Want a small plant with leaves that look like they’ve been dusted with frost? Meet Peperomia Frost, a silvery little houseplant that fits on a desk, a shelf or a bright windowsill without fuss.
Peperomia Frost is a cultivar of Peperomia caperata, the emerald ripple peperomia. ‘Frost’ is one of the listed cultivars of Peperomia caperata, with silvery green leaves, small and pointed. You’ll also see it sold as Silver Frost peperomia or Frost peperomia.
Peperomia (pep-er-ROH-mee-uh) belongs to the pepper family, Piperaceae. The genus name comes from the Greek peperi (pepper) and homoios (resembling), a nod to its relative, the true black pepper plant, Piper nigrum. The species name caperata is Latin for wrinkled, which describes those deeply furrowed leaves. There are over 1,000 species of peperomia, so if you like this one, there are plenty of peperomia types to explore.
Silver Frost Peperomia Plants Quick Care Tips
- Botanical name: Peperomia caperata ‘Frost’
- Common names: Peperomia Frost, Silver Frost peperomia, Frost peperomia
- Family and origin: Piperaceae; the species is native to Brazil
- Growability: Easy, low maintenance
- Hardiness zones: USDA 11 to 12 for the species (11a to 12b in some listings)
- Size: About 8 inches tall and wide
- Flowering: Thin, cream to whitish-green flower spikes in summer and early fall
- Light: Bright, indirect or filtered light; no direct afternoon sun
- Temperature: Minimum 60°F in winter for the species; 65 to 86°F for peperomias generally, always above 50°F; keep away from cold drafts
- Humidity: Sources differ (see Humidity below); most homes are fine, and a humidifier helps in winter
- Soil: Porous, well-draining, peat-based potting mix
- Water: Let it dry out between waterings; for this species, let the top almost dry and water less from fall through winter
- Fertilizer: Light feeding in spring and summer only; none from fall through winter
- Pests and problems: Mealybugs, spider mites and whiteflies; root rot from overwatering; leaf spot (keep the leaves dry)
- Propagation: Leaf or stem tip cuttings in spring
- Pet safety: Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (Peperomia caperata)
Peperomia Frost Plant Care
Size and Growth
Frost is a Peperomia caperata ripple type, so it shares the species’ compact, mounding habit. Peperomia caperata is a dense, mound-forming tropical perennial that typically grows to 8 inches tall and as wide, with leaves to about 1 1/2 inches long on long, red-tinged stalks. Some guides say ripple plants grow to 10 inches tall and wide, and cultivars come with burgundy-red foliage or green with silver variegation. Frost is one of the silvery ones. Foliage, like that of Peperomia Rosso, is the main calling card.
In the wild, this is a forest plant. Peperomia caperata can be epiphytic (growing on other plants) in the jungles of South America, and the species is native to Brazil.
Its small size makes Silver Frost a good stand-alone tabletop plant. The species is commonly used as an interior specimen or desktop plant, and it can go in a container or a hanging basket.
Flowering
Don’t expect a big show. Cream-colored flower spikes 2 to 3 inches long appear in summer and early fall, with tiny, whitish-green flowers on thin reddish stalks. The spikes are said to resemble mouse tails. They’re not showy, but they add interest. If you’d rather the plant put its energy into leaves, removing the spikes lets it focus on leaf production.
Peperomia Frost Light Requirements
Bright, indirect light suits Peperomia Frost best. Medium light, such as sun filtered through a thin curtain, is ideal. Bright indirect light from a north or east window is the best indoor location; avoid direct afternoon sun. An east or south window with indirect light works too, but leaves may scorch in direct sun.
Office plant owners, good news: the species thrives under fluorescent lights, performs well with bright fluorescent lights and tolerates low light for several months without stress.
Temperature
Keep it warm. The minimum recommended winter temperature is 60°F for Peperomia caperata, and wetness and cold winter temperatures must be avoided. The species will not tolerate very drafty sites, so keep it away from cold windows, doors and air-conditioning vents. For the genus as a whole, the RHS peperomia page gives 18 to 30°C (65 to 86°F) and says to keep peperomias out of cold draughts and always above 10°C (50°F); 60°F is the figure for this species.
Outdoors, it’s a frost-free plant only. It’s hardy in USDA zones 11 to 12 (11a to 12b in some listings). In frost-free areas, it can be grown as a groundcover or at the front of a border, and peperomia is used as a groundcover in South Florida. Everywhere else, you can move peperomias outdoors for the summer once night temperatures are consistently 60°F or higher, starting them in deep shade and keeping them in a bright but shady spot out of direct sun.
Watering
Overwatering is the big risk with this plant. Clemson Extension says peperomia prefers to dry out between waterings, that an overwatered plant will drop its leaves, and that root rot from overwatering is the most common peperomia disease. Let the water drain from the pot before you set it back in its saucer, and keep the leaves dry when you water, which helps prevent fungal leaf spots.
