9 How to Care Peperomia Plants Care, Tips Growing A Guide 2022

9 How to Care Peperomia Plants Care, Tips Growing A Guide 2022

Peperomia caperata is a small houseplant with dark green leaves, pretty red to purple stems, and interesting mouse-tail shaped flowers. It is a highly prized species by terrarium hobbyists but can be quickly grown in most homes. It makes it a good choice for anyone looking for a compact indoor plant that isn’t too demanding. Read on to discover everything you need to know about caring for Peperomia caperata and growing this plant in your own home.

• Difficulty level Easy
• Recommended lighting Hint
• Water When slightly dry
• Substrate Light substrate

1. Peperomia caperata: Natural habitat

As with all indoor plants, observing how Peperomia caperata grows naturally gives us some primary indications for its care.

This plant is found naturally in the rainforests of Brazil. In the home, this means that you do not appreciate low temperatures and that relatively high humidity will do well.

Since sunlight in these regions is mainly blocked by taller trees, Peperomia caperata is not used to direct sunlight.

Peperomia caperata: Light, location and temperature

2. Light

Since Peperomia Caperata occurs naturally in rainforests, it is a good idea to mimic (at least in part) these conditions in your home. More giant trees would naturally block direct sunlight, so leaving the plant full sun is not ideal. It needs a lot of indirect light.

Any window facing south (in the northern hemisphere) should work fine. Another option is Peperomia Caperata is known to grow very well under artificial light, which means that it is a good option for darker rooms.

3. Location

The Peperomia Caperata greatly appreciates an environment that mimics the humidity of the rainforest. Kitchens, bathrooms, and greenhouses can provide the necessary moisture.

If you think your Peperomia is suffering because your house is too dry (leaf tips are crisp), try putting in a humidifier or placing your indoor plants in groups.

As discussed below, another excellent option to successfully grow Peperomia Caperata would be to install a terrarium.

4. Temperature

Peperomia Caperata does not withstand low temperatures and will dramatically let you know if it is cold.

Make sure you don’t expose your plant to anything below 15 ° C – room temperature is best for this species.

Peperomia caperata: Substrate and (re) planting

5. Substrate

• Since Peperomia caperata needs a lot of air around its roots, it is advisable to use relatively loose soil.
• Mixing average potting soil with a dose of perlite will give you a light soil mix that will work for this plant. In general, make sure to avoid anything too compact to keep your Peperomia happy.
• If the plant has been in the same soil for a while, carefully poking around the pot with a toothpick can help ensure that no lumps form.
• Peperomia Caperata does not like permanently moist soil, so a well-draining container is necessary.
• Most houseplant enthusiasts prefer to use a plastic nursery pot (which has drainage holes in the bottom) along with a decorative potting pot to match their interior.
• It is not usually necessary to transplant often because most Peperomias are already mature and do not grow too large.
• If you need to transplant your Peperomia, do it in the spring months. You don’t need a big pot – the root systems aren’t that big.

6. Transplant – 9 How to Care Peperomia Plants Care, Tips Growing A Guide 2022

As already mentioned, Peperomia Caperata is found naturally in tropical rainforests. Therefore, the plant appreciates a relatively humid environment.

Its preference for higher humidity levels and its tendency to stay relatively compact make this plant an excellent choice for planted terrariums.

It does not mean that you have to have a large terrarium to grow your Peperomia. As mentioned on the Cryptanthus (another great terrarium plant) care page, even something simple like a cookie jar could work just fine. Mind you, don’t put the lid on – these plants need fresh air to thrive.

7. Peperomia caperata: Water

Figuring out when to water Peperomia Caperata can be a bit difficult. The ideal frequency is highly dependent on the conditions the plant is in.

You must bear in mind that this species has succulent type leaves and can store some water. Succulents prefer to dry out a bit before being watered, and the same can be done with Peperomia Caperata, although you should not let the soil dry out completely.

Once the soil has had time to dry, water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain out of the pot before repeating the process, keep in mind that during the winter, your indoor plants will not be actively growing and, therefore, will need less water. Always look at the soil before watering again.

