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Peperomia

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Piperanthera
  • Rhynchophorum
Phonetic Spelling
peh-per-ROH-mee-ah
Description

Peperomia is a genus of small, perennial houseplants that have over 1000 species, each having unique characteristics. 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. They are found in rainforests and thrive in areas that are warm and humid.

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. The common name, Radiator Plant, references their preference for warm conditions. Many species of Peperomia are used as houseplants or greenhouse plants. In warm climates, they are used as garden plants.

They are popular houseplants because of their easy care, compact habit, and their beautiful ornamental foliage. They usually reach a height of 6 inches to 1 foot and are equally as wide. The species have a variety of leaf textures, colors, and shapes. The leaves may be heart-shaped, lanceolate, rounded, or oblanceolate, and they may be green, blue-green, silver, brownish, or may have a variegated leaf pattern. The leaf texture also varies from smooth, glossy, fleshy, or fuzzy. Many species are succulent-like and can store water in their fleshy leaves. Their growth habits also vary from erect, bushy, trailing, cascading, or climbing. 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. 

They are winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12.  They prefer bright indirect light and will tolerate low light conditions. 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 your home is very dry consider a humidifier. They are typically slow-growing and will not need to be repotted very often. Propagated by leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, or divisions, depending on the species.

Peperomia plants 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 bring a splash of color to 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 indicate 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:
Peperomia albovittata, Peperomia albovittata 'Piccolo Banda', Peperomia albovittata 'Rana Verde', Peperomia argyraea (Watermelon Peperomia), Peperomia caperata (Emerald Ripple Peperomia), Peperomia clusiifolia (Red Edged Peperomia), Peperomia fernandopoiana (Leather Peperomia), Peperomia ferreyrae (Happy Bean Peperomia), Peperomia graveolens 'Ruby Glow', Peperomia griseoargentea (Ivy Leaf Peperomia), Peperomia incana (Felted Peperomia), Peperomia metallica (Metallic Peperomia), Peperomia nitida (Cupid Peperomia), Peperomia nivalis (Taco Leaf Peperomia), Peperomia obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant), Peperomia pellucida (Pepper Elder), Peperomia peltfolia, Peperomia perciliata, Peperomia pereskiifolia, Peperomia polybotrya (Raindrop Peperomia), Peperomia prostrata (String of Turtles), Peperomia rotundifolia (Round Leaf Peperomia), Peperomia serpens (Vining Peperomia), Peperomia tetraphylla (Peperomia Hope), Peperomia verticillata (Belly Button Peperomia)
Tags:
#houseplant#slow growing#interiorscape#low maintenance#pet friendly#interesting leaves#hanging baskets#terrarium#adaptable#herbaceous perennial#container plant#easy to grow houseplant#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Peperomia albovittata, Peperomia albovittata 'Piccolo Banda', Peperomia albovittata 'Rana Verde', Peperomia argyraea (Watermelon Peperomia), Peperomia caperata (Emerald Ripple Peperomia), Peperomia clusiifolia (Red Edged Peperomia), Peperomia fernandopoiana (Leather Peperomia), Peperomia ferreyrae (Happy Bean Peperomia), Peperomia graveolens 'Ruby Glow', Peperomia griseoargentea (Ivy Leaf Peperomia), Peperomia incana (Felted Peperomia), Peperomia metallica (Metallic Peperomia), Peperomia nitida (Cupid Peperomia), Peperomia nivalis (Taco Leaf Peperomia), Peperomia obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant), Peperomia pellucida (Pepper Elder), Peperomia peltfolia, Peperomia perciliata, Peperomia pereskiifolia, Peperomia polybotrya (Raindrop Peperomia), Peperomia prostrata (String of Turtles), Peperomia rotundifolia (Round Leaf Peperomia), Peperomia serpens (Vining Peperomia), Peperomia tetraphylla (Peperomia Hope), Peperomia verticillata (Belly Button Peperomia)
Tags:
#houseplant#slow growing#interiorscape#low maintenance#pet friendly#interesting leaves#hanging baskets#terrarium#adaptable#herbaceous perennial#container plant#easy to grow houseplant#accent
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Climbing
    Dense
    Erect
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a very small nutlet.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Humidity