Peperomia do not demand a huge amount of care. Most species are relatively slow growers and hence they do not outgrow their containers that quickly. That should save you much time from pruning and repotting them. In addition, they require average humidity and non-variegated species are not light hungry, which make them ideal inhabitants on a bright windowsill. They are also relatively disease-proof and pest-free. Finally, Peperomia also do not require frequent watering and are not heavy feeders - good for busy and forgetful individuals! Peperomia
are herbaceous plants that originate from South America. They have
been reclassified into a family to call their own - Peperomiaceae.
Previously, these delightful plants have been grouped under the
Piperaceae or pepper family. The name 'Peperomia' is derived from
the Greek words 'peperi' and 'homoios', which referred to their
resemblence to the true pepper plant. Peperomia produce curious-looking
inflorescenes look like tails of the rat. PEPEROMIA
- PLANTS OF MANY HABITS You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to Peperomia. Depending on the occasion and feel, you can select a plant according to their distinct growth habits. Some Peperomia are upright plants that sport thick leaves. Others grow as a compact rosette like an African violet. There are a handful of species that are vine-like where their weak stems sprawl over the pots. New Peperomia species and their cultivars are constantly being introduced into the market, which feature plants with interesting leaf shapes, textures and variegations. Below
is a list of Peperomia species and their cultivars that have
been spotted in Singapore nurseries at the time of writing. The Upright species This group of Peperomia has waxy, thick, leathery leaves that are borne on rather sturdy stems. Some species from this group will trail a bit with time as the stem elongates. They make very elegant and stately specimens when displayed on their own on top of a table. Plants that are sold in the nursery may be recently rooted cuttings so do check for a well-developed root system prior purchase!
Rosette species The rosette Peperomia are very compact, bushy plants and they are the signature plants that represent the Peperomia genus when you open up a book on houseplants published in the West. Many species from this group have very interesting leaf shapes and variegations, which make them very suitable to be either displayed alone in a trendy cache pot or they can be grouped together inside a shallow azalea pot to make a group display or dish garden.
Trailing species The Peperomia species in this group have either succulent or wiry stems. Young plants that have just been struck from cuttings hold their stems erect. With time, the stems will prostrate as the vines get longer. Plants from this group are very often used in hanging baskets or planted along the sides of large planters to soften the edges.
CULTURE Light Plants require bright sunlight and a good position for all Peperomias is one that receives filtered sunlight. Peperomia do not like direct sunlight as their leaf colours will be bleached. As usual, the all-green varieties are more tolerant of shade. The upright species are often grown on the office desk where light is severely lacking and growth often stagnates due to the lack of light. All variegated Peperomia cultivars are not forgiving when light requirements are concerned. They will quickly revert to all green when there is insufficient light. Water Never overwater Peperomia. Allow the potting mix to dry out before the next watering. The plant should never be allowed to have wet feet, especially the rosette species which are very prone to crown rot. Some people have resorted to watering plants by standing the pot in a saucer of water. This prevents water from getting trapped within the crown of plants. Due to these reasons, Peperomia are not exactly suitable for outdoor growing in the tropics due to the liability to rot under perpetually wet conditions during the rainy monsoon season. Feeding Fertilize monthly with a soluble balanced fertilizer. Slow-release fertilisers can be used too. Potting Grow plants in a porous mix that has good drainage, for example, 2 parts of sifted burnt earth and 1 part of organic material like cocopeat, compost or top soil. Peperomia like to be pot bound and hence transplant them only when roots are peeking out of the drainage holes beneath the pot. Do not overpot the plant and choose a new pot that will allow about 2 cm between the rim of the pot and the root ball. Propagation Upright and trailiing species Plants from this group can be easily propagated from stem-cuttings. Take tip cuttings and stick them into a well-drain mix. Stems can be allowed to root in a glass of water. Cuttings will usually take root in about a fortnight's time. Rosette species Rosette species are most commonly propagated via leaf cuttings but very crowded clumps can also be divided. To propagate rosette Peperomias via leaf cuttings, take a leaf with a little bit of stem attached to it. Coat the leaf stalk with a small amount of rooting hormone and them stick this end into some moist potting mixture. Cover with a plastic bag to conserve moisture but do air the set-up occasionally if excessive moisture builds up and this will prevent rotting. New plants will start from the base of the leaves.
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