Peperomia
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Piperanthera
- Rhynchophorum
- Phonetic Spelling
- peh-per-ROH-mee-ah
- Description
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Peperomia is a genus of small, herbaceous perennial houseplants that has over 1,000 species. This group of plants is a member of the black pepper family (Piperaceae). The plants are native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia and parts of Australia. The genus name, Peperomia, originated from the Greek word for pepper, peperi, and from homoios, which means resembling. In other words, the genus name implies the plant is very similar and related to the black pepper plant, Piper nigrum.
They prefer bright indirect light yet will tolerate low light conditions. A moist, well-drained soil mixture of loam and sand is recommended. Avoid overwatering and protect them from cold drafts. They are adaptable and can thrive in the humidity levels of most homes, but if the home is very dry, consider a humidifier. They are typically slow-growing and will not need to be repotted often. Propagate pepperomia by leaf cuttings, stem cuttings or divisions, depending on the species.
They are popular houseplants because of their easy care, compact habit and their ornamental foliage. The species, which grow 6 to 12 inches high and wide, have a variety of leaf textures, colors and shapes. Many species are succulent and can store water in their fleshy leaves. In their native habitats, these plants will also produce small, flower spikes that are greenish-white to brown during the summer. Typically, as a houseplant, they will not flower. The common name, radiator plant, references their preference for warm conditions.
In North Carolina, many species of peperomia are used as houseplants or greenhouse plants. They are perfect plants for a desk or tabletop in the home or office. Some species are perfect for hanging baskets, while others can be used in terrariums. The decorative foliage will accent any indoor space.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, scale, fungus gnats and whiteflies. Root rot and yellowing or curling of the leaves indicates overwatering. To prevent leaf spots, avoid wetting the leaves and provide good air circulation. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Peperomia albovittata
bushy, mounding habit, light green leaves, dark green veins, red stems - Peperomia albovittata 'Piccolo Banda'
compact, semi-succulent, silvery green leaves with dark veins, stems fleshy and red - Peperomia albovittata 'Rana Verde'
thick, deep green, round, heart-shaped leaves
Peperomia argyraea
- Peperomia fernandopoiana
Creeping or trailing habit - Peperomia ferreyrae
bright green, slender, bean-like leaves, drought tolerant - Peperomia graveolens 'Ruby Glow'
fleshy, succulent, V-shaped green leaves on the upper surface with red undersides and red stems
Peperomia griseoargentea
- Peperomia incana
rambling habit, oval grayish-green leaves, covered with white hairs, thick stems - Peperomia metallica
creeping habit, low-growing, glossy, chocolate brown leaves, silver stripe at the midvein, underside of leaf is red, - Peperomia nitida
heart-shaped leaves, margins cream colored - Peperomia nivalis
oval leaves, shaped similar to taco shells
Peperomia obtusifolia
- Peperomia pellucida
succulent-like, heart-shaped, thin, waxy green leaves with deep veins - Peperomia peltfolia
native of Bolivia - Peperomia perciliata
trailing habit, oval-shaped, dark green leaves, red stems, use for small terrarium - Peperomia pereskiifolia
trailing habit for hanging basket, smooth, green leaves with red edges and red underside
Peperomia polybotrya
- Peperomia tetraphylla
trailing habit, succulent-like, small, round green leaves - Peperomia verticillata
compact, small, green leaves with red underside
Leaves are round, striped dark green and light green, coloring similar to a watermelon. Peperomia caperata
Deeply ridged, heart-shaped, dark green to burgundy leaves Peperomia clusiifolia
Stiff, elliptical, deep green leaves with dark red margins
Heart-shaped, silvery-grayish-green leaves, red stems
succulent-like, trailing habit, glossy, spoon-shaped, dark green leaves
succulent, often confused with Pilea peperomioides or Friendship Plant Peperomia prostrata
the leaves look like a string of miniature turtle shells Peperomia rotundifolia
trailing, bushy habit, small, thin, green leaves Peperomia serpens
trailing and vining habit, glossy, green, heart-shaped leaves - Peperomia albovittata
