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There are over 1000 varieties of these popular easy care plants that are grown primarily for their colorful ornamental foliage. The leaves are thick and plump and can be rippled or smooth and shiny. The
colors of the leaves come in various shades of green, red, gray, & cream, displayed in solid, marbled and striped
patterns. The flowers of a peperomia are tiny & inconsequential growing in clusters
on upright conical spikes. When small, peperomias can be used in dish gardens and terrariums. As they slowly grow, compact peperomias are ideal for tables while other varieties make excellent hanging plants.
Most peperomias never grow taller than 12”-18.” The most popular indoor peperomia is the caperata variety.
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CARE OF PEPEROMIA
Light: Peperomias will grow best in bright indirect light: . They also seem to do well under florescent lights. Insufficient light will cause this slow growing plant to stop
growing all together.
Water: Many varieties of peperomia are succulents;
although the most popular indoor variety, caperata, is not. All types of peperomia need to dry out before you water. Root
rot, caused by over watering, is the main reason these plants die. Peperomias do well when watered from the bottom.
Let your plant sit in a saucer of water for ten minutes. It will absorb what it needs; then empty the saucer.
Temperature: Peperomias are from the rain forests of Brazil and like a warm humid environment.
Temperatures between 68-75 degrees are best. Temperatures below 50-55 degrees and cold drafts from windows and doors damage
the leaves.
Fertilizer: Fertilize monthly in the spring and summer with
a basic houseplant food at ½ strength. It’s not necessary to feed a peperomia in the fall and winter.
Pests and diseases: Mealy bugs can be a problem, but the green solution works well in controlling them. A more serious problem is ringspot, a virus that marks the leaves with unsightly round marks.
Unfortunately there is no good treatment for this virus so damaged leaves and even the entire infected plant may have
to be thrown out.
Propagation: Peperomias are easily propagated from stem
tip cuttings and root ball division.
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| Photo copyright Monika Adamczyk |
PEPEROMIA FAQ’S
1. Someone told me that peperomias are poisonous. Is that true?
The leaves and stems of a peperomia do contain
an alkaloid so they are considered poisonous.
2. I am keeping my peperomia very
dry but it is still losing leaves.
You are probably not watering it enough. Leaves will fall off if the plant
gets too dry.
3. My peperomia is getting brown tips and edges. Is this too much
water?
No, your plant is getting too cold. Be sure it’s not on a cold windowsill or near a door in the winter.
4. Can you give me the names of some peperomia that do well indoors.
My
favorites are: emerald ripple, a bushy table plant with quilted green leaves; cupid, a hanging variety; and watermelon, grayish
stripes on green leaves.
5. My peperomia was doing well all year until this winter.
Now the stems are soggy and the plant seems to be dying.
In cool weather, these plants need less water. Cut back
on your water, let the plant dry out, and eliminate any plant food.
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