Want a small houseplant with real texture? Meet Peperomia caperata, the emerald ripple peperomia. Its small, heart-shaped leaves are so deeply wrinkled they look quilted, and the color sits so dark in the furrows it reads almost black.
It’s a tidy little plant for a desk, a shelf or a windowsill, and it doesn’t ask for much. Get the water and the light right and it keeps its neat, compact mound with very little fuss.
Where does the name come from? NC State Extension says the genus name Peperomia comes from two Greek words, peperi (pepper) and homoios (resembling), a nod to its resemblance to the true black pepper plant, Piper nigrum.
The species name caperata is Latin for wrinkled, describing the leaf texture. The Missouri Botanical Garden adds that peperomias are closely related to black pepper, not just look-alikes.
Peperomia Caperata Quick Care Tips
- Botanical name: Peperomia caperata (NC State Extension lists Peperomia argentea as a former name)
- Common names: Emerald ripple peperomia, ripple peperomia, green ripple peperomia, little fantasy peperomia, radiator plant
- Pronunciation: pep-er-ROH-mee-uh kap-er-AY-tuh (NC State Extension)
- Family and origin: Piperaceae (pepper family); native to Brazil
- Growability: Easy, low maintenance
- Hardiness zones: USDA 11 to 12
- Size: About 8 inches tall and wide (Missouri Botanical Garden); Clemson Extension says up to 10 inches
- Flowering: Thin, whitish-green flower spikes, 2 to 3 inches long, in summer and early fall; not showy
- Light: Bright, indirect light; a north or east window; no direct afternoon sun
- Temperature: Minimum 60°F in winter (Missouri Botanical Garden); keep away from cold drafts
- Humidity: Missouri Botanical Garden says it likes high humidity in summer; NC State Extension says medium to low relative humidity suits it
- Soil: Peaty, well-drained potting mix in a pot with drainage holes
- Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings (Clemson Extension); water less from fall through winter (Missouri Botanical Garden)
- Fertilizer: Light feeding in spring and summer only
- Pests and problems: Mealybugs, spider mites, whiteflies, scale, fungus gnats; root rot from overwatering; leaf spot; ring spot virus (both disease reports describe it on P. obtusifolia)
- Propagation: Leaf cuttings or stem tip cuttings in spring
- Pet safety: Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA)
- Uses: Desk, tabletop and windowsill plant; ground cover in frost-free gardens
What Peperomia Caperata Looks Like
The Missouri Botanical Garden describes a dense, mound-forming tropical perennial that typically grows to 8 inches tall and as wide. It forms rosettes of long-stemmed, wrinkled, deeply corrugated, heart-shaped dark green leaves, each up to about 1½ inches long, on red-tinged stalks.
NC State Extension notes the leaves are so dark they almost appear purple, and that the leaf stalks are usually pinkish to reddish.
In the wild it’s a Brazilian plant. The Missouri Botanical Garden calls it an epiphyte (a plant that grows on other plants for support), and NC State Extension says that in the tropics it grows as an evergreen ground cover and can also be epiphytic in the jungles of South America.
Outdoors in the U.S., both list it for USDA zones 11 to 12 only, so for most of us it’s a houseplant.
Flowers: The Mouse Tails
Don’t be surprised when skinny spikes poke up above the leaves. The Missouri Botanical Garden says tiny whitish-green flowers bloom on 2- to 3-inch spikes in summer and early fall, atop thin reddish stalks.
They’re not showy, but they come in abundance, and the stalks are said to resemble mouse tails. Clemson Extension says peperomia flower spikes are considered unattractive, and removing them lets the plant put its energy into leaves. Your call.
Ripple Peperomia Varieties
Breeders have had a lot of fun with this species. NC State Extension lists cultivars of Peperomia caperata including ‘Burgundy’ (red-green leaves), ‘Red Ripple’ (bright purplish red leaves that turn light green as they mature), ‘Rosso’ (thin, pointed dark green leaves, red underneath), ‘Frost’ (silvery green leaves), ‘Silver’, ‘Quito’, ‘Abricos’, ‘Pink Lady’, ‘Red Luna’ and ‘Variegata’.
Clemson Extension adds that ripple plant cultivars come with burgundy-red foliage or green with silver variegation. One caveat on ‘Rosso’: it is sold as a caperata, but its U.S. plant patent (PP24,379) describes ‘Eden Rosso’ as a seedling from a cross of Peperomia marmorata and Peperomia metallica.
