The indoor plant peperomia (Peperomia) is an evergreen perennial belonging to the Pepper family (Piperaceae).
The name of the plant is derived from the Greek words "peperi" - pepper and "omos" - similar, the same.
Peperomia is native to the tropical regions of America and Asia. Grows in forests in the shade of trees, on loose peat soils, rotten tree trunks, sometimes found on rocks.
Peperomia is a low-growing plant with a height of 15 cm to half a meter. Most often herbaceous, but epiphytes and dwarf shrubs are found. It always has thickened shoots. The fleshy leaves are located opposite, they can have different shapes, the color is also varied: green, brownish, golden and other colors, they can have spots, lines, veins of a variegated color. The flowers are small, dioecious (bisexual), gather in thin cylindrical spikelets. Flowering appears under conditions of short daylight hours. The fruits are small berries, they are dryish in texture, they are easily separated from the touch.
Home care for peperomia
Choice of location and lighting
Lighting must be diffused, without direct sunlight.
The best place for the plant will be east or west windows. On the south windows, you can create diffused lighting using translucent fabric or paper. Forms with green leaves can be lightly shaded, but variegated plants need diffused light.
Add extra lighting in winter. Use fluorescent lamps. Place them about half a meter above the plant. Illumination should be at least 8 hours a day. Peperomia can live in completely artificial light - daylight hours should be 16 hours.
Temperature regime
The plant is kept at room temperature all year round. In spring and summer, the temperature should be 20-22 ° C, in autumn and winter, a temperature regime is required in the range of 18-22 ° C, but not lower than 16 ° C.
The plant is afraid of drafts (it is better not to take it outside) and hypothermia of the soil (the substrate temperature should not fall below 17-20 ° C).
Watering and humidity
Water abundantly in spring and summer, and moderately in fall and winter. Water for irrigation needs warm (about 2-3 ° C warmer than room temperature). Between waterings, the soil in the pot should dry out almost completely.
Excessive moisture is dangerous by rotting of the root system and stems. But prolonged overdrying of the earthen coma will provoke wilting and further leaf fall, however, resumption of watering can return the plant to normal. So it is better to slightly dry the soil than to flood it.
Air humidity does not play a special role. Keep it optimal (about 50-60%). In the summer, you can sometimes spray the leaves; in the winter, this is not necessary. The gray-haired type of paperomia cannot be sprayed.
Top dressing
In the period from spring to autumn, it is necessary to apply complex fertilizers for decorative growing plants twice a month. In winter, fertilizing is required monthly.
Crown formation and transplant
The tops of the shoots must be pinched over 4-5 leaves so that the bush is more branched.
Young plants need to be transplanted every year in the spring, with the age of more than 3 years - once every two years. The capacity is not required deep. For each repotting, increase the size of the pot 1.5 times the size of the previous one.
The soil is required to be loose, breathable, with a neutral reaction. A mixture of leafy earth, peat, humus and sand is suitable. Leafy earth forms the basis, take 2-3 parts of it, and the rest of the components one at a time. Can be grown hydroponically. Be sure to lay drainage at the bottom of the container.
Reproduction of peperomia
Peperomia plant by seed and vegetative methods (leaf and stem cuttings, dividing the bush).
Growing from seeds
- Sow seeds in wide bowls.
- Soil is needed from 1 part sand and 1 part leafy earth.
- Moisten the soil, spread the seeds over the surface without deepening.
- Cover the crops with glass or transparent film on top. Maintain the air temperature within 24-25 ° С. Irrigate seedlings from a fine spray.
- With the appearance of two real sheet of glasses, dive the seedlings into the boxes, keeping a distance of about 4 cm between them. Leave the composition of the soil the same.
- After a dive, young plants need illumination, bright, diffused, protected from direct sunlight.
- Plant the hardened plants one at a time in pots with a diameter of 5-7 cm. The composition of the soil is as follows: one part of leaf and peat soil, 0.5 parts of turf and sand.
Propagation by cuttings
- Reproduction is carried out in the spring and summer.
- Cut off the apical or stem cutting, it should contain 1-3 nodes.
- You can root the cuttings in water and soil (mix in equal proportions humus-leaf, peat soil and sand). When rooting in the ground, cover with a cap.
- Maintain the air temperature between 24-25 ° C and rooting will take place in 3-4 weeks. Further care is the same as for seedlings.
Leaf propagation
Leaves are also suitable for rooting. Plant them with a short stalk in the sand using wide bowls. Cover the top with foil or glass. Rooting will take place within 25 days. Next, plant the new plants in 7 cm pots.
Dividing the bush
- the simplest and most popular breeding method, ideal for novice growers. Moisten the soil, carefully remove the plant from the pot, separate the roots by hand. Divide the cuttings into separate pots. In the first week after transplanting, it is advisable to protect the plant from direct sunlight.
Diseases and pests of peperomia
Possible growing problems and their causes:
- The leaves suddenly fall off from the low air temperature, the gradual fall is provoked by irregular watering.
- The leaves shrivel, wither from the excess of light.
- The edges and tips of the leaves turn brown from drafts and a sharp drop in temperature.
- The leaves fade, wither, become covered with spots of rot (including the stems) - the soil is highly waterlogged, especially in combination with a low air temperature.
The plant can be damaged by such plants as spider mites, thrips, scale insects, mealy worms, nematodes. Treat the plant with insecticides.
Types of peperomia with photos and names
Peperomia velvety Peperomia velutina
A herbaceous plant with erect, slightly pubescent stems of a dark red color. Leaves can be bare, slightly or velvety-pubescent. The shape of the leaf plate is rounded, the leaves are attached on short petioles, arranged alternately. The green leaves are covered with 5-7 veins of a lighter, almost silvery shade. Flowering is apical axillary ears about 7 cm long. The native land of the species is Ecuador.
Peperomia silvery Peperomia argyreia or Peperomia peltifolia
Perennial terrestrial or epiphytic plant, practically stemless. The leaves are collected in a basal rosette, attached to long (more than 10 cm) petioles of a reddish hue. The leaf plate has a rounded-oval shape, is 8-12 cm long, the color is green with wide stripes of a white-silver hue. Leaves are fleshy, glabrous, shiny. The habitat in the natural environment is the tropics of Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil.
Peperomia clusiformis Peperomia clusiifolia
Grassy terrestrial. The leaves are large (about 15 cm long and 6-8 cm wide), very dense in texture, almost woody, arranged alternately on the stem. The base of the leaf plate is wedge-shaped, the apex is obtuse, slightly notched. The leaves are practically sessile, attached on short petioles. The leaves are dark green in color with a reddish tint, along the edge there is a narrow strip of purple color.
The variegated form Variegata is cultivated - the leaves are less dense. The color is variegated: along the vein, dark green with a grayish tinge then turns into milky white, yellowish, the edges are framed with a red border.
Peperomia multi-spotted Peperomia maculosa
It is a perennial terrestrial herb. The leaves are basal, thick, glossy, round-ovate in shape, 12-20 cm long. The color is dark green, the veins are almost white (especially medium). Shoots are covered with brown spots. Inflorescences are long, brownish in color. In nature, it is found in the tropics and on the slopes of the mountains of South America.
Peperomia reddish Peperomia rubella
Herbaceous perennial, terrestrial, branches well. Shoots are thin, reddish in color. The leaves are small, oblong-oval. The color of the leaf plate is green on top, ruby below.
Peperomia marble Peperomia marmorata
Herbaceous perennial, undersized, dense. Leaves are fleshy, heart-oval-shaped. Originally from Brazil.
Peperomia creeping Peperomia serpens aka Peperomia scandens
Perennial epiphytic plant with recumbent, hanging or standing shoots. The leaves have a heart-shaped base and broadly ovate, attached on short petioles, arranged alternately. The color of the leaves is green. In its natural environment, it is found in the rainforests of America.
Peperomia pleasant Peperomia blanda
Perennial epiphyte. Leaves are oval, whole, 3-4 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, opposite, almost whorled. Above, the color of the leaf plate is green, below it is reddish. It is found in the natural environment on the slopes of the tropical forests of Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, the Antilles.
