You would like variety in your plant collection, but your green thumb is not quite mature yet? Then peperomies are just the thing for you.
With a large number of types and varieties, it is often difficult to decide. Since peperomias are very small, you can put several next to each other without any problems. We have put together a small selection of the most beautiful species for you here.
Peperomia species: how many are there?
The genus Peperomia is a very versatile and species-rich plant genus. These include 1500 to 1700 different species, which are mainly found in the tropics of South America, but also in Africa, Asia and Australia. Not all of the numerous Peperomia species are available as indoor plants. However, some have also made it into our homes, where they inspire with their easy care and varied foliage. They are also commercially available as ornamental peppers or dwarf peppers.
An overview of the most beautiful Peperomia species
There is a wide range of species and varieties of peperomias, many of which can also be grown as houseplants. Caring for the peperomias is quite simple. Dwarf peppers with light-colored foliage generally require more light than dark-colored ones.
Tip: Many garden guides lump all kinds of dwarf peppers together. But as diverse as the species is, so can the needs. Peperomia are very forgiving of care mistakes, which is why it can give the impression that they can cope with all conditions. However, specific care ensures he althier plants that you will benefit from for a long time.
Meaty dwarf pepper (Peperomia obtusifolia)
This fleshy Peperomia is probably the best known of the dwarf pepper species and is also called pepper face. Its leaves are ovate and thick, capable of storing water. The shoots grow upright and are also slightly fleshy. Color your home with the different varieties of Peperomia obtusifolia.
- Peperomia obtusifolia 'Variegata': Has creamy white and green marbled foliage.
- Peperomia obtusifolia 'Bohemian Bravour': Has dark green glossy leaves.
- Peperomia obtusifolia 'Greengold': The foliage has a particularly high proportion of white or light green, so this variety should be a little lighter.
Care instructions for Peperomia obtusifolia:
High-quality pot plant soil such as our Plantura organic universal soil, which contains no peat and can store water for a long time, is suitable as a substrate for this species. You can mix in 30% sand for more permeability. It is poured when the soil surface has dried. The location should be partially shaded.
Round-leaved peperomia (Peperomia rotundifolia)
Due to its creeping growth habit, the round-leaved dwarf pepper can be kept hanging, for example in a traffic light pot. The leaves of Peperomia rotundifolia are, as the name suggests, round, small and of a fleshy consistency.
Care instructions for Peperomia rotundifolia:
A partially shaded location is ideal for this species. It feels good in high-quality soil for indoor or potted plants and tolerates neither waterlogging nor drought. So always water when the surface of the substrate feels dry.
Ornamental raindrop pepper (Peperomia polybotrya)
The large, heart-shaped leaves of the Peperomia polybotrya make it easy to see where the species got its name from. The foliage is reminiscent of thick raindrops due to the pointed tip of the leaf and is therefore an absolute eye-catcher in the apartment. The leaves are dark green and shiny like varnish.
- Peperomia polybotrya 'Variegata': With variegated leaves in light and dark green.
Care instructions for Peperomia polybotrya:
A loose, structurally stable substrate, such as our Plantura organic universal soil, is ideal for this species. Our organic soil does not require peat and consists of natural ingredients. Place the Peperomia in a semi-shady place with morning or evening sun and water regularly so that it is not overgrowndehydration nor waterlogging.
Wrinkled Dwarf Pepper (Peperomia carperata)
The Peperomia carperata has slightly smaller but similarly shaped leaves to the raindrop ornamental pepper. The strongly structured surface gives the leaves an interesting appearance.
- Peperomia carperata 'Luna Red': With dark red colored foliage.
- Peperomia carperata 'Pink Lady': Has pink and light green marbled leaves.
- Peperomia carperata 'Abricos': Here the leaves are pink only at the edges and dark green in the middle.
Care instructions for Peperomia carperata:
For a suitable substrate, mix a peat-free universal soil with 30% sand or clay granules. When watering, the right amount is required, because the soil should neither dry out nor be wet.
Peperomia albovittata
This species also has heart-shaped leaves with a light surface structure. The red shoots, which are particularly effective in green-leaved varieties, are particularly eye-catching. Peperomia albovittata grows upright and can be solid or patterned.
- Peperomia albovitatta 'Piccolo Banda': The leaves are dark red and green striped.
- Peperomia albovitatta 'Rana verde': Translated as 'green frog', it has bright green, unicolored leaves.
Care instructions for Peperomia albovittata:
This species likes well-drained green plant soil or a cactus substrate. It requires slightly more water than most other species and should be watered regularly so the substrate is consistently moist. However, waterlogging is not tolerated.
Watermelon perperomia (Peperomia argyreia)
With its silvery-green striped, round and pointed leaves, Peperomia argyreia strongly resembles the exterior of a watermelon. As with Peperomia albovittata, the shoots of the Watermelon Peperomia are red and grow upright.
Care instructions for Peperomia argyreia:
The substrate for the watermelon Peperomia must be well drained. Mix 30% sand under a good quality, peat-free substrate to further increase permeability. The soil is allowed to dry out until the next watering.
Pincushion Peperomia (Peperomia ferreyrae)
The upright shoots of Peperomia ferreyrae are densely leafed. Their foliage has a completely different shape than that of the species mentioned above. The leaves are narrow, elongated and curled, giving them an unusual appearance.
- Peperomia ferreyrae 'Happy Bean': The leaves of the Peperomia 'Happy Bean' are light green and their shape is reminiscent of beans.
Care instructions for Peperomia ferreyrae:
The Pincushion Peperomia needs a particularly well drained substrate. Mix either 30% pumice, universal soil and sand or use a special mix for cacti. Allow the substrate to almost dry out between waterings.
Peperomia prostrata
Due to the small, round leaves, this dwarf pepper is similar to Peperomia rotundifolia. However, their leaves are even smaller and can be patterned or monochromatic. They sit on long red shoots, which allow this dwarf pepper to be held hanging.
- Peperomia prostrata 'Pepperspot': The round, green leaves of the pepperomia 'Pepperspot' sit on the red shoots like small dots.
Care instructions for Peperomia prostrata:
Also with this species, the substrate is allowed to dry out before it is poured again. The soil must be permeable. An increased permeability can be achieved, for example, by mixing a universal soil with 30% sand.
Tip: If you regularly provide your peperomias with a small portion of liquid fertilizer such as our Plantura organic indoor and green plant fertilizer during the growing season between spring and autumn, you will get he althy ones and lush plants with lush green leaves that are a guaranteed eye-catcher in every home. You can easily add our fertilizer directly into the soil via the irrigation water, where the nutrients are quickly available to the plants.
In our top 10 easy-care indoor plants you will find suggestions as to which species you can use to further enrich the green diversity in your home.