Read more about Peperomia Rosso, Peperomia caperata Frost and the crinkle peperomia, or browse more Peperomia varieties.
Emerald Ripple Peperomia Care
Light
Bright, indirect light is the sweet spot. The Missouri Botanical Garden recommends bright indirect light, says the best indoor spot is a north or east window, and says to avoid direct afternoon sun.
NC State Extension calls medium light, such as sun filtered through a thin curtain, ideal. Clemson Extension suggests indirect light from an east or south window and says peperomia can even tolerate somewhat low light near a large north window.
Watch the sun, though. Clemson says that if peperomia gets direct sun, the leaves may scorch. NC State says the plant tolerates low light for several months without stress.
No good window? You’re in luck. The Missouri Botanical Garden says it thrives under fluorescent lights, and NC State says it performs well with bright fluorescent lights, which makes it a natural office plant.
Temperature
Keep it warm. The Missouri Botanical Garden gives 60°F as the minimum recommended winter temperature and says wetness and cold winter temperatures must be avoided. NC State Extension says the plant will not tolerate very drafty sites, so keep it away from cold windows, doors that open to winter air, and heating or cooling vents.
Want to give it a summer outdoors? Clemson Extension says peperomias can go outside once nighttime temperatures stay at 60°F or higher, placed in a bright but shady spot with no direct sun.
Watering
Here’s where most ripple peperomias get into trouble: too much water. Clemson Extension says peperomia prefers to dry out between waterings and that an overwatered plant will drop its leaves. Clemson also says root rot caused by overwatering is the most common disease of peperomia.
The Missouri Botanical Garden says to water moderately but consistently during the growing season (spring to fall), letting the soil almost dry on top before watering again, then to reduce watering from fall through winter.
NC State Extension says the plant will not tolerate wet soil or very dry soil. Clemson says to water, let the pot drain, and only then set it back in its saucer.
Bottom watering is a good habit for this plant. Clemson says fungal leaf spots can be prevented by keeping the leaves dry when you water. A University of Illinois Extension report on peperomia diseases advises watering from below and keeping the soil on the dry side to help avoid Phytophthora rot.
Humidity
Sources don’t fully agree here, so here are both views. The Missouri Botanical Garden says Peperomia caperata likes high humidity in summer and suggests setting the pot on wet pebbles in a humidified room and misting often.
NC State Extension says medium to low relative humidity suits it, and its general peperomia page says these plants can thrive in the humidity of most homes, with a humidifier if the home is very dry. Clemson Extension adds that a humidifier helps in winter.
If you mist or use a pebble tray, keep air moving. NC State says good air circulation and keeping the leaves dry help prevent leaf spots.
Soil and Repotting
Drainage comes first. The Missouri Botanical Garden recommends a peaty potting mix. Clemson Extension recommends a well-drained houseplant or cactus potting mix, and NC State Extension says to use a porous, well-draining potting soil because the plant is susceptible to root rot. Always use a pot with drainage holes.
Growers go even lighter. A UF/IFAS Extension production guide says peperomia roots are very sensitive to waterlogged soil and that peat-lite mixes with coarse particles, such as perlite, give the needed aeration.
Don’t rush to repot. Clemson says peperomia does not need repotting every year and can stay in the same pot for several years. When you do repot, Clemson suggests a pot only slightly larger than the old one.
Fertilizing
Go easy on the food. Clemson Extension says to fertilize peperomia only while it is actively growing in spring and summer, using a low-strength liquid fertilizer occasionally, or a slow-release granular fertilizer once a year.
The Missouri Botanical Garden suggests fertilizer once a month during the growing season and none from fall through winter. Follow the label for the amount.
Why so light? UF/IFAS says peperomia roots are very fine and easily damaged by excess salts, and that roots often die back before you see any sign on the leaves. If salts build up, flush the pot thoroughly with water.
Pruning and Grooming
Trim off old or damaged leaves whenever they show up. For a fuller plant, Clemson Extension says to prune a stem just above a leaf node so the plant branches. The Missouri Botanical Garden says to cut back foliage as needed to keep the plant’s shape.
How To Propagate Peperomia Caperata
Ripple peperomia is one of the easiest plants to share. NC State Extension says to propagate it by leaf or stem tip cuttings in spring, and UF/IFAS says commercial growers normally propagate Peperomia caperata from leaf cuttings.
Leaf cuttings. Clemson Extension says to remove a leaf with at least an inch of its leaf stalk (petiole) and insert it into a rooting medium. New plants form at the base of the stalk and can then be separated and potted.
