Family: Piperaceae
Common name: Piper peperomia, Cupid peperomia, Acrocapidium Scandens, False-Philodendron Peperomia
Piper peperomia are beautiful trailing plants with succulent green stems and leaves, that are ideal for hanging pots and baskets and also for ledges with very little soil. They can grow 1.5 to 2 meters with long trailing stems that are capable of rooting at the nodes.
Leaves are 1-2 cms long, glossy and succulent staying green for a very long time. Belonging to the Pepper family of Piperaceae, their long trailing vine-like stems can climb trellises, supporting structures, or surrounding vegetation.
These plants do well in partial shade since too much sunlight can brown the leaf edges. Piper peperomia plants can easily be grown indoors provided there is indirect sunlight or artificial lighting. They are non-fussy and need very little care.
These ornamental plants produce greenish-white flowers which look like small spikes pointing upwards. Piper peperomia flowers are quite inconspicuous compared to their glossy leaves, and the plant is grown mostly for its foliage. These plants are ideal for hanging baskets or pots since their long trailing stems fall over the edges, making your garden exceptionally beautiful.
Since these plants are easy to grow and propagate, they can also be used in vertical gardens to bring in a green, rainforest ambiance. These versatile plants can also be placed on desks, workstations, living rooms.
Plant your Piper peperomia plants in loose, well-aerated soil with cocopeat, compost, and sand mixed in with garden soil. Water when the topsoil is dry, increasing the frequency of watering in summer. Indoor plants do not need to be watered frequently. Liquid fertilization every month or so will help the plant grow and flourish.
Repotting is required only when the plant grows too big for its pot, once in 3-4 years depending on the plant growth and size of the pot.
All Peperomia plants are good for home gardens, with their beautiful foliage and easy maintenance regime.
Peperomia obtusifolia or Baby rubberplants also make good indoor and outdoor plants for your garden. Though it’s mostly seen in the wild, Peperomia pellucida or Shiny bush plants can also be grown easily in home gardens. There is a variegated species of Piper peperomia as well, with white or yellow highlights around the edges but green in the middle.
Propagation is through stem cuttings that root easily in soil or in water.
