How to grow peperomia

What are peperomias?

Peperomias are compact houseplants available in a wide diversity of colours and forms. They’re grown for their attractive leaves, which are often thick and fleshy, in various shapes and colours, ranging from metallic silver to purple, either plain, striped or variegated, and frequently puckered or ridged. The stems can be bushy, vining or trailing. Although they will flower, they’re not particularly decorative – usually just thin cream or green spikes.

Most of the peperomias we grow as houseplants originate in humid tropical forests, where light levels are low. They grow either on the shady forest floor or higher up in the filtered light of the tree canopy, where they root onto tree branches (growing as epiphytes). Here they have less access to water, so many developed fleshy, succulent leaves that can store moisture, to help them survive. Some species are found in semi-arid habitats, but these are not widely available as houseplants.

Peperomias are generally easy, low-maintenance plants to grow in the home and are forgiving of occasional neglect. Their compact size makes them suitable for even the smallest living spaces, and with so many to choose from, they are ideal for collecting. Young plants and smaller species are perfect for terrariums and bottle gardens.

Choosing peperomias

Popular peperomias to grow as houseplants include:

• watermelon peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)– probably the best-known species, with boldly striped leaves that resemble the skin of a watermelon
• emerald ripple pepper (P. caperata)– green or red leaves with a two-tone corrugated texture
• baby rubber plant (P. clusiifolia) – glossy, rounded leaves, green with a red edge, like a small rubber plant

Trailing peperomias, which are ideal for a hanging planter or on a shelf or mantelpiece, include:

• string of turtles (P. prostrata) – long, trailing stems and leaves that look like small turtles
• variegated Cupid peperomia (P.nitida ‘Variegata’) – trailing stems clad in heart-shaped leaves, edged with yellow

Peperomias from drier locations have smaller, very fleshy (succulent) leaves where they can store moisture. These succulents

A group of plants that have thick, fleshy leaves or stems that are able to store water. This allows them to survive in arid habitats with low moisture.

are not widely grown as houseplants, but Peperomia macrorhiza is sometimes available.

Buying peperomias

You will find a selection of tropical peperomias in the houseplants section of most garden centres and other houseplant retailers. When buying, look for the healthiest plant, with strong growth, plenty of roots and undamaged leaves.

Most peperomias are slow growing, so can usually stay in their original container for two or three years, or until the roots start to get densely packed or appear through the drainage holes in the base. Spring is the best time to repot peperomias.

Most peperomias prefer an acidic compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost:

• Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

that is loose and free-draining – an ideal mix would be two parts peat-free ericaceous

Plants that thrive in acid or ericaceous soil, which has a pH of less than 7 (neutral). You can measure your soil pH using a simple testing kit. Ericaceous or acid-loving plants include rhododendrons, camellias, heathers and blueberries.

compost, one part perlite

Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic rock which, when heated to high temperatures, expands to produce lightweight, micro-porous granules. It was traditionally added to compost to aid drainage and aeration, however, its manufacture, packaging and distribution has a big environmental impact, so locally-sourced grit or gravel is now preferred.

and one part medium orchid bark

Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants.

. Alternatively, a houseplant compost with added perlite should be fine. However, succulent peperomias from dry habitats, such as Peperomia macrorhiza, need a sharply draining compost suitable for cacti.

Always choose a pot that’s only a few centimetres larger than the rootball

The roots and accompanying soil when a plant is removed from a container or lifted from the ground.

. If the pot is too big, the compost will tend to stay wet for longer, which can cause the roots to rot.

Continue repotting every few years, once the roots fill the pot.

See our guides on repotting houseplants:

How to repot a plant

Peat-free compost choices

Small peperomias are great for planting in a terrarium

A miniature garden or ecosystem contained within a glass or plastic container. If sealed, self-sustaining terrariums need very little to no maintenance. Small and slow-growing foliage plants, miniature ferns and mosses are great for sealed terrariums, and succulents and cacti for open terrariums. The first example of a terrarium was a Wardian Case, which helped plant collectors bring back and introduce new, exotic plants in the 19th century.

or bottle garden, where they’ll thrive in the humid atmosphere. Watch our short video guide to planting up a terrarium:

Location

Peperomias are amazingly adaptive plants and will often grow successfully in less-than-ideal conditions. But the best location for them is a warm room, about 18–30°C (65–86°F), in bright but indirect or filtered light. An east- or west-facing windowsill is perfect, or set back from a south-facing window.

Direct sun in summer can scorch the foliage, although weaker winter sun is usually welcome. Too much shade can lead to poor, straggly growth. Keep them out of cold draughts and away from radiators.

Succulent peperomias from drier habitats (such as Peperomia macrorhiza) prefer a slightly cooler period in winter, so move these to a room that’s a little less warm, although not below 10°C (50°F), for the winter.

Watering

Take care not to overwater peperomias. Let the compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost:

• Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

partially dry out between waterings – always check with your finger, rather than simply watering routinely. Watering too much or leaving the pot standing in water for long spells can lead to root rot, which can kill the plant. Reduce watering in winter, when growth is usually slower.

Peperomias are sensitive to fluoride in tap water, which can cause the leaf tips to turn brown. So use rainwater or filtered water whenever possible, preferably at room temperature.

Collecting, storing and reusing water

Water: using softened and other types

Humidity

Peperomias are very adaptable and most are happy in the normal atmosphere of our homes. However, these tropical plants generally prefer humid air if possible, so an enclosed terrarium or a steamy bathroom are ideal locations.

If you notice the leaves turning brown, try raising the humidity

The concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere. This affects the rate at which plants transpire (lose water from their leaf pores), which in turn affects how much water their roots absorb from the soil. If air humidity is low, plants transpire quickly and become at risk of wilting if water is lost from the leaves faster than it can be absorbed by the roots. Different plants require different levels of humidity to thrive. Many tropical houseplants need high humidity and are best grown in a steamy bathroom, misted regularly or placed on a saucer of damp pebbles. In a greenhouse, humidity can be raised in hot weather by damping down (wetting) the floor or overhead misting.

by standing the pot on a wide tray filled with damp gravel. For more tips on how to increase humidity, watch our quick video guide:

Feeding

To boost growth, feed every two weeks in the growing season

The period of time when an individual plant is in active growth. This will depend on the local climate and light levels, and can vary between different plants, although it is broadly from spring to autumn.

, from April to October, with a half-strength liquid fertiliser.

Remove any dead leaves and stems to keep plants looking tidy. If any stems become straggly or overly long, prune them back to encourage bushier growth.

The easiest way to propagate peperomias is by taking softwood cuttings in spring and summer. Either plant these straight into a pot of gritty, free-draining compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost:

• Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

, or stand them in a glass of water until they produce roots, then plant them.

Some peperomias with fleshy (succulent) leaves can also be propagated from leaf cuttings.

When given the correct growing conditions (see Ongoing care, above), peperomias are generally healthy, adaptable and trouble-free. However, take particular care with watering, as the roots are prone to rotting if kept too wet, causing yellowing and dropping leaves, and eventually the plant may collapse. Also look out for sap

Sap is a fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, in a similar way to blood moving through our veins. Phloem sap carries the sugars produced in the leaves by photosynthesis down to roots and other storage organs, as well as carrying minerals and hormones. Xylem sap is watery and transports nutrients absorbed by the roots upwards to the rest of the plant. Some plants leak sap from wounds or pruning cuts, and this is known as bleeding.

-sucking insects such as mealybugs, which can weaken the plants.

See the following guides for more tips:

How to help a poorly houseplant

Leaf damage on houseplants