Peperomia shriveled Peperomia caperata
A compact plant no more than 10 cm high. The leaves are shriveled, located very close to each other. The leaves are dark green in color with a chocolate brown tint running along the bottom of the grooves. The veins are deeply embedded in the leaf plate and protrude in relief from below. The petioles are long, slightly ribbed, pale pink in color. The flowering is beautiful: long, thin ears of a snow-white color rise above the dense mass of leaves. Flowering usually occurs in summer. Originally from Brazil.
Peperomia gray Peperomia incana
These are herbaceous perennials, terrestrial or semi-shrubs, reaching heights of up to half a meter. Shoots have a dense white-tomentose pubescence. The leaves are thick, rounded, slightly narrowed at the apex, 5 cm in diameter. The color is green, the pubescence is whitish, the middle vein is pronounced. In their natural environment, they are distributed over the granite rocks of Brazil.
Peperomia blunt-leaved Peperomia obtusifolia
Peperomia obtusifolia home care Peperomia obtusifolia photo
These can be herbaceous land plants with bare shoots or epiphytes. Leaves are elliptical or obovate, obtuse at the apex, 5-12 cm long and 3-5 cm wide, attached on short petioles, arranged alternately. The leaf plates are dense, leathery-fleshy, dark green in color. In the natural environment, it can be found along the river banks and mountain slopes of the tropical forests of South America.
Popular forms of this kind:
Alba - leaves are creamy or milky white;
Albomarginata - the middle of the leaf is colored grayish-green, the edges are silvery;
Peperomia orba Peperomia orba
A beautiful decorative look with leathery, heart-shaped leaves of a pale light green color with a dark green mesh of veins.
Peperomia magnoliaefolia
Peperomia magnolialeaf home care
The species is attractive with a densely leafy crown with rich green leathery leaves, similar to those of magnolia leaves.
Application in room decor and floristry
Due to the original shapes and colors of the leaves, various types of peperomia are grown in botanical gardens in many countries of the world. Florists use to create various decorative groups. The plant looks especially exotic when suspended on a snag, a piece of bark, as well as in florariums.
Peperomia is still little known to Russian home amateur flower growers. But the plant is steadily gaining popularity. Leaves of various shapes and shades will not go unnoticed even in the largest collection of indoor plants. Additional advantages of the flower are compactness (even diminutiveness) and undemanding care. And it is very simple to create comfortable conditions for peperomias.
Pepper's climbing relative with succulent properties
Peperomia is a genus that belongs to the Pepper family (Piperaceae). These are mainly perennial shrubs, but there are also herbaceous plants.... Both are inherent in the features of succulents. The genus can boast of a very extensive representation. According to various sources, in nature, there are from 800 to 1000 species of peperomia. So far, about 50 have successfully adapted to the conditions of modern apartments.
The name of the plant is due to its appearance. Translated from Greek "peperi" means "pepper", omos - "similar, similar." If you cut a leaf, a characteristic scent will spread throughout the room.
Supporters of the Feng Shui teachings have adopted the American nickname peperomia ("friendly family") and recommend that newlyweds or families whose members often disagree and cannot come to an agreement be sure to acquire at least one plant. The flower helps them "get used to" each other and smooth out conflicts, absorbing negativity and spreading the "right" vibes that cause a good mood.
Peperomias are found in almost any rainforest. Especially many of them have been found in South and Central America, Southeast Asia, and India. Under the canopy of the jungle, peperomia can exist both as a common plant, receiving food from the soil, and as an epiphyte, rooting on tree trunks.
The ability of peperomia to store moisture and nutrients (a quality inherent in all succulents) is evidenced by juicy, fleshy stems and thick dense leaves. In some varieties, the distance between the leaves is minimal - the stems are literally stuck with them, the plant itself resembles a rosette.
The shape of the leaves, depending on the species, is significantly different (they are almost round, ovoid, heart-shaped, lanceolate, but always whole and with a short petiole). Norm - soft short edge on both or one side, "wrinkle". But most peperomias have smooth, shiny leaves. Even a plain sheet plate looks very elegant, not to mention the varieties with various patterns in the form of spots, stripes, strokes.
The palette is very rich - in addition to the traditional green color, the leaves can be brownish, golden, silver, olive, dark emerald.
Peperomia often blooms, even at home, but this phenomenon often causes anxiety in flower growers, especially beginners. Her flowers are completely different from what most people associate with flowers. They are very small, collected in thin whitish curving ears, similar to mouse tails, the petal is absent. A healthy adult plant produces 12–15 inflorescences at the same time. If you do not know exactly what it is, it is quite possible to suspect some kind of exotic disease, picked up by a flower in their historical homeland.
After 1.5–2 months, the ear is covered with the smallest dry balls. Ripe fruits are separated from it with a light touch.
In optimal conditions, flowering can generally last almost all year. Peperomia does not need a rest period.
The plant is compact, even diminutive. The highest peperomias do not grow more than 60 cm. The average is 35–40 cm.
The flower looks great in aquariums and bottle gardens.
Peperomia cannot boast of growth rate (about 15 cm annually). First, it is an upright bush. As they lengthen, the stems begin to sag. If you do not prune, the old shoots located at the bottom will hang freely from the edges of the pot, and the young ones will stick up and to the sides from the middle of the container.
Peperomia is not only beautiful but also beneficial. It has been scientifically proven that it secretes phytoncides that destroy pathogenic bacteria (streptococci, staphylococci, sarcins). Their content in the air decreases by 45–70%. Several pots of plants in a room are an excellent prevention of colds. You can put them in the nursery - peperomia is not poisonous. There is still some evidence to suggest that it has a positive effect on the digestive system and gallbladder.
Varieties that are popular with amateur flower growers: clusialeaf, magnolialeaf, dull-leaved and others
Almost all peperomias found in indoor floriculture are of natural origin. Breeders have not yet taken this plant seriously. Most Popular:
- Velvety (velutina). Below the leaf plate is beetroot-colored and smooth, above it is velvety (except for the veins) and bright green. The veins are highlighted in salad-silver or greenish.
- Clusiaefolia (dusiaefolia). One of the largest representatives of the genus - about 50 cm in height. Leaves 12–15 cm long, hard to the touch, almost “wooden”, green with a reddish tint and a purple border. There is a breeding variety Variegata - olive, cream or reddish-yellow veins and a dark purple border.
- Silver (argyreia), or Sanders (sandersii). Low (up to 30 cm), intensively branching bush. The leaves are arranged very often, as if in rosettes. The petioles are long - about 10 cm and are attached not to the edge of the leaf plate, but almost to its center. In the light, a slight "pearlescent" shine is noticeable.
- Shriveled or wrinkled (Peperomia caperata). The maximum height is 10–12 m. The length of the leaf is no more than 3 cm. Flowering has a certain decorative value - numerous snow-white spikelets look spectacular against the background of dark greenery.
- Pereskiaefolia. Leaves about 5 cm long, elliptical, pointed, very dense.
- Magnolia-leaved (magnoliaefolia). Bush about 40 cm high, intensively branching. The shape of the leaves is very diverse - from almost regular circles to highly elongated ellipses or shovels, pointed at the ends. The selection hybrid Variegata is distinguished by the presence of a pattern in the form of irregular spots of yellowish, silvery-white and cream color.
- Dull-leaved (obtusifolia). It is very similar to magnolia-leaved peperomia, only specialists in the field of botany can distinguish them, highlighting a bush that is slightly more pressed to the ground, less foliage and a more rounded leaf shape. Breeding hybrids - Alba (milky green or creamy leaves), Albo-variegata (light olive center of the leaf plate and an irregularly shaped cream spot around it).
- Whorled (verticillata). Very short and fleshy stems; leaf petioles are almost absent. The length of an olive-colored leaf is no more than 2 cm. The appearance of a plant can vary significantly depending on environmental conditions. The higher the humidity, the greater the intervals between the leaves, they themselves are larger and the edge is smaller.
