Peperomia: Care, Planting & Propagating

With dwarf pepper species you can bring a colorful variety of plants into your home. The undemanding plants sometimes forgive a care mistake.

The genus Peperomia is extremely diverse, which is why several species can be kept next to each other without creating a monotonous picture. Here you can find out where peperomias feel comfortable and how to care for the undemanding plants.

Peperomia: characteristics and origin

The genus of peperomia (Peperomia) comprises over a thousand different species that are common in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They belong to the same plant family as pepper (Piper), namely to the pepper family (Piperaceae). For this reason, the small, slow-growing peperomias are also known as dwarf pepper or ornamental pepper. But how big does one get

Peperomia? Most of the species are herbaceous plants that usually do not grow larger than 40 cm. Like many other tropical plants, some can also be Peperomia-Species keep as houseplants. There are annual and perennial species, epiphytes that grow on trees, but also species that thrive on the earth or even on rocks. Dwarf pepper can grow upright, creeping, or pendulous. The species also differ in leaf shape and color, many also have succulent, fleshy leaves. the Peperomia shows its flowers between April and December. However, the green-white, spike-shaped inflorescences are quite inconspicuous.

Planting peperomia: location, soil and Co.

If you want to plant the ornamental pepper, first apply one for the Peperomia to find a suitable location. As for the temperature, all peperomies like to be warm, at least 18 ° C. In winter, many species should be cooler, at least 10 ° C. Avoid drafts. No general statements can be made about light, humidity and substrate, as different varieties show different needs here. You can find information on this in our article on the different types of permeates.

Most species, however, prefer a loose substrate that is well drained, as waterlogging cannot be tolerated. A mixture of two thirds of peat-free soil, such as ours, is suitable for this Plantura organic universal soil, and a third of expanded clay. The expanded clay also increases the permeability of our biological soil, so that ideal conditions are created for the peperomies. To avoid waterlogging, it is best to lay a drainage layer at the bottom, e.g. also made of expanded clay. Put the Peperomia then into the earth, fill in all the gaps with substrate and press it down firmly.

Instead of in earth, the Peperomia also in Hydroponics being held. Here the plant gets by without an organic substrate and is kept in expanded clay. This gives the plant support and, thanks to its good wettability, ensures that the nutrient solution reaches the roots. Unfortunately, special mineral hydroponic fertilizers have to be used for this, which due to their properties are not sustainable.

Tip: In summer, peperomies like to stand outside. Make sure that it never gets colder than 18 ° C or bring the dwarf pepper into the house at night.

Care of the peperomia

The dwarf pepper is ideally suited as an entry-level plant, because one Peperomia requires little maintenance. Should you ever make a mistake, she will forgive you Peperomia mostly without any problems.

Pour peperomia

First of all, the question arises: when should one Peperomia pour? Generally one can say that none Perperomia likes to stand wet. Above all, waterlogging must not occur under any circumstances. Therefore, about 15 minutes after watering, check whether water has collected in the saucer and pour it off. Otherwise, the water requirements of the different Peperomia species are different. Some like to stand drier, others should be watered regularly.

Fertilize peperomia

The nutritional requirements of the dwarf pepper are not particularly high. In the growing season you should use the Peperomia but fertilize occasionally, as all the nutrients in the pot will eventually be used up. A liquid green plant fertilizer such as ours Plantura organic indoor & green plant fertilizer is ideally suited. It strengthens leaves and roots and supports the growth of the Peperomia. This will keep your plant healthy and resilient. Half a dosage is enough for the Peperomia and can be added to the irrigation water about every four weeks from spring to autumn. In winter, the plant has less light and it grows even more slowly. During this time there is less watering and fertilization only every two months.

Repot the peperomia

Since the peperomia grows slowly and remains very small, it does not have to be repotted into a new container often. However, you should provide them with fresh soil in the spring, about every two years. The substrate sags over time, is less airy and can no longer be easily wetted with water. Fresh soil also contains important trace elements for the plant. It is time for a slightly larger pot when the roots grow out of the old one.

Cut peperomia

In spring, the shoot tips of the upright peperomia, such as Peperomia polybotrya, cut off so that they branch out and grow bushier at the point. In case you are looking for a species with drooping shoots, like Peperomia rotundifolia, you can cut it back more generously by up to a third.

Propagate peperomia

One Peperomia propagate via cuttings, either from the shoot or from the leaf. Spring is the best time for both methods. Which strategy you choose also depends on the type.

Shoot cuttings are best done from Peperomia- Cut species that grow branched, so the shoots can be clearly seen. A shoot cutting is cut from the plant below a leaf knot, as this is where the roots will later emerge. The cutting should be 5 - 8 cm long, all lower leaves are removed, the upper leaves remain. Now put the shoot cuttings in potting soil, such as ours Plantura organic herb & sowing soil, in which cuttings and seedlings are stimulated to develop stronger roots due to the low nutrient content. Slightly moisten the substrate and put a bell jar or plastic bag over the pot. Put everything in a bright place at around 18 ° C. Ventilate the cover daily. After four to six weeks, roots should have formed.

You can also try your luck with leaf cuttings. This method is particularly suitable for very compact growing species. To do this, a leaf with or without a stem is separated from the mother plant. Then stick it with the cut side or with the leaf stalk facing 1 cm deep in moist potting soil. Use ours for example Plantura organic herb & sowing soil mixed with 50% sand for more permeability. A high humidity and temperatures of 21 ° C offer the peperomia leaves optimal conditions. New plants then form on the leaf vein or on the base of the leaf. You can remove and plant the small peperomies after about eight weeks.

Tip: Always make several cuttings at the same time. Some of them may not be able to take root, and several plants can be planted in one pot at the same time, resulting in a bushier overall appearance.

Is Miniature Pepper Poisonous?

Miniature pepper is not poisonous, neither to humans nor to pets such as cats and dogs. The name of the ornamental plant even suggests that the dwarf pepper is edible. Except for a few species, however, this is not the case, and houseplants are better not to be consumed as they may have been treated with pesticides.
Peperomia inaequalifolia is also called cinnamon pepper and should taste the same. The leaves of have a mild mint aroma Peperomia pellucida.

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