With dwarf pepper you can bring a colorful variety of plants into your home. The undemanding plants also forgive a care mistake.
The genus Peperomia is extremely diverse, which is why several species can be kept side by side without creating a monotonous picture. Here you can find out in which location peperomias feel comfortable and how to care for the undemanding plants.
Peperomia: characteristics and origin
The plant genus Peperomia (Peperomia) includes over a thousand different species that are distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They belong to the same plant family as the pepper (Piper), namely to the pepper family (Piperaceae). For this reason, the small, slow-growing Peperomia are also known as dwarf peppers or ornamental peppers. But how big does a Peperomia get? Most species are herbaceous plants that usually do not grow larger than 40 cm. Like many other tropical plants, some Peperomia species can be kept as house plants. There are annual and perennial species, epiphytes that grow on trees, but also species that thrive on soil or even rock. Dwarf pepper can grow upright, creeping or hanging. The species also differ in leaf shape and color, many also have succulent, fleshy leaves. The Peperomia blooms between April and December. However, the green-white, spike-shaped inflorescences are quite inconspicuous.
Peperomia plants: location, soil and co.
If you want to plant the ornamental pepper, you first have to find a suitable location for the Peperomia. As far as temperature goes, all peperomias like to be warm, at least 18°C. Many species should be cooler in winter, at least 10 °C. Avoid drafts. No general statements can be made about light, humidity and substrate, as different varieties have different needs heredemonstrate. For more information, see our article on the different types of peperomias.
However, most species prefer a loose substrate that is well drained, as waterlogging is not tolerated. A mixture of two-thirds peat-free soil, such as our Plantura organic universal soil, and one-third expanded clay is suitable for this. The expanded clay also increases the permeability of our biological soil, creating ideal conditions for the peperomia. In order to avoid waterlogging, it is best to lay a drainage layer at the bottom, also made of expanded clay, for example. Then plant the Peperomia in the ground, fill in any gaps with substrate and press down firmly.
Instead of soil, the Peperomia can also be grown hydroponically. Here the plant does not need any organic substrate and is kept in expanded clay. This gives the plant support and, thanks to its good wetting ability, ensures that the nutrient solution reaches the roots. Unfortunately, special mineral hydroponic fertilizers have to be used for this, which are not sustainable due to their properties.
Tip: Peperomies like to be outside in the summer. Make sure it never gets colder than 18 °C or bring the dwarf pepper indoors at night.
Peperomia care
The dwarf pepper is ideally suited as a starter plant, because a Peperomia requires little care. Should you make a mistake, the Peperomia will usually forgive you without any problems.
Casting
First of all, the question arises: When should you water a Peperomia? Generally speaking, no Peperomia likes to be wet. Above all, waterlogging must not occur under any circumstances. Therefore, check about 15 minutes after watering whether water has collected in the saucer and pour it off. Otherwise, the water requirements of the different Peperomia species are different. Some like to be drier, others should be watered regularly.
Fertilize Peperomia
The nutrient requirement of the dwarf pepper is not particularly high. However, you should fertilize the Peperomia occasionally during the growing season, because at some point all the nutrients in the pot will be used up. A liquid green plant fertilizer such as our Plantura organic room and green plant fertilizer is ideal. It strengthens leaves and roots and supports the growth of thePeperomia. This keeps your plant he althy and resilient. Half a dose is sufficient for the Peperomia and can be added to the irrigation water about every four weeks from spring to autumn. In winter, the plant has less light and it grows even more slowly. During this time, watering is reduced and fertilizer is only applied every two months.
Repot Peperomia
Since the Peperomia grows slowly and stays very small, it doesn't need to be transplanted into a new container often. However, it should be supplied with fresh soil in the spring, about every two years. The substrate sags over time, is less airy and can no longer be easily wetted with water. Fresh soil also contains important trace elements for the plant. It's time for a slightly larger pot when the roots grow out of the old one.
Cut
In the spring, the shoot tips of the upright growing peperomias, such as Peperomia polybotrya, can also be cut off so that they branch out and grow bushier. If you have chosen a species with hanging shoots, such as Peperomia rotundifolia, you can prune it back more generously by up to a third.
Propagating Peperomia
Propagate a Peperomia by cuttings, either from the shoot or from the leaf. Spring is the best time for both methods. The strategy you choose also depends on the species.
shoot cuttings are best cut from Peperomia species, which grow branched, so you can clearly see the shoots. A shoot cutting is cut off the plant below a leaf node, as this is where the roots will later emerge. The cutting should be 5 - 8 cm long, all lower leaves are removed, the upper ones remain. Now put the shoot cuttings in potting soil, such as our Plantura organic herb and seed soil, in which the cuttings and seedlings are encouraged to develop stronger roots due to the low nutrient content. Slightly moisten the substrate and put a glass bell or plastic bag over the pot. Put everything in a bright place at around 18 °C. Air the cover daily. Roots should appear after four to six weeks.
You can also try your luck with leaf cuttings. This method is particularly suitable for species that grow very compactly. For this, a leaf with or without a stem is separated from the mother plant. Then stick it with the cut side or with the petiole down 1 cm deep in moist potting soil. For example, use our Plantura Organic Herb & Seed Soil mixed with 50% sand for more permeability. A high level of humidity and temperatures of 21 °C offer the Peperomia leaves optimal conditions. New plants then form at the leaf vein or at the leaf base. You can remove and plant the small peperomies after about eight weeks.
Tip: Always make several cuttings at once. Some may not root, and it also allows multiple plants to be planted in one pot for a bushier overall look.
Is dwarf pepper poisonous?
Dwarf pepper is non-toxic, neither to humans nor to pets such as cats and dogs. The name of the ornamental plant even suggests that the dwarf pepper is edible. With the exception of a few species, this is not the case, and indoor plants should not be eaten, as they may have been treated with pesticides.
Peperomia inaequalifolia also called cinnamon pepper and should taste the same. The leaves of Peperomia pellucida have a mild mint aroma.
The spiderworts (Tradescantia) form an equally diverse plant genus. We present the most beautiful species and show you how to plant and care for them.