- Round-leaved (rotundifolia). Very thin (no more than 1–2 mm) brick-colored stems immediately numb, so the plant spreads along the ground. The leaves are small (0.5–0.7 cm in diameter), almost round. The edge on young leaves disappears with age.
- Multi-branch (polybotrya). Herbaceous plant, hardly branches. The leaves are large (8-10 cm), egg-shaped.
- Delicate or pleasant (blanda). Erect stems about 35 cm in height practically do not branch. Leaves patterned with purple spots, drops and borders against a green background that fade with age.
- Spotted, or multi-spotted (maculosa). The leaves are very dark above, below, on the contrary - pale salad. The type of inflorescences is atypical - they reach a height of 45-50 cm, are painted in dark brown color.
- Gray-silver (griseo-argentea). The leaves form "rosettes" lying on the ground, silvery-gray or pale green with a metallic sheen. Selective hybrid - Blackie or Nigra with almost black leaves.
- Peperomia Fraser, or Fraser (fraseri), or reseda (resedaeflora). From below, the leaves "curl" into rosettes, from above the intervals between them increase. The inflorescences are quite beautiful - the flowers are collected in snow-white panicles, consisting of individual thin spikelets (a bit like mignonette). There is even a scent.
- Reddish (rubella). The stems are thin, drooping, with a reddish tint, the leaves have the same shade below. They are very small.
- Creeping (serpens). Well suited for ampel cultivation.
- Gray-haired (incana). Quite tall dwarf shrub, densely pubescent with white "nap".
- Peperomia Rosso (rosso). The leaves are very elongated in length and fit tightly to each other, forming something that looks like flowers or stars. The species, in principle, does not bloom.
- Peperomia Happy Bean. The leaves are similar in shape to legume pods - this is the reason for the name. They are quite thin, they do not unfold completely. The bush is about 15–20 cm high.
- Naked or heady (glabella). The stems are very thin, with a pinkish tinge. Leaves no more than 5 cm long, almost round.
- Marble (marmorata). The pattern imitates the veins on marble. The largest leaves are located at the edges and below on longer petioles. In the center of the bush, they are much smaller.
- Golden leaf (aurea). From above, the leaf plate resembles a mosaic made of dark green, yellowish and golden pieces of glass.
- Peperomia Foster (fosteriana). The pattern repeats the veins in light green.
- Peperomia Caperata Lillian (caperata Lillian). Snow-white inflorescences are similar to the bell of a gramophone or a lily.
Photo gallery: Peperomia Caperata Lillian, shriveled, round-leaved and other domestic species with different shapes and colors of the leaf
Lillian Caperata flowers look like miniature lilies 
Peperomia Foster 
Young leaves are most beautiful in peperomia golden-leaved 
Peperomia marble quite successfully imitates the characteristic pattern 
Peperomia leaves naked look like coins 
Peperomia Happy Bean does not unfold even fully formed leaves to the end 
Rosso's peperomia seems to have no stems at all 
Gray peperomia should not be sprayed - this negatively affects the decorative effect of the leaves. 
Peperomia creeping in nature is a climbing vine 
Peperomia reddish has very small leaves. 
Peperonia Fraser, unlike other species, blooms quite nicely 
The leaves of peperomia are gray-silver, as if a metallized coating is applied. 
In peperomia, the spotted leaf plate has a spectacular contrast. 
Peperomia tender - very ornamental plant 
In peperomia, the multi-leaf stalk is attached to the leaf in a very unusual way. 
The round-leaved peperomia has very thin stems. 
Peperomia verticulata changes appearance, adapting to environmental conditions 
Only a botanist can distinguish blunt-leaved peperomia from magnolia-leaved peperomia. 
The dark scarlet stems of magnolialeaf peperomia contrast beautifully with the bright green of the leaves 
Peperomia pereskielistnaya is well suited for growing by the ampel method 
Wrinkled pereromia is one of the most popular types in home floriculture. 
In the sun, the peperomia silvery slightly shimmers with mother-of-pearl 
Peperomia kusielistnaya is a creation of nature, although it is difficult to believe in it 
Peperomia velvety has very showy dark leaves. 
Chisel-shaped peperomia is distinguished by unusually "folded" leaves
Sometimes in flower shops you can see something called "peperomia mix". This is not any special variety, but several varieties of plants, most often of the smallest ones, planted together in one pot.
How to create suitable conditions for your plant at home
The area of peperomia is hot and humid forests. At the same time, which is quite atypical for tropical plants, it is practically indifferent to humidity and will not require a florist to turn the apartment into a sauna. The flower does not have a pronounced rest period, therefore the conditions remain constant throughout the year.
Table: microclimate required by peperomia
| Factor | Recommendations |
| Location |
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| Lighting |
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| Temperature |
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| Humidity |
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Planting and transplanting
It is better not to disturb peperomia unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, only plants under 3 years old are transplanted annually. Adult flowers are transferred to a new pot every 2-3 years, in early spring. The smaller the leaves, the more often the plants are transplanted.
The time for transplantation has clearly come, if the peperomia almost stops growing without any additional alarming symptoms, the roots stick out from the drainage hole. The potting medium is already overly compacted, and the flower doesn't like it.
The capacity is selected low, but wide, each time increasing its diameter by about 1.5 times. Too large a pot is undesirable - peperomia does not differ in its growth rate anyway, and in this case all forces will be spent on "mastering" the new space by the root system.
The substrate is prepared in such a way that neither air nor moisture lingers in it:
- Universal soil for succulents, leaf humus, peat chips and coarse river sand (5: 2: 2: 2).
- Soil for palms or ficuses and perlite or vermiculite (8: 1).
- Leafy garden soil, humus, chopped coconut fiber or moss, small (1-3 mm in diameter) expanded clay (roughly equal).
However, soil problems can be avoided by growing peperomias hydroponically.
Plants look very impressive in compositions that recreate their natural habitat, for example, on snags or in moss.
The transplant procedure is simple:
- Fill a third of the new pot with drainage. It is advisable to add at least a few pieces of charcoal.
- Spread a layer of substrate 1.5–2 cm thick on top. Moisten slightly and let the water absorb.
- Remove the plant from the container and place it in a new pot together with the earthy clod.
- Pour soil between the flower and the walls of the pot in small portions, gently tamp. The ground should be 1–1.5 cm below the edge.
- Water moderately with peperomia again, remove to a warm place, provide partial shade.
- After 12-15 days, you can return the pot to the “place of permanent residence”.
Video: how to transplant peperomia
How to care for
Peperomia is quite unpretentious. But the plant responds with gratitude to care, delighting the grower with lush green or colorful leaf caps.
Watering
The only thing that can cause difficulties for novice growers is watering. With excessive moisture, the roots of peperomia quickly rot. Therefore, it is important to find a "middle ground" and constantly adjust the intervals between procedures, based on the air temperature in the apartment and outside.
Water is poured into the pot until bubbles appear on the surface. Then wait 25-30 minutes and drain the excess from the pallet. Between two waterings, the soil should dry out, but not so much that it begins to move away from the edges of the pot.
If in doubt, remember that the absence of moisture peperomia, thanks to "internal reserves", tolerates much easier than its excess. But you should not "test" the flower regularly - the leaves will begin to dry and fall off.
For irrigation, use only water that has settled for at least a day and warmed up to a temperature 2-3 ºС higher than now indoors. If there is no soft melt water or rainwater, add a few citric acid granules to your regular tap water. It neutralizes excess chlorine and fluorine.
Top dressing
Fertilizers are applied only during the active growing season, from about mid-March to the end of October, every 15–20 days. Any liquid mineral complex designed specifically for succulents or for decorative leafy indoor plants will do. The concentration recommended by the manufacturer is reduced by 1.5–2 times.
If the condition of the flower does not suit you in winter, you can apply fertilizer, but not more often than once a month.
