Table of Contents
- Peperomia Obtusifolia
- Peperomia Napoli Nights
- Peperomia Prostrata
- Peperomia Angulata
- Peperomia Obtusifolia Varagata
Peperomia gets kind of a bad reputation out there. people either love them or they absolutely hate them. What it really boils down to is conditions. There are 1500 species of Peperomia out there and unfortunately no one Peperomia is going to be great in all conditions.
Most of the time the Peperomia is on the market or either really great for people who have a high humidity/terrarium environment or they love it and leave it alone succulent type of Peperomia. So, we are going to break that down today and help you determine what Peperomia is going to work best in your home. These are the easiest in a variety of conditions so that you can choose which one’s going to work best for you in yours.
Peperomia Obtusifolia
This beautiful plant has jade green, circular leaves and they are very thick chunky succulent-like leaves. This plant does not need a lot of water.
You will notice it has a very thick stem so it can hold a lot of water. Because of this, it does not need to be watered that often. This is one of those plants that if you give it too much water all the time it is going to rot so definitely wait until it clearly needs water, the leaves are soft and flexible, and then you can water it. Bottom watering usually works better for Peperomia, depending on the type of substrate it is in.
This particular plant does not need a lot of light but it can handle more light than most Peperomia. It is very much like a succulent. So, if you want to keep it in brighter light it will be alright with that. If the leaves start to get little brown spots on them. Generally, that’s because it’s getting sunburned in a little too much light so just pull it back. Then the new growth will look fine for you.
Peperomia Napoli Nights
This is one that prefers a higher humidity and a lower light. They like morning light a little bit better and they like it to be about 45 to 50% humidity or more. As a bushing, clumping, plant. They definitely prefer to be bottom watered as well.
Do not mist this plant as the water was sit on the leaves which will cause brown spots. Fungus and bacterial infections can happen because the leaves are so tightly clumped together that the water can’t leave properly. Especially if they are in a limited airflow location. If there is some sort of fan then this is less of a concern.
These plants are very easy to care though. All you have to do is to set them in a morning light window and just leave it there. You do not have to water them that often. Also, the beautiful silver sheen as the leaves sparkle in that morning light is something fantastic to see when you wake up every morning. It is absolutely gorgeous
Peperomia Prostrata
A very easy care plant as long as you get a more mature version. If you get a smaller version it is going to need a terrarium environment. However, if you get a larger pot, with a more mature plant, then when the leaves are bigger(more succulent) they are going to be able to hold on to more water. They will also be able to handle that lower humidity environment for you.
They are also called “String of Turtles”. Because they get these turtle shell markings on their tops. If they get too much light then they can burn a little bit. They generally prefer morning light but it is just one of those plants that once you get them in the right conditions you don’t have to water them that often. You can just walk up and enjoy their beautiful new growth.
Peperomia Angulata
They are very beautiful plants. They are trailing, creeping Peperomia. Also they have these beautiful leaves that are almost spear shaped. And then they have this beautiful green venation that goes over the top of them.
This Peperomia can handle a lot more light. This plant is one of the most versatile Peperomia out there because they can handle the terrarium environments but they can also handle standard environments. Angulata are also a really awesome plant in the sense that they enjoy being pruned. So when you cut one vine it will actually divide into two. so then you cut those two vines and they each divide into two more. It is really fascinating. You can get a really bushy plant very easily this way. Angulata are also very easy to propagate! This makes them very fun beginner plants for pruners.
As well as just being a very easy care plant, they do not need a lot of water. They also do not need a lot of attention. They do prefer that higher light to produce new growth but if you stick them in a lower light they will just sit there. Very similar to a snake plant they won’t pass on but they won’t grow either. They are one of those “you could do what you want with them” plants. They do not necessarily need any special conditions but if you want them to have their best life then give them a little bit higher humidity and a lot more light.
Peperomia Obtusifolia Varagata
I absolutely adore this plant personally because it has all this variegation going on but then you get these very, big, thick, leaves! It does not need a lot of light or a lot of attention. However, if you give it lighter it will be completely fine. This is one of those variegated plants that if it gets some direct light it is not going to burn for you. Especially if you get a more mature version.
They grow in a bush formation and the stem gets even thicker as it matures. This is definitely one of the reasons why Peperomia is tossed in with succulents as far as care goes. Because they have these thick leaves and can handle a variety of conditions, they do not need higher humidity. You can place them in 10 to 15% humidity and they will be fine. If you want them to grow and produce a lot more foliage then just give them a little bit more humidity than that.
The only caveat with this plant is: that if you water it all the time it is going to rot. Because their thick leaves hold a lot of water if you try to give them more too soon it is going to cause edema. They are not going to be able to hold it so you just want to make sure that you wait on the watering and you just set them there. While you wait just look at them and enjoy how pretty they are.
Hopefully, this helps you find the Peperomia of your dreams. One that will thrive in your home environment. Hopefully, this gives you a little bit more hope for Peperomia care and helps to troubleshoot some issues that you may be having with your particular Peperomia.