Stem cuttings. Clemson says to cut a 3- to 5-inch piece of stem, remove the leaves on the lower third, dip the end in rooting hormone, insert it into potting soil or a rooting medium, cover it with clear plastic and keep it out of direct sun.
Take cuttings only from healthy plants. The University of Illinois says peperomia ring spot is commonly spread by taking cuttings from plants that look healthy but are infected.
Related: Learn more about Peperomia propagation.
Peperomia Caperata Pests and Diseases
The good news: the University of Illinois says peperomias are subject to only a few diseases. Two of them, Phytophthora rot and cutting rot, are soilborne rots, and its advice for both starts with avoiding overwatering.
Root and stem rot. Clemson Extension says root rot from overwatering is the most common peperomia disease. NC State Extension says root rot and yellowing or curling leaves point to overwatering.
The University of Illinois describes Phytophthora rot as a black rot that starts at the soil line, causing lower leaves to droop and plants to wilt and die, and it advises destroying affected plants, avoiding overwatering and heavy, poorly drained mixes, and keeping the soil on the dry side.
Leaf spot. NC State says leaf spot occasionally occurs on this species. Keep the leaves dry and give the plant good air circulation.
Ring spot. This one is a virus. The University of Illinois says peperomia ring spot shows up as concentric brown rings that disfigure the leaves, sometimes with cupped or twisted young leaves and stunting, and that it is commonly spread by taking cuttings from infected plants.
UF/IFAS says no chemical controls a virus disease, advises destroying plants with these symptoms, and says to clean cutting tools between plants. The Illinois report says diseased plants will not recover. Both reports describe ring spot on Peperomia obtusifolia; neither names Peperomia caperata.
Insects. Clemson lists mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, scale and whiteflies as the pests most often found on peperomias, and NC State lists whiteflies, mealybugs and spider mites for this species. Check under the leaves and in the leaf joints when you water.
Related: More on controlling pests and diseases on peperomia.
Is Peperomia Caperata Safe for Pets?
Yes. The ASPCA lists emerald ripple peperomia (Peperomia caperata) as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Clemson Extension says most peperomias are considered safe for pets. That still doesn’t make it a chew toy, so keep it where curious pets can’t shred it.
Ways To Use Emerald Ripple Peperomia
In most of the United States, this is an indoor plant. NC State Extension says it is commonly used as an interior specimen or desktop plant and suggests a container or hanging basket. Its small size suits a tabletop, a bookshelf or an office desk under fluorescent lights.
In frost-free gardens, the Missouri Botanical Garden and NC State both say it can be grown as a ground cover or at the front of a border.
Is your ripple peperomia a deep green, a burgundy or a silver? Tell us which one is on your windowsill!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Peperomia caperata safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists emerald ripple peperomia (Peperomia caperata) as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and Clemson Extension says most peperomias are considered safe for pets. That makes it a good choice for a home with animals, though it is still best kept where pets can’t chew it to pieces.
How often should I water a ripple peperomia?
Let it dry out between waterings. Clemson Extension says peperomia prefers to dry out between waterings and that an overwatered plant will drop its leaves. The Missouri Botanical Garden says to water moderately but consistently from spring to fall, letting the soil almost dry on top, and to water less from fall through winter. Clemson also says overwatering causes root rot, the most common peperomia disease, so let the pot drain before it goes back in its saucer.
How much light does Peperomia caperata need?
Bright, indirect light is best. The Missouri Botanical Garden recommends a north or east window and says to avoid direct afternoon sun, while Clemson Extension says direct sun may scorch the leaves. NC State Extension says it tolerates low light for several months and performs well under bright fluorescent lights, which makes it a good office plant.
What is the lowest temperature Peperomia caperata can handle?
Keep it at 60°F or warmer. The Missouri Botanical Garden gives 60°F as the minimum recommended winter temperature and says wetness and cold winter temperatures must be avoided. NC State Extension says the plant will not tolerate very drafty sites, so keep it away from cold windows, outside doors and vents in winter.
What causes ring spots on peperomia leaves?
A virus. The University of Illinois Extension says peperomia ring spot causes concentric brown rings on the leaves and is commonly spread by taking cuttings from plants that look healthy but are infected. UF/IFAS Extension says no chemical controls it, advises destroying plants with symptoms, and says to clean cutting tools between plants. Both reports describe it on Peperomia obtusifolia rather than caperata. Take cuttings only from healthy plants.
