Introduction
Peperomia has round, smooth, dark green leaves and short, somewhat brittle stems, seldom growing taller than 12 inches. Quickly growing into spreading clumps, peperomia is ideal for tropical groundcover use, as well as container culture or raised planters. It also makes a durable houseplant and will cascade over the side of a hanging basket.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Peperomia obtusifolia
Pronunciation: pep-per-ROE-mee-uh ob-too-siff-FOLE-leeuh
Common name(s): peperomia, baby rubber plant
Family: Piperaceae
Plant type: perennial; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11 (Figure 3)
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year-round
Origin: native to Florida as well as tropical America and parts of the Caribbean
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Uses: container or above-ground planter; mass planting; naturalizing; suitable for growing indoors; cascading down a wall
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
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Description
Height: 0.5 to 1 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Plant habit: spreading
Plant density: open
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: coarse
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: obovate
Leaf venation: bowed
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: variegated
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: flowers periodically throughout the year
Fruit
Fruit shape: oval
Fruit length: less than 0.5 inch
Fruit cover: fleshy
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: reddish
Current year stem/twig thickness: very thick
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in the shade
Soil tolerances: slightly alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Use and Management
Growing in partial to deep shade, peperomia will thrive in moist, rich, organic soils or less fertile sandy soils. Although preferring high humidity, it must have well-drained conditions to avoid stem and root rot. Plant on 12 to 18 inch centers for quick establishment as a ground cover. It is best to err on the dry side when growing peperomia.
A few available cultivars include 'Alba', young growth entirely white-yellow, marked with bright red; 'Albomarginata', grey-green leaves with silvery border; 'Albomarginata Minima', dwarf form of the preceding; 'Minima', compact plant, leaves one to two inches long; and 'Variegata', grey-green blotched green leaves with a broad, creamy-white margin.
Propagation is by cuttings which root easily or by division.
Pests and Diseases
Peperomia's main pest problem is mites.
Peperomia is susceptible to stem and root rots and leaf spot diseases.