Emerald Ripple Peperomia

Peperomia caperata     Origin: South America

The Peperomia caperata is among the few Peperomia that can tolerate life as a houseplant. With rippled, heart-shaped leaves in hues that range from rich green to silver, this easygoing plant may even sprout delicate white flowers in the right conditions.

Common Issues

Leaf drop: The most common cause of this is exposure to cold temperatures or extremes in watering.
Leaf yellowing: This is most likely due overwatering, and can be prevented by allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Light: These plants prefer bright indirect light, so a western or southern exposure in the home is best.

Water: Treat your Peperomia like a true succulent, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Humidity: Try to maintain moderately high humidity around these plants, as their succulent leaves will become pest magnets in low humidity. Spider mites can be particularly troublesome because their coloration can blend in easily with the foliage.

Growth: These Peperomia are characterized by their low stature and dense habit. The reddish or silvery leaves have deep veins that lend them a rippled appearance. Their unique inflorescences take on a rat-tail like quality, growing upright above the foliage.

Soil: Opt for a standard peat-based potting mix. If you tend to overwater, consider adding extra perlite to increase drainage. These plants will grow almost continually throughout the year, so apply a slow release fertilizer regularly.

Temperature: Peperomia are truly tropical plants and will be easily damaged or killed if exposed to cool temperatures. Keep yours between 65-85°F to maintain good health.

Repotting: Though this plant grows relatively fast, due to its compact habit, it will not need to be repotted often. When you do repot, choose only a slightly larger container than its existing one to avoid it sitting in excess soil.

Extra TLC: We recommend watering your peperomia from below. Watering from the top can result in water drops collecting in the dense foliage, leading to rot over time.