Sometimes referred to as baby rubber plant, peperomia is a commonly grown, low-maintenance houseplant.
The genus of peperomia includes over 1,000 species presently recorded.
There is bound to be at least one that would grow well in your home.
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Wide-Ranging Foliage Types
Grown for their foliage, peperomias are varied in their appearance.
In general, they feature thick, fleshy leaves that store water.
Ripple peperomias, one of the more popular species, have puckered and ruffled foliage.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Flower Blooms
The flowers of peperomias are far from showy.
In a home setting, blooming is a rare occurrence.
The blooms are long, narrow stalks often in a green or brown color that doesn’t resemble flowers.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Cut off the blooms to conserve the plants energy and redirect its focus towards lush foliage growth.
They are low-maintenance, tolerant of most lighting conditions found in the home, and pet- and kid-friendly.
Direct sunlight should be avoided.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Since peperomia likes humidity, a kitchen orbathroom would be a hospitable location.
Peperomia Care Tips
Peperomias are one of theeasiest houseplants to grow in your home.
Light
Peperomias tolerate a wide variety of light conditions.
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Many of the smaller-leafvarieties will grow wonderfully in low light.
Soil and Water
When growing peperomias in containers, verify toplant them in well-drained soil.
A quick way to kill peperomias is with too much water or too heavy soil.
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However, most peperomias perform almost as well in less-moist areas of your house.
This is why manypeperomias are succulent in nature.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Reduce the frequency to once a month during fall and winter.
Those extra pieces that you remove can be propagated to create more plants.
They are alsofine being pot-bound, and caution should be taken when repotting.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
This entanglement can prevent nutrients from being absorbed.
Isolate the affected plant from any other plants andspray with neem oilor insecticidal soap.
Types of Peperomia
Japanese Peperomia
Peperomia japonicahas 12-inch-wide oval leaves with a rippled texture.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Pinkish-red stems contrast nicely with the green leaves.
‘Jayde’ Peperomia
Peperomia polybotrya’Jayde' has shinyteardrop-shaped leavesup to 4 inches in diameter.
It grows up to 18 inches tall.
Ripple Peperomia
Peperomia caperataderives its name from its deeply crinkled, waxy leaves.
‘Red Luna’ has reddish leaves, and ‘Metallica’ has leaves marked with silvery gray.
‘Emerald Ripple’ is the standard green leaf variety.
Stems and leaf edges are red.
It is also sometimes called baby rubber plant.
Teardrop Peperomia
Peperomia orbais a dwarf plant that stays about 6 inches tall.
‘Pixie’ and ‘Princess Astrid’ are a couple of the commonly available varieties.
Silverleaf Peperomia
Peperomia griseoargenteahas metallic silvery green leaves with a rippled texture.
The deep green leaf veins stand in strong contrast to the silvery wash on the upper leaf surface.
It is a small plant, remaining about 6 inches tall.
It grows only 6 to 8 inches tall.
It is sometimes called watermelon begonia, although it is not related to begonias.
