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Peperomia
Also called Radiator Plants
Peperomia is a large genus of over 1,000 small, mostly compact tropical plants, with many widely grown houseplant species such as P. obtusifolia and P. argyreia. Most are easy to care for, and the key is bright indirect light and watering only when the top of the soil dries out.
Peperomia is one of the two large genera of the family Piperaceae. It is estimated that there are over 1,000 species, occurring in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are concentrated in South and Central America, but may also be found in southern North America, the Caribbean islands, Africa, Oceania, and southern and eastern parts of Asia. The exact number of species is difficult to determine, as some plants have been recorded several times with different names, and new species continue to be discovered. Peperomias have adapted to many different environments and their appearances vary greatly. Some are epiphytes (growing on other plants) or lithophytes (growing on rock or in rock crevices), and many are xerophytes (drought-tolerant, with thick succulent structures to save water) or possess underground tubers (geophytes).
These plants can be propagated by seeds, by cuttings, or by dividing. Peperomia cuttings of many species root easily.
Cuttings should be taken in spring or summer, with the lower leaves removed and a cut made just below a node. The cuttings are left to dry for about an hour to allow a protective callus tissue to form, preventing rot. Once dried, they can be planted in a well-draining substrate such as perlite or peat moss. Semi-succulent species benefit from bottom heat around 21–24°C (70–75°F), but it is important not to seal the top completely, as excessive humidity can be detrimental. Once roots have formed, the cuttings can be transplanted into 75 mm (3 in) pots or hanging baskets.
Peperomias are found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. Northern South America and Central America host the largest number of species, but peperomias can also be found in Africa, southern Asia, and Oceania. The exact number of peperomia species continues to change as new plants are discovered and some distinct plant names, perhaps catalogued in separate geographical regions, are realised to describe the same species. Therefore, the table below gives only a rough overall impression of the worldwide distribution.
Peperomia angustata · Watermelon Pepper · Peperomia bracteata · Emerald Ripple Pepper · Peperomia clusiifolia · Peperomia columella · Peperomia congona · Peperomia ferreyrae · Ivy Pepper · Peperomia inaequalifolia · Peperomia macrorhiza · Peperomia monticola
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Peperomia by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
