Peperomia
( pep - uh - ROH - mee - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Radiator Plants, this large genus of compact perennial shrubs and vines is mainly native to Central and South America. Species vary considerably in appearance, and many are kept as ornamental houseplants. These plants are not toxic to household pets or humans. Peperomia plants love heat and humidity, and are wonderful in bright light conditions, but can also tolerate low-light conditions if necessary.
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Peperomia Species and Varietals
The genus Peperomia includes over 1,000 species, and is a member of the plant family Piperaceae. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Peperomia argyreia (Watermelon Peperomia) Native to northern South America, this species reaches about 8 inches tall at maturity and produces green leaves with lighter markings reminiscent of the skin of a watermelon. Tiny green flower spikes appear in summertime. These plants prefer bright light and cannot tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. |
Peperomia bellendenkerensis This species of Peperomia is native to Queensland, Australia, and is a small succulent herb that reaches about 6 inches tall. It was discovered and published by the Czech botanist Karel Domin in 1921, and was named for the second tallest mountain in Queensland, Mount Bellenden Ker. |
Peperomia caperata (Emerald Ripple Peperomia, Ripple Peperomia) This Brazilian native species reaches just 8 inches tall and wide, and has corrugated, heart-shaped leaves. In summertime, white flower spikes rise from the foliage and bloom. These plants are popularly cultivated as greenhouse specimens or indoor plants. Popular cultivars include 'Luna Red', 'Frost', and 'Emerald Ripple'. |
Peperomia clusiifolia This interesting species of Peperomia produces light green flower spikes and succulent, cupped leaves, usually edged in red or maroon. This species is popularly cultivated as a houseplant, and many varieties have been developed for sale, including 'Variegata', 'Jellie', 'Tricolor', 'Rainbow', 'Ginny', and 'Red Margin'. |
Peperomia eburnea (Marble Peperomia, False Philodendron) Native to Colombia and Ecuador, this species has a creeping or trailing habit and grows naturally in wet, tropical biomes. Foliage is velvety green to dark bluish-green, and often has a single white stripe and red spots on the undersides of leaves. |
Peperomia enervis This species grows naturally on tree trunks and moss-covered rocks in its native range in northern Queensland, Australia. These plants were first described by botanists Ferdinand von Mueller and Casimir de Candolle, who published the species in 1891. The specific epithet enervis refers to the seemingly vein-less leaves. Flowers bloom January to May and are followed by dark brown berries. |
Peperomia ferreyrae (Peperomia Green Bean, Happy Bean Plant) This species is native to Peru and reaches about 8 inches tall at maturity. These plants look a bit different from most other forms of the genus, producing succulent, lanceolate leaves that are bright green to chartreuse in color, depending on the variety grown. Leaves resemble green bean pods, hence the common name Happy Bean Plant. |
Peperomia fraseri (Flowering Pepper) Native to Colombia and Peru, this species of Peperomia forms a small shrub with heart shaped glossy, green, semi-succulent leaves. These plants produce a more noticeable floral inflorescence than other species in the genus. Pure white blooms form on a bottlebrush-like spike and are subtly fragrant. |
Peperomia galioides (Needle-Leaf Wax Plant, Pine Peperomia) These plants are native to Central and South America, and is an herbaceous semi-succulent perennial. They are primarily epiphytic plants, and contain essential oil compounds that are used in traditional medicine. When crushed, foliage has a lemony scent to it. |
Peperomia glabella (Cypress Peperomia, Wax Privet) This species' native range is from southern North America down through central South America. These plants can grow as epiphytes or as terrestrial scramblers, and are commonly grown as houseplants. They can either form rosettes of leaves or have a trailing habit in indoor cultivation. Leaves are oval-shaped, glossy and green. Flower spikes are green-white. |
Peperomia griseoargentea (Ivy Peperomia) Native to Brazil, these plants form basal rosettes of silver and dark grey-green. with heavy curved veining. Commonly cultivated as a houseplant. Minimum temperature these plants will tolerate is 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Ivy Peperomia reaches 20 inches tall and is just as wide. |
Peperomia guttulata (Baby's Tears) Native to Ecuador, this species produces a plant with glossy green semi-succulent leaves and small white flowers on short spikes. Stems are reddish and wiry, and these plants are upright when very young, taking on a trailing, matting habit as they age. This species is great for use in terrariums. |
Peperomia hirta (Mouse Ears Peperomia) Native from Mexico down through Panama, this species of Peperomia produces muted light greenish-blue leaves that have a downy covering. These plants prefer to grow in wet, tropical biomes and are fantastic terrarium specimens. These plants have a trailing habit. |
Peperomia incana (Felted Pepperface, Felted Peperomia) This species, native to Brazil, produces thick, dark grey-green cordate leaves that covered with a fuzzy, felt-like down. These plants are known for their compact, trailing habit and prefer bright, indirect light. Felted Peperomia is commonly cultivated as a houseplant, and prefers a temperature of between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. |
Peperomia pellucida (Man to Man, Shining Bush Plant, Pepper Elder, Clear Weed) These plants reach between 6 and 15 inches tall at maturity, and have fleshy green heart-shaped leaves that have a mustard smell to them when crushed. Flower infloresences are small, green to white, and rise above the foliage. |
Peperomia prostrata (String of Turtles, Trailing Peperomia) This species is endemic to Ecuador, and is considered to be somewhat rare in houseplant cultivation. It is a delicate, vining plant with round, commonly variegated leaves that resemble very small turtle shells. White to reddish flower spikes form in spring and summertime. |
Peperomia quadrangularis (Beetle Peperomia, String of Beetles) These plants are native to South and Central America as well as the West Indies, where they are commonly found growing on trees and rocks. Stems are square, and leaves are small and green, marked with lighter green lines. Adventitious roots will sometimes grow at nodes instead of leaves. |
Peperomia rotundifolia (Jade Necklace, Creeping Buttons, Round Leaf Peperomia) This species produces small, trailing shoots with rounded, button-like green leaves. Vines will twine and weave together, and spill over the sides of containers. These plants are wonderful for indoor hanging baskets. There are a few notable forms of this species, including ovata, pilosior, subelliptica, subglabrilimba, and obcordata. |
Peperomia serpens (Vining Peperomia) This species is native to the New World Tropics, and is commonly kept as a small, trailing houseplant with succulent green leaves. Flower stalks rise above the foliage in spring or summertime, and are yellow-green to whitish. This species is commonly confused with (and erroneously sold under the name of) a few other species, including Peperomia nitida, Peperomia dimota, and Peperomia subrotundifolia. |
Caring for Peperomia
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Colocasia plants are susceptible to the following issues and pests:
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Gallery
Videos
How to grow your very own Peperomia indoor plant.
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Caring for Peperomia plants.
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Learn the Peperomia basics.
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How to propagate your Peperomia plant in two ways.
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Learn about five species of Peperomia you should be on the look out for.
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All about Peperomia obtusifolia.
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Resources
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