- Peperomia albovittata, Peperomia albovittata 'Piccolo Banda', Peperomia albovittata 'Rana Verde', Peperomia argyraea, Peperomia caperata, Peperomia clusiifolia, Peperomia fernandopoiana, Peperomia ferreyrae, Peperomia graveolens 'Ruby Glow', Peperomia griseoargentea, Peperomia incana, Peperomia metallica, Peperomia nitida, Peperomia nivalis, Peperomia obtusifolia, Peperomia pellucida, Peperomia peltfolia, Peperomia perciliata, Peperomia pereskiifolia, Peperomia polybotrya, Peperomia prostrata, Peperomia rotundifolia, Peperomia serpens, Peperomia tetraphylla, Peperomia verticillata
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Peperomia albovittata
bushy, mounding habit, light green leaves, dark green veins, red stems - Peperomia albovittata 'Piccolo Banda'
compact, semi-succulent, silvery green leaves with dark veins, stems fleshy and red - Peperomia albovittata 'Rana Verde'
thick, deep green, round, heart-shaped leaves
Peperomia argyraea
- Peperomia fernandopoiana
Creeping or trailing habit - Peperomia ferreyrae
bright green, slender, bean-like leaves, drought tolerant - Peperomia graveolens 'Ruby Glow'
fleshy, succulent, V-shaped green leaves on the upper surface with red undersides and red stems
Peperomia griseoargentea
- Peperomia incana
rambling habit, oval grayish-green leaves, covered with white hairs, thick stems - Peperomia metallica
creeping habit, low-growing, glossy, chocolate brown leaves, silver stripe at the midvein, underside of leaf is red, - Peperomia nitida
heart-shaped leaves, margins cream colored - Peperomia nivalis
oval leaves, shaped similar to taco shells
Peperomia obtusifolia
- Peperomia pellucida
succulent-like, heart-shaped, thin, waxy green leaves with deep veins - Peperomia peltfolia
native of Bolivia - Peperomia perciliata
trailing habit, oval-shaped, dark green leaves, red stems, use for small terrarium - Peperomia pereskiifolia
trailing habit for hanging basket, smooth, green leaves with red edges and red underside
Peperomia polybotrya
- Peperomia tetraphylla
trailing habit, succulent-like, small, round green leaves - Peperomia verticillata
compact, small, green leaves with red underside
Leaves are round, striped dark green and light green, coloring similar to a watermelon. Peperomia caperata
Deeply ridged, heart-shaped, dark green to burgundy leaves Peperomia clusiifolia
Stiff, elliptical, deep green leaves with dark red margins
Heart-shaped, silvery-grayish-green leaves, red stems
succulent-like, trailing habit, glossy, spoon-shaped, dark green leaves
succulent, often confused with Pilea peperomioides or Friendship Plant Peperomia prostrata
the leaves look like a string of miniature turtle shells Peperomia rotundifolia
trailing, bushy habit, small, thin, green leaves Peperomia serpens
trailing and vining habit, glossy, green, heart-shaped leaves - Peperomia albovittata
- Peperomia albovittata, Peperomia albovittata 'Piccolo Banda', Peperomia albovittata 'Rana Verde', Peperomia argyraea, Peperomia caperata, Peperomia clusiifolia, Peperomia fernandopoiana, Peperomia ferreyrae, Peperomia graveolens 'Ruby Glow', Peperomia griseoargentea, Peperomia incana, Peperomia metallica, Peperomia nitida, Peperomia nivalis, Peperomia obtusifolia, Peperomia pellucida, Peperomia peltfolia, Peperomia perciliata, Peperomia pereskiifolia, Peperomia polybotrya, Peperomia prostrata, Peperomia rotundifolia, Peperomia serpens, Peperomia tetraphylla, Peperomia verticillata
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Peperomia
- Family:
- Piperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Leaf Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropics and Subtropics
- Distribution:
- Tropics and Subtropics of Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Australia, and New Zealand; Portions of the Caribbean and the United States--FL, GA, and LA
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Climbing
- Dense
- Erect
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a very small nutlet.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Insignificant
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- The blooms are small, non-showy, brown, and greenish-white, and appear as spindly spikes that are usually erect. It rarely blooms when used as a houseplant.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Orbicular
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Depending on the species, the leaves may be heart-shaped, round, lanceolate, green, chocolate brown, silver, variegated, smooth, glossy, textured alternate, opposite, or whorled. The surface of the leaf of the species P. incana is covered with fuzzy white hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Depending on the species, the stems may be green or red. Most species the stems are glabrous, but some species are hairy.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
