Peperomia caperata

RHS Plant Profile

emerald ripple pepper

Other common names

emerald ripple, green ripple pepper, little fantasy pepper

Houseplants

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An evergreen mound-forming perennial to 20cm tall, with thick, puckered, heart-shaped, dark green leaves to 5cm across; these are held on long, succulent stalks. From spring to autumn it produces upright, tail-like or club-shaped spikes of tiny greenish-white flowers. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Piperaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Peperomia are evergreen perennials with simple, often succulent leaves and very small greenish-white flowers borne in slender spikes or panicles
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Brazil

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in houseplant compost in bright indirect light while in growth, moving into full light in winter. Water moderately in summer, sparingly in winter, preferably with tepid, soft water. From spring to summer mist daily to maintain moderate to high humidity; apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Pull off spent flowers. See Peperomia and houseplant cultivation for further information. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 19-24°C when ripe; take leaf stalk or leaf blade cuttings in spring and summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds