Peperomia

Common name: Radiator plant and American baby rubber plant

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The origin of the radiator plant is from the Amazon region and South America. Pepperomias have more than 1000 known species. They are compact, small perennial epiphytes, and in the wild they grow on rotten wood. Cuttings from branches can grow both in soil and water. Although it may be tempting to think of Peperomias as succulents, due to their thick, slightly succulent leaves, but that will be a mistake because they generally prefer higher humidity, and more water than most succulents. These plants are attractive and give bizarre looking flowers, like spikes. Peperomias are relatively easy to grow.

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Light

The green varieties of Peperomias do well in low light (2m to 3m away from a window), although they will tolerate medium or even bright light. But the variegated ones will need more light (1.5m to 2m from a window), medium to high light but definitely no direct sunlight; as this may cause leaves to lose their coloration. As a general rule, variegated foliage requires more sunlight than green ones.

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Temperature

Aim for 20 C to 30 C in any room and provide relatively high humidity for this plant, by setting the pot on a gravel tray filled with water.

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Watering

American rubber plants should be watered infrequently, wait until the top 1 to 2 cm of soil have dried out.

 

Feeding

You should feed the plant every 3 to 4 weeks as long as you see it growing, usually March to September.

 

Helpful instructions

Peperomia plants do enjoy confined small containers, same like cacti and succulents.

A positive aspect of Peperomias, is that they purify air, according to NASA research, reducing the levels of formaldehyde and other toxins from the air we breathe.

 

 Varieties of Perperomia available in store