Peperomia

There are over 1,000 species of peperomia plants many of which are popular houseplants. The Peperomia genus is one of the largest genera of the larger Piperaceae family (also known as the pepper family), and are commonly referred to as radiator plants and baby rubber plants.

Peperomia make ideal houseplants since they do well in a range of lighting conditions and can tolerate infrequent watering. Their unique and varied foliage make these plants popular choices for houseplant lovers and novices alike. Pet owners will be happy to know that Peperomia plants are great pet- friendly house plants that are considered non-toxic if ingested1. Here are 33 types of Peperomia that you can grow at home.

 

One of the most popular and widely available types of Peperomia for indoor growing is the  Peperomia obtusifolia commonly known as the baby rubber plant. It is characterized by an upright growing habit and round, glossy green leaves. Cultivators of the baby rubber plant with variegated foliage are also widely available.  

  • Name: Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry
  • Leaf Color: Dark green (cultivators may have yellow, white, and green variegation)
  • Mature Size: 12 in. tall, 6 in. wide

 

 

 

Peperomias ripple are known for their unique foliage and no species embodies this quite like the Peperomia caperata, commonly known as the Ripple Peperomia. This Peperomia is characterized by small, heart-shaped dark green leaves that are deeply ridged. It has a mounding growth habit and stays relatively small, rarely growing larger than 8 inches tall. Due to its popularity, several cultivators of the Ripple Peperomia have been introduced and are now widely available.

  • Name: Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
  • Light: Tolerates bright, indirect light to low light
  • Water: Allow the top 2-3 inches to dry between waterings
  • Leaf Color: Dark green
  • Mature Size: 8 in. tall, 8 in.

 

Peperomia caperata ‘Luna Red’. This Peperomia caperata cultivator is known for its dark, purplish-red foliage. In order to maintain its striking color this Peperomia does best with plenty of bright, indirect light. The Luna Red Peperomia was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

  • Name: Luna Red Peperomia (Peperomia caperata ‘Luna Red’)
  • Light: Bright indirect light
  • Water: Allow the top 2-3 inches to dry between waterings
  • Leaf Color: Dark purplish-red
  • Mature Size: 8 in. tall, 8 in. wide

 

 

Peperomia Rosso (Peperomia caperata ‘Rosso’). It has deeply grooved dark green foliage with striking red undersides. Compared to other Peperomia caperata varieties, its leaves are much longer and pointier, which can help distinguish it. 

  • Name: Peperomia Rosso (Peperomia caperata ‘Rosso’)
  • Light: Tolerates bright, indirect light to low light
  • Water: Allow the top 2-3 inches to dry between waterings
  • Leaf Color: Dark green with red undersides
  • Mature Size: 8 in. tall, 8 in. wide

 

 

Peperomia Rosso (Peperomia caperata ‘Rosso’). It has the Rosso’s characteristic leaf shape and burgundy undersides along with the Theresa’s silvery coloring.

  • Name: Peperomia Mendoza (Peperomia caperata ‘Mendoza’)
  • Light: Bright indirect light
  • Water: Allow the top 2-3 inches to dry between waterings
  • Leaf Color: Silvery green with light green veins and burgundy undersides
  • Mature Size: 8 in. tall, 8 in. wide

 

 

the Raindrop Peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya) is known for its flat, heart-shaped leaves. Compared to the Chinese money plant whose foliage is completely round, this Peperomia’s leaves are pointed at the tips like a raindrop.

  • Name: Raindrop Peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya)
  • Light: Low light to bright indirect light
  • Water: Allow the soil to dry between waterings
  • Leaf Color: Green
  • Mature Size: 12 to 15 in. tall

 

 

The Piccolo Banda Peperomia (Peperomia albovittata) is a relatively new and rare Peperomia originating from the Netherlands. It is prized for its light green leaves with deeply ridged dark green/brown veins. Its stems are a reddish brown color, giving this plant a tricolor appearance.

  • Name: Piccolo Banda Peperomia (Peperomia albovittata)
  • Light: Medium to bright indirect light
  • Water: Allow the soil to dry between waterings
  • Leaf Color: Light green with dark green/brown veining
  • Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall, 6-12 in. wide

 

 

Another recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden Award of Merit, the Ivy Leaf Peperomia (Peperomia griseoargentea) is a small clump-forming Peperomia with heart-shaped silvery-green leaves. Its deeply veined leaves can get it confused with some of the watermelon Peperomia plants (Peperomia argyreia and Peperomia verschaffeltii), but it can be distinguished by its coloring and its smaller leaves.

  • Name: Ivy Leaf Peperomia (Peperomia griseoargentea)
  • Light: Bright to medium indirect light
  • Water: Allow the soil to dry between waterings
  • Leaf Color: Silvery green
  • Mature Size: 6-8 in. tall, 5-7 in. wide

Peperomia caperata ‘Luna Red’. This Peperomia caperata cultivator is known for its dark, purplish-red foliage. In order to maintain its striking color this Peperomia does best with plenty of bright, indirect light. The Luna Red Peperomia was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

  • Name: Luna Red Peperomia (Peperomia caperata ‘Luna Red’)
  • Light: Bright indirect light
  • Water: Allow the top 2-3 inches to dry between waterings
  • Leaf Color: Dark purplish-red
  • Mature Size: 8 in. tall, 8 in. wide