepper plant Piper nigrum. The species name caperata is Latin for wrinkled, describing the wavy texture of the leaves.
An easy-to-grow houseplant tolerant of indoor conditions. Medium light conditions such as sun filtered through a thin curtain are ideal, along with soil that dries between watering and medium to low relative humidity. It is tolerant of low light for several months without stress but it will not tolerate wet soil, very dry soil, or very drafty sites.
This plant has highly decorative heart-shaped leaves with a deeply furrowed nature and cream-colored, spiked inflorescence both adding interest to any interiorscape. The plant gets its common name from its wrinkled green leaves, which are so dark they almost appear purple. Propagate this plant through leaf or stem tip cuttings in the spring.
This plant is commonly used as an interior specimen or a desktop plant. It performs well with bright, fluorescent lights so is ideal for offices. Plant it in a container or in a hanging basket to enjoy its attractive leaves. In areas free of frost it can be grown as a groundcover in a border front or herbaceous perennial bed.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are heart-shaped and deeply furrowed
- Inflorescence is a cream-colored spike
- Petioles are usually pinkish to reddish
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests include whiteflies, mealybugs, and spider mites. Leaf spot occasionally occurs. It is susceptible to root rot so use a porous well-draining potting soil.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Abricos'
dark green leaves with pink, orange, and red edges - 'Burbella'
dark gray rounded leaves - 'Burgundy'
Red-green leaves - 'Emerald Ripple'
leaves are green and cream with a rippled pattern, cascading habit, small white flowers - 'Frost'
silvery green leaves, small and pointed - 'Pink Lady'
pink and green variegated leaves - 'Quito'
orange, pink, and bronze foliage with deep ridges - 'Red Luna'
dark red leaves with deep grooves - 'Red Ripple'
bright purplish red leaves, transition to light green with maturity - 'Rosso'
thin, pointed dark green leaves, red on underside - 'Silver'
round silvery green leaves - 'Variegata'
medium green with white and cream variegation
- 'Abricos'
- 'Abricos', 'Burbella', 'Burgundy', 'Emerald Ripple', 'Frost', 'Pink Lady', 'Quito', 'Red Luna', 'Red Ripple', 'Rosso', 'Silver', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Abricos'
dark green leaves with pink, orange, and red edges - 'Burbella'
dark gray rounded leaves - 'Burgundy'
Red-green leaves - 'Emerald Ripple'
leaves are green and cream with a rippled pattern, cascading habit, small white flowers - 'Frost'
silvery green leaves, small and pointed - 'Pink Lady'
pink and green variegated leaves - 'Quito'
orange, pink, and bronze foliage with deep ridges - 'Red Luna'
dark red leaves with deep grooves - 'Red Ripple'
bright purplish red leaves, transition to light green with maturity - 'Rosso'
thin, pointed dark green leaves, red on underside - 'Silver'
round silvery green leaves - 'Variegata'
medium green with white and cream variegation
- 'Abricos'
- 'Abricos', 'Burbella', 'Burgundy', 'Emerald Ripple', 'Frost', 'Pink Lady', 'Quito', 'Red Luna', 'Red Ripple', 'Rosso', 'Silver', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Peperomia
- Species:
- caperata
- Family:
- Piperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Leaf Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil Southeast
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- White flower spikes 2"-3" long in summer and autumn. The flowers are not very colorful and tend to be white to cream in color, they are similar to attenuated Anthuriums or Arum Lilies. They consist of a myriad of small flowers arranged on the stem. They have 2 stamens and no perianths. They are said to resemble mouse tails.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Obtuse
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are deep green 1 1/2" long with some red or purple cordate, broadly acute to obtuse, have a corrugated surface, cordate, have impressed veins, are in deep rippling folds, are dark glossy green in color, and are sub-peltate. Petioles are 3" in size and green to dull red in color.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The leaf-stalk of this plant are red or pink. Stems are erect, unbranched, tough, and dark green or tinged purple.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