==
Want a small houseplant with real texture? Meet Peperomia caperata, the emerald ripple peperomia. Its small, heart-shaped leaves are so deeply wrinkled they look quilted, and the color sits so dark in the furrows it reads almost black.
It’s a tidy little plant for a desk, a shelf or a windowsill, and it doesn’t ask for much. Get the water and the light right and it keeps its neat, compact mound with very little fuss.
Where does the name come from? NC State Extension says the genus name Peperomia comes from two Greek words, peperi (pepper) and homoios (resembling), a nod to its resemblance to the true black pepper plant, Piper nigrum. The species name caperata is Latin for wrinkled, describing the leaf texture. The Missouri Botanical Garden adds that peperomias are closely related to black pepper, not just look-alikes.
Peperomia Caperata Quick Care Tips
- Botanical name: Peperomia caperata (NC State Extension lists Peperomia argentea as a former name)
- Common names: Emerald ripple peperomia, ripple peperomia, green ripple peperomia, little fantasy peperomia, radiator plant
- Pronunciation: pep-er-ROH-mee-uh kap-er-AY-tuh (NC State Extension)
- Family and origin: Piperaceae (pepper family); native to Brazil
- Growability: Easy, low maintenance
- Hardiness zones: USDA 11 to 12
- Size: About 8 inches tall and wide (Missouri Botanical Garden); Clemson Extension says up to 10 inches
- Flowering: Thin, whitish-green flower spikes, 2 to 3 inches long, in summer and early fall; not showy
- Light: Bright, indirect light; a north or east window; no direct afternoon sun
- Temperature: Minimum 60°F in winter (Missouri Botanical Garden); keep away from cold drafts
- Humidity: Missouri Botanical Garden says it likes high humidity in summer; NC State Extension says medium to low relative humidity suits it
- Soil: Peaty, well-drained potting mix in a pot with drainage holes
- Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings (Clemson Extension); water less from fall through winter (Missouri Botanical Garden)
- Fertilizer: Light feeding in spring and summer only
- Pests and problems: Mealybugs, spider mites, whiteflies, scale, fungus gnats; root rot from overwatering; leaf spot; ring spot virus (both disease reports describe it on P. obtusifolia)
- Propagation: Leaf cuttings or stem tip cuttings in spring
- Pet safety: Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA)
- Uses: Desk, tabletop and windowsill plant; ground cover in frost-free gardens
What Peperomia Caperata Looks Like
The Missouri Botanical Garden describes a dense, mound-forming tropical perennial that typically grows to 8 inches tall and as wide. It forms rosettes of long-stemmed, wrinkled, deeply corrugated, heart-shaped dark green leaves, each up to about 1½ inches long, on red-tinged stalks. NC State Extension notes the leaves are so dark they almost appear purple, and that the leaf stalks are usually pinkish to reddish.
In the wild it’s a Brazilian plant. The Missouri Botanical Garden calls it an epiphyte (a plant that grows on other plants for support), and NC State Extension says that in the tropics it grows as an evergreen ground cover and can also be epiphytic in the jungles of South America. Outdoors in the U.S., both list it for USDA zones 11 to 12 only, so for most of us it’s a houseplant.
Flowers: The Mouse Tails
Don’t be surprised when skinny spikes poke up above the leaves. The Missouri Botanical Garden says tiny whitish-green flowers bloom on 2- to 3-inch spikes in summer and early fall, atop thin reddish stalks. They’re not showy, but they come in abundance, and the stalks are said to resemble mouse tails. Clemson Extension says peperomia flower spikes are considered unattractive, and removing them lets the plant put its energy into leaves. Your call.
Ripple Peperomia Varieties
Breeders have had a lot of fun with this species. NC State Extension lists cultivars of Peperomia caperata including ‘Burgundy’ (red-green leaves), ‘Red Ripple’ (bright purplish red leaves that turn light green as they mature), ‘Rosso’ (thin, pointed dark green leaves, red underneath), ‘Frost’ (silvery green leaves), ‘Silver’, ‘Quito’, ‘Abricos’, ‘Pink Lady’, ‘Red Luna’ and ‘Variegata’. Clemson Extension adds that ripple plant cultivars come with burgundy-red foliage or green with silver variegation. One caveat on ‘Rosso’: it is sold as a caperata, but its U.S. plant patent (PP24,379) describes ‘Eden Rosso’ as a seedling from a cross of Peperomia marmorata and Peperomia metallica.