Pruning for simple and ampelous cultivation
To achieve greater "bushiness", each shoot of peperomia is pinched, removing about a fifth of the length. If you carry out the procedure regularly, the bush will become almost spherical.
In peperomia grown by the ampel method, on the contrary, long shoots along the edges of the pot are not touched, and in the center the vegetation is cut off, leaving about a third of the length.
Possible growing errors
In general, peperomias stoically react to "adversity" caused by the inexperience of the grower, but their decorative effect can be significantly affected. Therefore, it is important to know what you need to take to correct your own mistakes.
Table: brown tips, leaf spots and other consequences of improper care
| External manifestations | Probable cause |
| The leaves, starting from the lowest ones, dry and fall off. | The plant lacks moisture. Reduce watering intervals. |
| First, the very tips, then the entire "border" of the leaf plate turn brown and dry. | The flower stands in a draft and / or there are frequent sudden changes in air temperature in the room. |
| The leaves lose their tone and color, gray-brown spots spread on the stems. | Rot develops due to too much watering, especially if the room is cooler than the flower needs. |
| The leaves become wrinkled, wither, deformed. | Peperomia got a sunburn. Shade the pot or find another place for it. |
| Healthy-looking leaves fall off abruptly and en masse. | The room is too cold. |
Diseases and insects dangerous to plants
The main thing that a grower should be wary of is root rot. But there are some insects that, if not dealt with, can destroy the flower.
Table: from what diseases and pests peperomia suffers
| Disease or pest | Symptoms | How to handle |
| At the base of the stems and petioles, rapidly expanding "wet" gray-brown spots appear, then spreading to the leaves. The roots soften, become slimy. | Any rot is very difficult to treat. You can save a flower only if you start taking action, detecting the disease at an early stage.
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| Mealybug | The bottom plate looks like it is sprinkled with flour. At the same time, a sticky translucent discharge appears. |
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| Thrips | Thin short "strokes" of beige appear on the leaves - patches of dead tissue. The leaf plate acquires a silvery hue, becomes unpleasantly sticky, and deforms. |
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| Shield | Stems and leaves underneath are covered with almost flat rounded grayish-brown outgrowths. The tissues around them turn yellow, dry and die off. |
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| Nematodes | On the leaves, rapidly growing areas of dead tissue of irregular shape appear. They deform, wither and dry out. On the roots there are dark spherical swellings. |
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| Spider mite | The petioles of the leaves are "woven" to the stems with the thinnest almost transparent filaments, similar to cobwebs. Affected leaves dry out very quickly. |
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Photo gallery: diseases and pests of peperomia
Mealybug is able to destroy the plant in a short time
Root rot is a disease that can be cured only if it is noticed on time Reproduction
Reproduction of peperomia is a simple procedure that even a novice florist can handle. There is no shortage of planting material.
Generative method - it is possible and not difficult
Peperomia seeds are easy to obtain. Even at home, the plant blooms willingly. Ripe seeds are put in paper bags and stored in a dark, dry, cool place until March-April.
Sowing order:
- Shallow flat containers are filled with a mixture of coarse river sand and universal soil for decorative leafy indoor plants.
- The soil is watered moderately.
- The seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil and sprinkled on top with a layer of soil 1.5–2 mm thick.
- The plantings are sprayed from a spray bottle and covered with glass, plastic wrap, creating a greenhouse.
- Seeds are provided with bright light and a constant temperature of 24-27 ºС.Bottom heating desirable... The greenhouse is ventilated daily for 5–7 minutes, preventing condensation and the development of rot.
- As it dries, the soil is sprayed.
- Seedlings with 1-2 adult leaves are planted in small individual containers in a mixture of peat chips, universal soil, fertile turf and sand (2: 2: 1: 1).
- When 5–6 leaves appear (after about six months), peperomias are transplanted into pots with a diameter of 7–8 cm, and are looked after as if they were adult plants.
Rooting cuttings
The peperomia stalk is the top of the shoot or the middle part of the stem cleared of leaves. Be sure to have at least one (preferably 2-3) "nodes" - growth points. Rooting occurs on average in 8 cases out of 10.
You can even use a leaf, but only taken from a plant not younger than 3 years old, completely healthy and with a petiole shortened to a minimum.
- Cuttings are cut in late spring or early summer with a sharp, disinfected knife.
- The planting material is cut downwards into a container with a solution of any root formation stimulator or potassium permanganate for 2-3 hours.
- The slices are sprinkled with crushed chalk or activated carbon, the cuttings are dried for about a day.
- Peperomias are rooted in water, sand, vermiculite, peat chips, moss. Apical cuttings are stuck into the substrate with a cut down, stem cuttings are laid horizontally.
- The plantings are covered with glass jars or cut plastic bottles, bottom heating and a temperature of 25–27 ºС are provided.
- The substrate is kept slightly moist at all times.
- Under optimal conditions, the roots will appear in 20-25 days. Wait another week, transplant the cuttings into normal soil and care as usual.
Dividing a bush when transplanting into a new pot
The division of a large peperomia bush into several small ones occurs simultaneously with the spring transplant. The procedure does not change, only one step is added - the separation of the roots with a sharp, clean knife. Slices for the prevention of rot are sprinkled with crushed activated carbon.
Hello dear readers! This article will discuss such a delightful and useful indoor plant as Peperomia, its types, photos and names. Peperomia as a houseplant has long won the love and popularity of many flower growers, we hope you will like it too. One of the reasons for the popularity of Peperomia was her unpretentious disposition. Even inexperienced flower growers can master her care, and those who are rarely at home. Many people appreciate it for its compactness, which is important for our narrow window sills. But still, the main reason for love for Peperomia is the magnificent color and shape of the foliage.
Despite the fact that Peperomia is a flowering plant, and even some species are capable, its flowers do not have decorative value and do not smell. Flowers appear on long, thick peduncles, more like rat tails or flagella. The flowers are small, inconspicuous, collected in inflorescences, ears, sometimes in spikelets, white, cream or green. But still, the flowering of Peperomia means only one thing that the plant is healthy and quite comfortable for him. The main decorative value is its lacy, ornamented foliage with pronounced veins.
Currently, more than 1000 species of Peperomia are known, but not all of them are suitable for indoor cultivation. Native to the Peperomia rainforests of Central and South America, some species are found in Africa. It is an evergreen perennial plant that belongs to the Pepper (Piperaceae) or Pepper family. All species differ significantly from each other in appearance. The variety of forms, the unique features of each plant will not leave anyone indifferent.
There are bushy plant species, as well as creeping on the ground of the tropical forest, forming a dense carpet, luxurious epiphytes that settled on the bark of trees, small succulents with thick waxy leaves. All of them have an original foliage shape and color: green, striped, marble, edged, wrinkled, red, gray. The shape of the foliage can be round, lanceolate, heart-shaped, and its surface is waxy, wrinkled, velvety, smooth.
The foliage of domesticated Peperomia species is in no way inferior in decorative qualities to its wild counterparts. And you can always choose the most suitable plant for your home. It can be an ampelous type of Peperomia with cascading stems, small bush varieties or in the form of succulents with thick stems and fleshy leaves. Different types of Peperomia get along well with each other in one flower container, and their conditions of detention are similar, all this allows you to create unique bright ensembles from leaves that are varied in texture and color. Any type of plant will not cause you any difficulties in care.
Peperomia grows very slowly, its size is about 20-50 cm, and you do not need to worry about pruning and frequent replanting. It will take several years for the plant to become cramped in its pot. The compactness of Peperomia is due to the fact that it accumulates all moisture and nutrients in thick shoots and elastic waxed or velvety leaves. The root system is a plexus of fragile roots or tubers, depending on the species.
Peperomia beneficial properties
Brightly colored foliage of a rounded shape will certainly tune in to a benevolent mood in the house, smooth out negative energy. It is also believed that the plant has a positive effect on digestion, mammary glands and gallbladder, relieves depression, despondency, anxiety. Stops the development of many viral and bacterial diseases by purifying the air from streptococci and staphylococci. It will be good if you put Peperomia in the kitchen, or in the room of a frequently ill child.