8. Peperomia caperata: Fertilizer

Peperomia caperata is not a plant that requires a lot of food, and you have to be careful not to overfeed it. Try to feed her only during the months of active growth, when new shoots emerge.

Make sure to use a diluted liquid compost. Leave the plant quiet during the winter months. It is not actively growing and does not need the additional nutrient.

9. Propagate Peperomia caperata

Propagating a houseplant can’t be much easier than with Peperomias like this one. It’s almost as if you could take any part of the plant, and it will continue to grow like nothing else.

These are the different ways to propagate Peperomia caperata:

• Leaf cuttings: Yes, you can multiply Peperomia caperata using a single leaf. Just use clean scissors to cut a few sheets. Prepare a pot with substrate and gently squeeze the leaves without burying them. It can also be done in water, but it is easier for me on land.
• Keep the soil slightly moist, ideally by placing the entire container in a clear plastic bag to keep in moisture. A new mini Peperomia (or several!) Will grow from the petiole (the part where the leaf meets the stem).
• Division: This is not as popular as taking leaf cuttings, but it does result in a more significant result, so you won’t have to wait as long for a properly sized plant.
• It is easier if you were already replanting your Peperomia caperata and removing it from its pot. If you remove the plant from the substrate, you will see that it comprises groups of stems. You can easily separate them with clean scissors and place them in individual pots. Keep them slightly damp, and voila! Each new plant should have its root system, continuing to grow as usual.

Buy Peperomia caperata – 9 How to Care Plants Care, Tips Growing A Guide 2022

Peperomia caperata is a relatively popular houseplant that you should find in most plant stores. Keep in mind that there are a few different cultivars. Peperomia ‘Rosso’ has narrower leaves, while Peperomia ‘Schumi Red’ has glossy red-purple leaves.

You can also buy a Peperomia caperata online.

Is Peperomia caperata toxic to dogs and cats?

The ASPCA and other sources indicate that plants of the genus Peperomia (including Peperomia caperata) are not toxic to cats and dogs.

If you have any more questions about Peperomia caperata or want to share your own experiences with the mousetail houseplant, feel free to leave a comment below. 

Growing and caring for the Peperomia plant genus

Peperomia is a genus of plants called thus commonly or colloquially to its main species as Heart of Mary. It is characterized by the contrast of its foliage, leaving its flowers a little aside; they are small plants that serve as decoration, for example, as a centrepiece.

This article will tell you all the characteristics and a growing guide for Peperomia.

Main characteristics of the plant genus Peperomia

There are various types of this beautiful plant, reaching the number of more than 1600 different species. It is a plant native to South America. What stands out the most is that its leaf is heart-shaped. Its leaves are green and very fleshy.

The flowering time of these plants is usually from June to September, creating a kind of small spikelets of elongated shape and white or beige colour. As a curious fact, they are also known as the mouse tail because of their curious shape.

Best known species of the genus Peperomia

Within many representatives of this genus, some species are the best known at an ornamental level. Among them, we find many physical differences (but not when growing them), so it is recommended that you find the file for each plant to see which one may be your favourite.

We tell you their differences and the primary considerations when growing each of them.

Peperomia Magnoliifolia

It is the best-known species, and it does not exceed 30 centimetres in height. We can find different tones and natural spots in its leaves that offer a tremendous ornamental appeal. They are fleshy and have an irresistible natural shine.

This species is recommended for growing indoors, in pots, in warm and well-lit areas.

Peperomia Griseoargentea

It is an easy plant to find since it is cultivated worldwide. It usually grows wild in Brazilian forests. It has very dense foliage, but it is a low plant with stems that do not exceed 20 cm in length, ideal for growing in pots.

As the central differential, its leaves are greyish or silver in colour, so it is interesting to play with different greenish and greyish Peperomias varieties.

Peperomia Griseoargentea

Peperomia obtusifolia

It is native to Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. It is a herbaceous and perennial plant that can grow up to 25 centimetres. It does not require great care since it can store water in its leaves. It offers excellent dark greenery and a high density of foliage.

Its great attraction is that stem cutting quickly reproduce it.

Peperomia caperata

It is native to Brazil, being very well adapted to grow in pots since it has a short bearing. Its leaves are dark green, fleshy and shiny.