Read more about Peperomia Rosso, Peperomia caperata Frost and the crinkle peperomia, or browse more Peperomia varieties.
Emerald Ripple Peperomia Care
Light
Bright, indirect light is the sweet spot. The Missouri Botanical Garden recommends bright indirect light, says the best indoor spot is a north or east window, and says to avoid direct afternoon sun. NC State Extension calls medium light, such as sun filtered through a thin curtain, ideal. Clemson Extension suggests indirect light from an east or south window and says peperomia can even tolerate somewhat low light near a large north window.
Watch the sun, though. Clemson says that if peperomia gets direct sun, the leaves may scorch. NC State says the plant tolerates low light for several months without stress.
No good window? You’re in luck. The Missouri Botanical Garden says it thrives under fluorescent lights, and NC State says it performs well with bright fluorescent lights, which makes it a natural office plant.
Temperature
Keep it warm. The Missouri Botanical Garden gives 60°F as the minimum recommended winter temperature and says wetness and cold winter temperatures must be avoided. NC State Extension says the plant will not tolerate very drafty sites, so keep it away from cold windows, doors that open to winter air, and heating or cooling vents.
Want to give it a summer outdoors? Clemson Extension says peperomias can go outside once nighttime temperatures stay at 60°F or higher, placed in a bright but shady spot with no direct sun.
Watering
Here’s where most ripple peperomias get into trouble: too much water. Clemson Extension says peperomia prefers to dry out between waterings and that an overwatered plant will drop its leaves. Clemson also says root rot caused by overwatering is the most common disease of peperomia.
The Missouri Botanical Garden says to water moderately but consistently during the growing season (spring to fall), letting the soil almost dry on top before watering again, then to reduce watering from fall through winter. NC State Extension says the plant will not tolerate wet soil or very dry soil. Clemson says to water, let the pot drain, and only then set it back in its saucer.
Bottom watering is a good habit for this plant. Clemson says fungal leaf spots can be prevented by keeping the leaves dry when you water. A University of Illinois Extension report on peperomia diseases advises watering from below and keeping the soil on the dry side to help avoid Phytophthora rot.
Humidity
Sources don’t fully agree here, so here are both views. The Missouri Botanical Garden says Peperomia caperata likes high humidity in summer and suggests setting the pot on wet pebbles in a humidified room and misting often. NC State Extension says medium to low relative humidity suits it, and its general peperomia page says these plants can thrive in the humidity of most homes, with a humidifier if the home is very dry. Clemson Extension adds that a humidifier helps in winter.
If you mist or use a pebble tray, keep air moving. NC State says good air circulation and keeping the leaves dry help prevent leaf spots.
Soil and Repotting
Drainage comes first. The Missouri Botanical Garden recommends a peaty potting mix. Clemson Extension recommends a well-drained houseplant or cactus potting mix, and NC State Extension says to use a porous, well-draining potting soil because the plant is susceptible to root rot. Always use a pot with drainage holes.
Growers go even lighter. A UF/IFAS Extension production guide says peperomia roots are very sensitive to waterlogged soil and that peat-lite mixes with coarse particles, such as perlite, give the needed aeration.
Don’t rush to repot. Clemson says peperomia does not need repotting every year and can stay in the same pot for several years. When you do repot, Clemson suggests a pot only slightly larger than the old one.
Fertilizing
Go easy on the food. Clemson Extension says to fertilize peperomia only while it is actively growing in spring and summer, using a low-strength liquid fertilizer occasionally, or a slow-release granular fertilizer once a year. The Missouri Botanical Garden suggests fertilizer once a month during the growing season and none from fall through winter. Follow the label for the amount.
Why so light? UF/IFAS says peperomia roots are very fine and easily damaged by excess salts, and that roots often die back before you see any sign on the leaves. If salts build up, flush the pot with plenty of water.
Pruning and Grooming
Trim off old or damaged leaves whenever they show up. For a fuller plant, Clemson Extension says to prune a stem just above a leaf node so the plant branches. The Missouri Botanical Garden says to cut back foliage as needed to keep the plant’s shape.
How To Propagate Peperomia Caperata
Ripple peperomia is one of the easiest plants to share. NC State Extension says to propagate it by leaf or stem tip cuttings in spring, and UF/IFAS says commercial growers normally propagate Peperomia caperata from leaf cuttings.
Leaf cuttings. Clemson Extension says to remove a leaf with at least an inch of its leaf stalk (petiole) and insert it into a rooting medium. New plants form at the base of the stalk and can then be separated and potted.