Peperomia, its types, photos and names
All types of Peperomias are conventionally divided into several subspecies - ampelous, bush and succulents
The trumpet species are characterized by cascading, leafy stems that can grow up to 1.5 meters in length. Ampelous plants are used to create incredible beauty forms with the help of special racks, but more often ampelous species are placed in hanging pots, on high shelves and on cabinets.
Ampel types of peperomia photos and names
Peperomia climbing (Peperomia scandens Variegata)
Peperomia creeping (Peperomia serpens)
Like the previous species, it belongs to epiphytic plants, but unlike climbing Peperomia, it has more pointed ovoid leaves. Shoots are erect, growing to the sides or down. The color of the leaves is variegated, green with a creamy edging. The length of the leaves is about 5 cm. It is also undemanding to bright lighting and frequent watering. She is not afraid of the dry air of apartments, but she will be happy to spray to knock down the dust.
Peperomia pereskiafolia
The perennial evergreen Peperomia peresky-leaved in the wild lives in the tropical forests of southern Brazil. Like an epiphyte, it attaches itself to the bark of rotten fallen trees, growing on the ground, intertwining with stems and creating a green carpet. It is not demanding on frequent watering, and it is impossible to flood the plant, this can lead to decay of the root system. The next watering is carried out only after the soil is completely dry. The leaves are elongated, collected in an outlet, bright green in color with pronounced veins, they turn pale in bright light, so place your Peperomia away from daylight, partial shade will be just right. This species loves humid air; during the heating season, spray the plant more often or place it in the kitchen, where the air is more humid than in other rooms.
Peperomia glabella
Another well-known name for the species is Cypress Peperomia, it lives in most of South America, where it grows as an epiphyte or takes root in the soil and crawls on the ground. It has green oval leaves, the brightness of which varies depending on the light, the brighter the light, the dimmer they become. The color of the stems and petioles also depends on the amount of light. Light pink in bright light and bright red in partial shade. Living in tropical forests under dense crowns of trees, Peperomia brassica will withstand bright lighting, but prefers shaded places in the house, does not require frequent watering, the soil must be well drained.
Peperomia rotundifolia
Baby peperomia round-leaved will adorn even the smallest apartment. Its miniature round leaves resemble coins. They cannot stand direct sunlight, the sun's rays can simply burn them. The plant is compact, creeping, very pleasant to the touch, growing forms a dense openwork cap with hanging vines. The brightness of foliage and stems depends on the illumination, the less light, the brighter the color. Watering is moderate, it is undesirable to wet the foliage, it will be better to add water to a saucer under the pot. Various miniature compositions are made from it, used in flower terrariums.
Peperomia beetle (Peperomia angulata)
It is a small decorative leafy plant with creeping stems. The dark green leaves grow in pairs and attract attention with their light green stripes. Loves bright places in the house, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. It grows slowly, has a fragile root system, so transplant it as rarely as possible. Grows normally in dry indoor air, but loves spraying with water and moist soil, without stagnant water.
Shrub Peperomia species, photos and names
There is a huge variety of bush Peperomia species, and many of them can only be found in the wild or in the Botanical Gardens. Domesticated species are not demanding for care, for soil, for frequent watering, have a high survival rate in the dry air of apartments and offices, and low light. Within the framework of the article, it is simply impossible to describe all existing types of bush Peperomia, therefore, we will consider the most prominent representatives of the species, which have a high decorative leaf value and are recommended for novice growers.
Peperomia watermelon
P. watermelon (watermelon) is the common name used for popular species of the genus Peperomia argyreia (silvery). Its foliage really resembles the color of a watermelon rind, alternating stripes of green and silver. A native of South America at home grows as a ground cover plant, occupying the lower tier of a tropical forest, grows no more than 12 cm in height.The leaves are ovoid, fleshy and rather large for such a small plant 5-8 cm in length, grow on thin reddish stems ... Peperomia watermelon blooms, more often in summer. Flowers appear on thin stems and have a greenish tint, but they do not seduce with their beauty or aroma. The plant can be used as an independent home decoration, or for covering earthen voids in a pot, in combination with other taller indoor flowers. However, other flowers should be characterized by the same care rules as Watermelon Peperomia. Moderate watering and partial shade are conditions that are closest to natural, where a small amount of light reaches the ground of a dense tropical forest, making its way through the crown of trees.
Peperomia velutina (Peperomia velutina)
A short plant with red or brown trunks, it grows like a bush. It can reach a height of about 20 cm, and some species up to 50 cm. The leaves are bright green, elongated oval in shape with traced veins. The leaves are covered with a velvety edge. Peperomia velvety blooms in summer, emitting spikelets resembling plantain inflorescences. Unpretentious in care, watering is moderate, but loves daily spraying. As any houseplant brings invaluable benefits, it absorbs formaldehyde from the air and enriches it with oxygen.
Peperomia wrinkled (Peperomia caperata)
Shriveled peperomia is a unifying name for many types of peperomia, characterized by corrugated foliage, with pronounced deep veins. The color of the leaves ranges from dark green to bright red, beetroot hue. The plant is small, no more than 20 cm in height, the leaves are heart-shaped, collected in a lush rosette. It blooms in an original way, releasing high flagella with spikelets of a white, cream shade. In nature, it forms a dense carpet of the rainforest on the soil. Feels great in the shade.
Peperomia shriveled with red foliage P. caperata "Schumi red" photo
Peperomia "Schumi red" belongs to the caperata variety (shriveled), only the foliage is not dark green, but wine-burgundy. The leaves are soft, embossed, oval. As unpretentious as her green relative. It blooms in graceful creamy spikelets that rise above a lush rosette of bright leaves.
Peperomia shriveled (P. caperata "Luna red")
Another representative of the caperata (shriveled) with red leaves is P. caperata "Luna red", a low-growing plant, 20-30 cm in height, has a more pronounced burgundy shade and the same unpretentious disposition.
Peperomia shriveled (P. caperata Rosso)
Treat variety caperata (shriveled)... Elongated embossed leaves are collected in a lush rosette that resembles a star. The plant is unusually interesting in the coloring of the leaves, they are green above and wine-red below, attached to dark red stems. The plant is small, the shoots reach 15-20 cm in height. Elongated narrow inflorescences look like spikelets of plantain. Peperomia Rosso quite exotic for us, but undemanding in care, like other representatives of peperomia.
Peperomia magnoliaefolia
Magnolia-leaved peperomia is a bushy representative of the species with fleshy, strongly branching stems, reaching a height of 30-40 cm. Leaves in the form of wide plates with rounded tips. The color of the leaves is varied, there are species with dark green foliage, green with a cream border or with a variegated pink. Leaves are shiny with a light waxy bloom. It blooms in small, almost invisible flowers, collected on the cob on a long flagellum. Peperomia magnolia-leaved loves bright, but diffused light. It is painful to relate to changes in conditions of detention, so provide her with a permanent place, regular moderate watering, periodic spraying in the heat and heating season.
Peperomia clusiifolia (Peperomia clusiifolia)
In peperomia clusiform foliage, elastic, fleshy, elongated oval shape with a wedge-like base. The color of the leaves ranges from dark green to mixed shades of green, cream and variegated ruby. The plant itself can grow up to 50 cm in height. The fleshy stems point upward. It blooms with elongated, upward-looking light green spikelets, similar to dense flagella. Like any representative of peperomias, she is not demanding on light, but does not tolerate drafts and temperature changes, so keep her not on the windowsill, but in the back of the room. The roots are fragile and short, about 1 cm, rot when moisture stagnates in the ground, so let the soil dry completely before watering again. In the photo, one of the representatives of the Peperomia clusielist - Peperomia clusiifolia "Variegata", with bold foliage, green heart, narrow cream border and purple border.
