Peperomia serpens
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Peperomia scandens
- Piper herbaceum
- Piper serpens
- Phonetic Spelling
- pep-er-ROH-mee-uh SUR-penz
- Description
-
The Vining Peperomia is a semi-succulent, creeping, climbing, trailing, perennial from tropical Central and South America and is a member of the Piperaceae or pepper family. It has small, bright green, glossy, heart-shaped leaves that resemble the foliage of a Pothos. The stems are thick and light pink. The flowers of this plant are spikes of white or green. The plant will grow to 1 to 2 feet in length and up to 6 inches in height.
This plant thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. It requires moist, well-drained soil and does not tolerate overwatering. It may require a trellis or pole as it continues to grow. Avoid cold drafts and maintain a moderate temperature and humidity.
The beautiful foliage and ease of care make the Vining Peperomia a wonderful houseplant for beginning houseplant enthusiasts, Consider using this plant in a hanging basket or terrarium.
Quick ID Hints:
- epiphytic, creeping, climbing, trailing, semi-succulent herbaceous perennial
- stem slightly pubescent
- small, bright green, glossy, fleshy, heart-shaped leaves resembling the foliage of a pothos
- flowers are white or greenish spikes
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, scale, fungus gnats, and whiteflies. Root rot can occur from overwatering. Avoid wetting the leaves and provide good air circulation to prevent leaf spots.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Variegata'
green leaves with creamy white leaf margins
- 'Variegata'
- 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Variegata'
green leaves with creamy white leaf margins
- 'Variegata'
- 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Peperomia
- Species:
- serpens
- Family:
- Piperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Mexico to Tropical America
- Distribution:
- Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuelan Antilles, and Windward Islands
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Creeping
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
-
-
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
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are small spikes of green or white. Houseplants rarely produce flowers.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are bright green, glossy, slightly wrinkly, and heart-shaped.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Pink
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are thick, pink, and have tiny hairs.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