Stem cuttings. Clemson says to cut a 3- to 5-inch piece of stem, remove the leaves on the lower third, dip the end in rooting hormone, insert it into potting soil or a rooting medium, cover it with clear plastic and keep it out of direct sun.
Take cuttings only from healthy plants. The University of Illinois says peperomia ring spot is commonly spread by taking cuttings from plants that look healthy but are infected.
Related: Learn more about Peperomia propagation.
Peperomia Caperata Pests and Diseases
The good news: the University of Illinois says peperomias are subject to only a few diseases. Two of them, Phytophthora rot and cutting rot, are soilborne rots, and its advice for both starts with avoiding overwatering.
Root and stem rot. Clemson Extension says root rot from overwatering is the most common peperomia disease. NC State Extension says root rot and yellowing or curling leaves point to overwatering. The University of Illinois describes Phytophthora rot as a black rot that starts at the soil line, causing lower leaves to droop and plants to wilt and die, and it advises destroying affected plants, avoiding overwatering and heavy, poorly drained mixes, and keeping the soil on the dry side.
Leaf spot. NC State says leaf spot occasionally occurs on this species. Keep the leaves dry and give the plant good air circulation.
Ring spot. This one is a virus. The University of Illinois says peperomia ring spot shows up as concentric brown rings that disfigure the leaves, sometimes with cupped or twisted young leaves and stunting, and that it is commonly spread by taking cuttings from infected plants. UF/IFAS says no chemical controls a virus disease, advises destroying plants with these symptoms, and says to clean cutting tools between plants. The Illinois report says diseased plants will not recover. Both reports describe ring spot on Peperomia obtusifolia; neither names Peperomia caperata.
Insects. Clemson lists mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, scale and whiteflies as the pests most often found on peperomias, and NC State lists whiteflies, mealybugs and spider mites for this species. Check under the leaves and in the leaf joints when you water.
Related: More on controlling pests and diseases on peperomia.
Is Peperomia Caperata Safe for Pets?
Yes. The ASPCA lists emerald ripple peperomia (Peperomia caperata) as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Clemson Extension says most peperomias are considered safe for pets. That still doesn’t make it a chew toy, so keep it where curious pets can’t shred it.
Ways To Use Emerald Ripple Peperomia
In most of the United States, this is an indoor plant. NC State Extension says it is commonly used as an interior specimen or desktop plant and suggests a container or hanging basket. Its small size suits a tabletop, a bookshelf or an office desk under fluorescent lights.
In frost-free gardens, the Missouri Botanical Garden and NC State both say it can be grown as a ground cover or at the front of a border.
Is your ripple peperomia a deep green, a burgundy or a silver? Tell us which one is on your windowsill!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Peperomia caperata safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists emerald ripple peperomia (Peperomia caperata) as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and Clemson Extension says most peperomias are considered safe for pets. That makes it a good choice for a home with animals, though it is still best kept where pets can’t chew it to pieces.
How often should I water a ripple peperomia?
Let it dry out between waterings. Clemson Extension says peperomia prefers to dry out between waterings and that an overwatered plant will drop its leaves. The Missouri Botanical Garden says to water moderately but consistently from spring to fall, letting the soil almost dry on top, and to water less from fall through winter. Clemson also says overwatering causes root rot, the most common peperomia disease, so let the pot drain before it goes back in its saucer.
How much light does Peperomia caperata need?
Bright, indirect light is best. The Missouri Botanical Garden recommends a north or east window and says to avoid direct afternoon sun, while Clemson Extension says direct sun may scorch the leaves. NC State Extension says it tolerates low light for several months and performs well under bright fluorescent lights, which makes it a good office plant.
What is the lowest temperature Peperomia caperata can handle?
Keep it at 60°F or warmer. The Missouri Botanical Garden gives 60°F as the minimum recommended winter temperature and says wetness and cold winter temperatures must be avoided. NC State Extension says the plant will not tolerate very drafty sites, so keep it away from cold windows, outside doors and vents in winter.
What causes ring spots on peperomia leaves?
A virus. The University of Illinois Extension says peperomia ring spot causes concentric brown rings on the leaves and is commonly spread by taking cuttings from plants that look healthy but are infected. UF/IFAS Extension says no chemical controls it, advises destroying plants with symptoms, and says to clean cutting tools between plants. Both reports describe it on Peperomia obtusifolia rather than caperata. Take cuttings only from healthy plants.