Peperomia polybotrya
The picturesque leaves of peperomia multifilament resemble the cups of water lilies on a pond. Tall stems hold large waxed leaves, heart-shaped or round, reminiscent of coins. The stems diverge from the stiff base, and one leaf grows at the top of each stem, but due to the branching of the stems, a dense crown of leaves is created. There are varieties of peperomia multifilament with both long and short stems. The inflorescences are racemose, dotted with flowers so tiny that they are sometimes invisible to the naked eye. Caring for such peperomia will not be difficult, she loves dim diffused light, moderate watering. The soil should be loose, light, well-drained, if the soil is compacted, that is, there is a risk of decay of the fragile root system. And remember - frequent watering can harm the plant, before watering again, the soil in the pot must be completely dry. The plant will not suffer from overdried soil, because it accumulates all moisture and nutrients in the leaves.
Gray Peperomia (Peperomia incana)
Semi-bushy low plant with heart-shaped foliage. The fabulous succulent leaves are covered with tiny light hairs, velvety to the touch, reminiscent of felt, which give the green leaves a gray tint. The stems are also covered with the smallest soft hairs. In nature, it grows as a ground cover plant in the lower tier of a tropical forest, therefore it does not need bright light and easily tolerates dry air.
Peperomia obtusifolia
Differs in an oval shape of leaves with a beveled top. Leaves are fleshy with a waxy bloom, in pairs they are attached on a straight thick stem, densely covering it. The length of the leaves is about 10-12 cm. Peperomia dull-leaved is the unifying name for plants that are similar in shape to leaves and stems, but have many colors. Among the domestic species, the most popular are: P. obtusifolia "Alba" with green waxed monochromatic leaves, P. obtusifolia "Albomarginata" such peperomia is characterized by foliage with a silvery frame and a gray-green center. P. obtusifolia "Variegata" in the photo below, scarlet stems are densely covered with variegated leaves, the middle of which is colored light green, and the edges are creamy, sometimes with a green border or with green blotches.
Succulent Peperomia species, photos and names
Succulents are the general name for various plant species adapted to survive in arid climates, having a tissue in their structure that stores water. Unlike other species, succulent peperomias like bright scattered, but cannot tolerate the direct rays of the sun. They, like all succulents, accumulate moisture and nutrients in the fleshy stems and leaves. In nature, they are found in the tropical forests of South America, grow mainly as epiphytes, attaching to the rotten bark of a tree, less often on the ground. Succulent peperomias are stunted, slow-growing perennials, because they prefer to accumulate all the water and nutrients, rather than use them for growth. But they are as unpretentious in care as all other types of peperomias. Let's look at several types of succulent peperomia that are most popular with flower growers and are easy to care for.
Chisel peperomia (P. dolabriformis)
Typical succulent plant with very succulent stems that turn woody over time. The leaves are fleshy, light green in shape, resemble circles folded in half, pointed at the edges, up to 7 cm in length and 1-1.5 cm in width. A dark green border is formed at the place where the leaves grow together. The leaves are tightly attached to the stem, forming a star-like rosette. Stems are generally erect or slightly branched, growing up to 60 cm. Inflorescences are graceful, branched with small white-green flowers.
Peperomia columella or columnar (P. columella)
A succulent plant with scaly, succulent erect stems. Numerous plump leaves densely cover the stem. The leaves are light emerald in color, teardrop-shaped and resemble scales. The plant grows up to 20 cm in height. Looks very impressive when several stems grow in one flower pot. When the plant outgrows, you can put it in a hanging planter, as its stems will begin to fall to the sides. Prefers bright diffused light, watering only when the soil in the pot is completely dry.
Peperomia Ferreira (P. ferreyrae)
Succulent epiphytic plant with long curved leaves. The leaves are, as it were, folded in half, have a light green color and dark green in places of longitudinal connection. The foliage grows densely on an erect stem, forming a star. The plant is small, it reaches only 30 cm in height.The length of the leaves is about 7-8 cm.An amazingly beautiful tropical plant loves moist soil, but is sensitive to water flooding and stagnation, so find the optimal frequency and amount of watering for it, always drain water from a saucer under the pot, use a well-drained soil.
Peperomia Graveolens (P. graveolens)
A tropical beauty, a succulent, originally from Peru and Ecuador, fell in love with many for the unusual variegated color of the leaves. Above, the leaves are light green, and the bottom is bright scarlet or ruby, burgundy. The plant resembles sea coral. Long leaves, curled on the sides, are attached to an erect red stem. Grows like a mini bush, up to 25 cm in height. It blooms in thin spikelets with light yellow flowers, on a long red stem, no more than 25 cm in height.
Now you know about Peperomia, its types, photos and names, and you can easily choose for yourself exactly the type that will best fit into the interior of your home. How to properly care for peperomias can be found in the following article:. And if you want to know what other indoor plants there are that do not require special care, then be sure to read the article .
I wish you success in floriculture!
Peperomia is a plant ideal for home breeding. Outwardly, these flowers are very beautiful - small with elastic, dense leaves and an unusual color. There are about 30 types of home-bred plants. Many of them are in bloom. However, the blooming form of peperomia is not as decorative as the variety of its leaves.
Homeland of peperomia and general description
Peperomia is of exotic origin. Its homeland is the tropical and subtropical regions of South America. Although the plant lives in favorable conditions, its size is very small - most often no more than 50 cm. This is due to the fact that nutrients are spent on the formation of thick shoots and dense leaves covered with a waxy coating.
This plant is an epiphyte located in the crowns of the tallest tropical inhabitants. This determines the peculiarities of flower nutrition, which can be carried out from the soil, from moisture supplied with atmospheric precipitation and air.
The size, shape, color of the leaves of the plant are extremely diverse. Among them, you can find oblong, rounded, lanceolate, heart-shaped, large, miniature, fleshy, delicate, fluffy, corrugated and smooth options. The color scheme ranges from light and dark green to golden, with spots, stripes and streaks. Small flowers of the plant, as a rule, are collected in cylindrical inflorescences.
The main types of peperomia and photos
Home-grown types of peperomias are divided into:
- Bushy or bushy: P. Wrinkled (Peperomia caperata), P. Caperata lillian (Peperomia caperata Lillian), P. Rosso (Peperomia Rosso).
- Erect or erect: P. Dull-leaved (Peperomia obtusifolia Dietr.), P. Golden-leaved (Peperomia obtusifolia aurea), P. Magnolia-leaved (Peperomia Magnoliaefolia), P. Clusi-leaved (Peperomia clusiifolia Hook).
- Ampelnye: P. Creeping (Peperomia prostrata), P. Climbing (Peperomia scandens).
The height of bush peperomia is about 10-15 cm. These are nice bushes, consisting of leaves on long and fragile petioles in the shape of a "cap". During flowering, spike-shaped inflorescences rise above this cap.
Peperomia Shriveled(Peperomia caperata) is unusually diverse. This name is associated with the structure of the leaves: they are shiny and corrugated. Convex areas of the "corrugation" have a lighter shade, in the hollows between them the color of the leaf is much darker.
The native land of the species is Brazil. Wrinkled peperomia is thermophilic, capable of multiplying in bunches of leaves. It grows both in loose soil and in hydroponic (soilless) culture, does not require additional fertilizing and transshipment.
Peperomia Caperata lilian(Peperomia caperata Lillian) gets its name from the unusual shape of the inflorescence. In most peperomias, they are tubular, and in the lillian variety, the inflorescences expand upward with a bell, resembling the shape of a lily. The similarity with this flower is emphasized even more by the pure white color common to all kaperats.
Peperomia Rosso(Peperomia Rosso) is a rarely flowering species with large leaves. Has an unusually spectacular leaf color. They are dark green at the top and burgundy red at the bottom.
A bush of elongated and geometrically regular leaves naturally forms in the shape of a flower-star. Although the plant has an exotic look, it is just as unpretentious as the other varieties of paperomia.
Erect peperomia obtuse-leaved grows up to 12 cm in length
(Peperomia obtusifolia Dietr.) Is identified by oval or ovoid leaves with cut off top. The color of the leaves can be different: most often it is dark green, but milky-white, cream, gray-green with golden edges are also found. Their size reaches 10-12 cm in length.