The leaves have a dark greenish colour but are very bright, which often gives us the feeling that they are plastic. They usually bloom between April and December.

Peperomia Scandens

This variety does not support direct sunlight, so the most suitable environmental conditions are usually higher relative humidity and a not very high temperature. Physically it is very similar to some varieties of pothos.

It should be kept away from direct sunlight, and its cultivation adapts very well to hanging pots.

Peperomia Sandersii

It is also native to Brazil but used as an ornamental plant almost all over the world. This species is also a great representative of this genus, with a great density of foliage and an ideal size for growing in pots.

Its leaves are green with greyish lines or various greenish tones, which are visually very attractive.

Primary care of Peperomia plants

Location, humidity and temperature

Peperomias are tropical plants that need warm temperatures throughout their growth. Therefore, it is common to grow them indoors.

Temperature

The ideal temperature range for this group of plants is between 16 and 22 ºC. However, its content is much higher, and it can be grown outdoors in warm areas. In any case, it is necessary to avoid temperatures below ten ºC so as not to paralyze their growth.

illumination

The best-known species of this genus prefer illuminated environments but without receiving direct sunlight. Avoid placing it in arid areas, as it needs some humidity. A well-ventilated space without ambient dryness and good lighting will be ideal.

Humidity

They like high humidity, so during spring and summer, it is advisable to spray the entire foliage of the plant with softened water every 3 or 4 days.

Substrate characteristics

Peperomias prefer slightly acidic, very fertile and spongy substrates. For this reason, peat mixed with worm humus and coconut fibre or perlite is a recommendation to provide nutrients, good drainage and excellent moisture retention.

Watering tips for Peperomia

This tropical plant group needs to maintain a constantly humid substrate but never waterlogged. For this reason, we have recommended mixing the substrate with coconut fibre or perlite since it is a very porous material that drains very well and offers magnificent oxygenation to the medium.

Watering must be done frequently enough to keep the substrate with medium humidity throughout its growth. Therefore, an approximate irrigation plan can be the following:

• Watering for pots in hot weather:  2 waterings per week (grown indoors).
• Watering for pots in cold seasons:  1 watering every seven days (grown indoors).

To know the volume of water to add, it is usually watered with 1/3 or 1/4 of the total volume of the pot. If, for example, we have a pool with a volume of 1 litre, we will add between 250 and 300 ml of water.

Fertilizer application

The plant’s budding begins when the time of exposure to light increases, in late winter or early spring. It is usual and advisable to add an organic or mineral fertilizer along with the irrigation water.

We can provide fertilizers for green plants, rich in magnesium and nitrogen, among all the available fertilizers.

Multiplication

The reproduction of this plant is easy and is done by cuttings, both stems and leaves. Another simple way is to do it by dividing the bushes, carefully separating the roots and transplanting the part of the plant into a new pot.

Possible Pests and diseases

Grown indoors, it is pretty rare to visit some pests, the common ones being mealybugs. Due to the volume of the plant, they are usually removed by rubbing with a damp cloth and cleaning them manually.

As for diseases, the best known are caused by soil or substrate fungi in high humidity conditions. Hence, it is highly recommended to offer good drainage in the pot and never over water. 

Is Peperomia a good indoor plant?

Resembling the fan-favorite rubber plant, just tinier, Peperomia are plants in the peppercorn family, Piperaceae. Peperomia make great houseplants, are low maintenance, and clean the air.

How do you take care of Peperomia?

How Do You Take Care Of A Peperomia Plant? Most Peperomia plants should be kept in bright, indirect sunlight, in temperatures of between 65-80 °F. They should be watered infrequently once the top inch of soil has dried out, fertilized monthly through the growing season and potted in well-draining potting soil.

Is a Peperomia a succulent?

Peperomias are small plants which are similar to hoyas in their care. Both are succulent like with fleshy leaves and stems. They make wonderful houseplants and can be found in both hanging and upright forms. This is all about peperomia care and how to keep these sweet beauties healthy and happy.

Do Peperomia need lots of light?

Your Peperomia will be happiest in medium to bright indirect light, however, they can tolerate lower light and can even adapt to fluorescent lighting. Keep out of direct sun—the leaves will burn.

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