Peperomia aureus(Peperomia obtusifolia aurea) has an amazing leaf color. On the dark green surface of the fleshy smooth shiny leaf there are golden yellowish spots.
Peperomia magnolia-leaved(Peperomia Magnoliaefolia) is a plant with erect and branching reddish fleshy stems and shiny oval, waxy leaves with rounded tips. The leaves are extremely large for peperomias - up to 8 cm wide and up to 15 cm long. In their shape, they resemble magnolia leaves, which is where the name of the peperomia variety comes from. The leaves are colored green, may have a wide yellow border. The flowering period is May, June. Inflorescences have the shape of an elongated "ear".
Peperomia kusielistnaya on the windowsill
(Peperomia clusiifolia Hook) is a large plant with upwardly thick stems. The size and shape of the leaves resembles the previous type of peperomia. The only difference is in the color of the leaves, thick and matte. They are dark green, with a reddish tint and a dark purple border running along the edge.
The Variegata form has an even more unusual color. Its leaves have a transition from a dark green midrib to a milky white or yellowish with a reddish tinge of the periphery and to a purple border around the edges.
Ampelous peperomia differs in the shape and color of medium-sized leaves. The stems are long, can reach 1.5 m.
Peperomia creeping(Peperomia prostrata) is similar to Peperomia rotundifolia - round-leaved peperomia. However, its rounded leaves (up to 1 cm long) growing on reddish stems are located a little less often. The color of the leaves of the plant is surprising. They are not green, but variegated with silvery or bronze spots.
Peperomia climbing(Peperomia scandens) has pinkish-green stems. Oval leaves, reaching a length of 5 cm, have a pointed shape towards the end. This species can be grown as a liana, provided it is securely tied to a support.
Care and maintenance of peperomia at home
Comfortable temperature for this plant is 20-22 degrees
Caring for peperomia at home does not involve anything complicated. Lighting conditions depend on the type of flower. Plants with dark green leaves can grow in rooms with windows to the north, while variegated varieties need brighter lighting. However, peperomias of all types must be protected from direct sunlight, especially in summer. In insufficient light, the leaves grow small and lose color.
Since peperomia is a tropical plant, it loves warmth and does not tolerate drafts. In spring and summer, the optimum temperature for a flower is 20-22 degrees, in winter - not lower than 16. In winter, it grows poorly on a cold windowsill. The substrate temperature should not drop below 17 degrees.
Air humidity does not play a special role. In natural tropical conditions, the humidity is high, but the dry air of residential buildings is quite suitable for peperomias. Species with delicate leaves are more demanding on high air humidity, while varieties with fleshy leaves can easily tolerate dry air. Spraying in summer is useful, but plants with pubescent and folded leaves do not need to be subjected to this procedure.
Accidental overdrying of peperomia is not terrible. This is due to the fact that the stems and leaves of most plant species are fleshy and accumulate enough moisture. A great danger, on the contrary, is excessive waterlogging, leading to decay of roots and stems.
It is necessary to water peperomia with settled water, a couple of degrees warmer than the air in the room. In the summer season, watering is moderate; in winter, watering is extremely rare, when the earth dries out. Insufficient watering can cause the lower leaves to fall off.
Top dressing during the growth period in spring and summer involves the use of ordinary complex fertilizer for decorative deciduous indoor plants a couple of times a month. In winter, this procedure is reduced to 1 time per month.
You can propagate pereromia by stem and leaf cuttings.
Peperomia transplant should be carried out as needed, about once every 2 years or less. The pot can be used small, since the root system of the plant is not very developed. The presence of good drainage in the pot (up to 6 cm) is required. Peperomia grows rather slowly, but if the outwardly healthy plant has stopped growing, you should pay attention to whether the roots are peeping out of the drainage hole.
Peperomias need loose soil. A mixture of leaf soil, humus, peat, sand (2: 1: 1: 1) or a mixture of leaf, peat and sand, taken in equal quantities, can be used. Dense soil can lead to root rot. It should be slightly acidic or neutral.
Reproduction of peperomia occurs by stem and leaf cuttings, as well as dividing the bush during transplantation. The stalk should be 1-3 knots. It is better to root in the composition of sod, leafy soil and sand. In this case, high air humidity is preferable.
The substrate should be moist, but not wet. Shriveled peperomia, like some other bush flower varieties, can be propagated by leaf cuttings.
Pests and diseases of peperomia
If you have a mealybug on your peperomia, you need to wipe the leaves with an alcohol solution
High temperatures and low air humidity contribute to the appearance of thrips, especially in rooms with central heating. On the underside of the leaf, thrips lays colonies, and light dots form on the upper side of the leaf. As a result, the upper side of the leaf takes on a gray-brown color with a silvery sheen. On variegated plant species, thrips is not very noticeable. The affected plant needs to be sprayed with insecticides.
A mealybug can settle on peperomia. The fight against it consists in wiping the leaves with cotton wool soaked in alcohol.
Peperomia diseases such as root rot and root collar are the result of various fungal infections that manifest themselves with excessive soil compaction or waterlogging. The situation can be corrected by transplanting the plant into new soil, reducing watering.
Peperomia can be affected by a virus that causes dwarfism. Such flowers should be removed to avoid contamination of healthy specimens.
Useful properties of the plant
Peperomia is believed to have a positive effect on the digestive system
Peperomia is believed to have a beneficial effect on the atmosphere in the home. At the sight of this flower, one involuntarily wants to smile. The amicable growth of bush varieties, the abundance of leaves of ampelous species, as well as their motley cheerful color, speak of the friendly and open nature of room peperomia.
The above properties of the plant lead to the fact that peperomia helps to keep the energy field of the apartment clean. It does not allow negative influences to manifest, smooths them out. The flower pleases and warms its owners, setting them up in a positive way.
Changing the energy of the house in a positive way, peperomia prevents many diseases from developing... It is believed to have a positive effect on the digestive system, the condition of the gallbladder and mammary glands.
Another useful property of peperomia is that it is capable of releasing phytoncides that cleanse the air from harmful bacteria. That is why the presence of this plant is highly desirable in the room of a frequently ill child.
Peperomia ( Peperomia) is a genus of perennial evergreen herbaceous plants of the Pepper family ( Piperaceae) with decorative leaves and shoots thickened at the nodes. Plant height varies from 15 to 50 cm. About 1000 species of peperomia are known, most of which originate from tropical regions of Asia and America. Various peperomias have a rich outfit and invariably stand out from other plants for their original leaves - leathery and shiny, smooth or wrinkled, green or multi-colored. There are peperomias with erect, hanging or creeping shoots. In the culture of peperomia, they are used as ornamental plants and are grown in a room or in the open field. This article will tell you about the features of caring for peperomias.
Peperomia blunt-leaved 'Greengold'. © James Steakley
What do peperomias look like?
Peperomias are extremely varied in shape, size and leaf color. There are species with rounded, oblong, lanceolate, heart-shaped leaves - from miniature and delicate to large and fleshy. The color of the leaves can be light or dark green, brown, olive, golden, silvery striped, with white or yellow spots, stains. Peperomia leaves are most often whole-edged. Their surface can be smooth or pubescent, as well as rough, wrinkled.
Small white peperomia flowers are collected in dense spike-shaped or cob-shaped inflorescences on long peduncles. A well-developed bush usually has 10-15 inflorescences. Under indoor conditions, seeds do not ripen in peperomia.
Features of growing peperomia
Location: All types of peperomia do not tolerate a drop in temperature, so in winter they are kept at 18-20 degrees. They prefer good lighting, but they can grow in partial shade, even under artificial lighting. Only direct sunlight cannot be tolerated.
Watering: Cautious. Between waterings, the soil is allowed to dry out, but at the same time it is not allowed that the leaves of the peperomia begin to fade. In winter, very little is watered; lukewarm water is used for watering.
Air humidity: Peperomias prefer moderate humidity. In summer, the leaves are sprayed from time to time. Do not spray in winter.
Reproduction: Propagate peperomia by cuttings. Bush-like forms are leafy, and erect and ampelous forms are stem.
Transfer: If possible - rare, as necessary, once every few years, transplanted into a larger pot in the spring.
Wrinkled peperomia. © Jerzy Opiola Home care for peperomia
Peperomia is a rather unpretentious plant, it can be successfully grown in a room with proper care, but it does not tolerate drafts well. For peperomias, a warm place with bright diffused lighting or partial shade is chosen. Green-leaved peperomias are less light-requiring, and variegated ones are more demanding of light (with a lack of it, they turn green), but do not tolerate direct sunlight. Peperomias grow well under artificial light. With a lack of light, the leaves of peperomia lose their decorative effect: they become dull, turn pale.
Water the peperomia regularly and in moderation with soft lukewarm water. Between watering, you need to let the soil dry out (but prevent the leaves from withering). In winter, peperomia is watered less, kept at a moderate temperature (18-20 degrees, warm soil is important).
Peperomia species with fleshy leaves tolerate dry air; peperomias with tender leaves need moist air and frequent spraying. In a warm room, peperomia leaves are periodically sprayed from April to September; when kept cool and in winter, spraying is undesirable. From excessive watering, from too humid air, due to "cold feet", the leaves of the peperomia brighten, lose their shine, and become deformed. Weeping spots may appear on them - as a result, they fall off. Also, from stagnant moisture in the soil, leaves, petioles and stems rot (rot spots can be covered with a gray or pinkish-white bloom - the mycelium of the fungus), root rot develops.
Peperomia creeping. © doras For growing peperomias, shallow pots are chosen, since their roots are rather short, thin and delicate. At the bottom of the pot, there must be one, or better, several drainage holes. When planting, arrange a high (6 cm) drainage. In spring or summer, young peperomias pass annually, plants older than three years - in two years. Transplanting old plants is carried out as needed. The substrate should be nutritious and loose: leafy earth, humus, peat and sand (2: 1: 1: 0.5). Or: leafy, humus, sod land, peat and sand in equal proportions. Planting peperomia in heavy soil will result in root rot.
The tops of the long shoots of peperomia are pinched in the spring (to cause their branching), the "bald" plant is pruned. From April to September, peperomias are fed with full mineral fertilizer every three weeks.
Peperomia clusiform ‘Red Margin’. © Stefano Popular types of peperomias
Peperomia wrinkled (Peperomia caperata)
An exquisite miniature plant with small, dark green, corrugated leaves on long fragile petioles. Leaves are densely collected on shortened stems. Graceful spike-shaped inflorescences, snow-white, like a cloud, rise above the dark mass of leaves. A very attractive plant for indoor floriculture. Soil: nutritious loose mixture of leafy, humus earth and sand (1: 1: 0.5).
Peperomia clusiifolia (Peperomia clusiifolia)
A large plant with ascending, thick fleshy stems rooting at the lower nodes. The leaves are alternate, with short petioles (no more than 1 cm), large (up to 15 cm long, 6-8 cm wide), obovate with a blunt or notched apex and more or less wedge-shaped, sometimes slightly auricular base; very thick, fleshy, dark green with a reddish tint and a dark purple narrow border around the edge, matte. Homeland - Antilles, Venezuela. In indoor culture, the garden form Variegata is also well known - with leaves along the midrib dark green with light green blotches, further to the periphery - milky white or yellowish with a reddish tint and a bright purple border along the edge. There are variegated forms of yellowish or reddish shades.
Peperomia magnoliaefolia
Plants with profusely branching, erect or ascending fleshy reddish stems, rooting at the lower nodes. The leaves are alternate, with short (2 cm) slightly winged petioles up to 15 cm long., 3-8 cm wide., Rounded to obovate-elliptical almost spatulate, with a rounded, often notched apex and a wedge-shaped or suddenly narrowed base. Thick, leathery, green, shiny. Homeland - Antilles, Panama, the north of South America (Venezuela, Colombia, Guiana). In addition to the typical shape, the Variegata garden form with irregular white and yellow spots on the leaves is very popular. A species close to Peperomia obtusifolia (Peperomia dull-leaved).
Peperomia magnolia-leaved. © Michael Wolf Peperomia pereskiifolia
A plant with long ascending, late lodging and rooting obtuse ribbed stems. Leaves 3-5 in whorls, 3-5 cm long., 2-3 cm wide., Elliptical or rounded-rhomboid, with a blunt tip, three arcuate veins, very tough, leathery, dark green. Homeland - the center and north of South America, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Peru.
Peperomia silvery (Peperomia argyreia)
A compact plant with a shortened stem, bearing alternate crowded, rosette-like leaves. Leaves with long (more than 10 cm) dark purple petioles, 6-9 cm long., 5-8 cm wide., Ovate, with a short-pointed apex and a thyroid base, with 9-11 arcuate veins, on top of the veins - dark green , between veins - light, silvery, below - light green. Homeland - the north of South America, Venezuela, Brazil. Soil: leafy and compost soil, sand (2: 2: 1).
Peperomia gray-silver (Peperomia griseoargentea)
The species is similar in growth form to the previous one. Leaves 8-9 cm long., 3-6 cm wide., With long petioles exceeding the length of the plate, rounded-ovate, blunt-pointed at the apex, cordate or thyroid at the base with 7-9 arcuate veins, silvery-green, shiny, with slightly wavy surface and edge. Homeland - Brazil. In indoor culture, the garden form Nigra with black-green leaves along the veins is also well known.
Peperomia obtusifolia
A species very similar to Peperomia magnolia-leaved, from which it differs in the details of the structure of the ear and the fruit. In a vegetative state, it is hardly recognizable by a more extended form of growth, slightly less foliage and a duller top of the leaves. Homeland - Antilles, Mexico, center and north of South America (Venezuela, Colombia, Suriname). Several garden forms are known: Alba - with milky-white or creamy leaves; Albo-variegata - with leaves, gray-green in the center, silvery along the edge, etc. The plant is rather undemanding to care, but light-requiring. The soil must be fertile: a mixture of leaf, turf, peat and sand (1: 1: 1: 1).
Peperomia is gray-silvery. © James Steakley The main difficulties in growing peperomia
Peperomia leaves with brown tips and edges. The reason is an unexpected drop in temperature. Remove any damaged leaves, protect the plant from drafts, and avoid cold windowsills.
Unexpected leaf fall in succulent varieties. The reason is a delay in watering. Peperomias are watered when the soil dries a little, but before the leaves begin to wilt.
Peperomia leaves are lethargic and faded. Rot spots on the stem or leaves. Corky growths on the leaves below. The reason is waterlogging of the soil, especially in winter.
Unexpected fall of peperomia leaves in winter. The reason is that the air temperature is too low.
Peperomia pereskielistnaya. © KENPEI Useful properties of peperomia in the house
In all bushy peperomias: in ivy, silvery and wrinkled, the leaves are variegated. Contradictions coexist well in them. The very shape of the peperomia bush, which can be called a "friendly family", and variegated leaves speak of the friendly nature of the plant, its ability to reconcile contradictions.
It is good to have any of the bushy peperomias in a house where people live in whose character a rebellious spirit is clearly manifested, those who, even against their will, out of habit, will do something contrary to the wishes of others.
Peperomias keep the atmosphere at home calm. Where there are peperomias, benevolence and tranquility reign in the atmosphere. With peperomias, the very atmosphere of the house inclines a person to a sincere manifestation of care for others.
Peperomia silvery. © Eric Hunt
It is believed that this houseplant has a strong effect on the physical health of a person. It is directed, like most plants of the Cancer sign, primarily to the organs and systems that this zodiac sign controls: the digestive tract, mammary glands, gallbladder. They say that neat little peperomias on the windowsill promote healing of seams and wounds of these organs.
We will not undertake to assert how true this is, but the fact that peperomia is unpretentious and very beautiful is a fact.