For this species, water moderately but consistently during the growing season (spring to fall), allowing the soil to almost dry on top before adding more water, and reduce watering from fall through winter. The species likes soil that dries between waterings and will not tolerate wet soil or very dry soil.
Humidity
Here the sources don’t agree, so here’s both sides. The Missouri Botanical Garden says Peperomia caperata likes high humidity in summer, suggests setting the plant on wet pebbles in a humidified room, and says to mist frequently. NC State Extension says medium to low relative humidity is ideal for the species, and its genus page says peperomias can thrive in the humidity of most homes, with a humidifier for a very dry home. Peperomia also benefits from a humidifier in winter.
A pebble tray or a humidifier raises humidity without wetting the leaves. That matters, because you should avoid wetting the leaves and provide good air circulation to prevent leaf spots.
Fertilizing
Go light on food. Apply fertilizer once a month during the growing season and stop fertilizing from fall through winter. Another approach is to fertilize peperomia only when it is actively growing in spring and summer, using a low-strength liquid fertilizer occasionally, or a slow-release granular fertilizer once a year. Follow the label for the amount.
Soil and Repotting
Drainage comes first. Peperomia caperata is susceptible to root rot, so use a porous, well-draining potting soil. A peaty potting mix or a well-drained houseplant or cactus potting mix both work. Mixing perlite or orchid bark into a peat-based mix is an easy way to open it up.
Don’t rush to repot. Peperomia does not need repotting every year and can stay in the same pot for several years, and when you do move it, use a pot only slightly larger than the grower’s pot. Peperomias are typically slow-growing and will not need repotting often. Always use a pot with drainage holes.
Grooming and Maintenance
Peperomia Frost needs very little pruning. Cut back foliage as needed to keep the plant’s shape, trim off old leaves when needed, and prune a stem above a leaf node to make the plant branch and look fuller. Pinch back any spindly stems and remove damaged or dead leaves to keep it tidy.
How to Propagate Peperomia Frost
Want more plants? Propagate Peperomia caperata by leaf or stem cuttings in spring. Here are the steps:
- Stem cuttings: 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, and cover it with clear plastic in a spot out of direct sun.
- Leaf cuttings: Remove a leaf with at least an inch of its petiole (leaf stem) and insert it into a rooting medium. New plants form at the base of the petiole and can then be potted.
Use clean, sharp scissors, and keep the rooting mix lightly moist but never soggy, since too much water leads to rot. Once the cutting shows new growth, move it into a slightly larger pot.
Frosted Peperomia Pest or Disease Problems
A well-grown Peperomia Frost has few problems. Whiteflies, mealybugs and spider mites are its insect pests, and fungus gnats and scale also show up on peperomias in general.
Learn more about controlling peperomia pests.
For mealybugs, the University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM) says that for serious problems on houseplants you can dab them with a solution of 70% (or less) isopropyl alcohol and water, testing a small part of the plant first and watching for leaf burn. It says insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils and neem oil applied directly to young mealybugs can reduce their numbers. Not every source agrees on alcohol: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says alcohol is phytotoxic (it causes leaf burn) and should not be applied to plant tissues, and it warns that dish detergents are not true soaps and can damage leaves. If you treat, use a registered insecticidal soap and follow the label rather than a kitchen recipe.
Water causes more trouble than bugs. Root rot from overwatering is the most common peperomia disease, and fungal leaf spots can be prevented by keeping the leaves dry when you water. The plant is susceptible to rot if the soil is kept too moist, and leaf spots may occur.
Is Frost Peperomia Toxic to Pets?
No. The ASPCA lists Peperomia caperata (emerald ripple peperomia), the species Frost belongs to, as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Most peperomias are considered safe for pets. Non-toxic doesn’t mean edible, so keep the plant where pets and small children won’t chew on it.
Related: Is Peperomia Safe for Cats?
Suggested Uses For Peperomia Frost
Peperomia Frost is a natural for a desk, a tabletop or a bright office. The species works as an interior specimen or desktop plant and in a container or hanging basket, and some peperomias suit terrariums. Its small size and silvery leaves also make it a good contrast plant in a group of darker greens.
In frost-free gardens, it can grow outdoors as a groundcover or edging plant. Elsewhere, it can spend the summer outdoors in a bright, shady spot once nights are consistently 60°F or higher.
Want more peperomias? Read tips on growing San Marino peperomias and growing Peperomia Napoli Nights.
Is your Silver Frost on a desk, a shelf or a windowsill? Tell us where yours grows best!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Peperomia Frost safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. Peperomia caperata, the species Peperomia Frost belongs to, is non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and most peperomias are considered safe for pets. Non-toxic doesn’t mean edible, though, so it is still wise to keep the plant where pets and small children won’t chew on the leaves.
How often should I water Peperomia Frost?
Let it dry out between waterings. Peperomia prefers to dry out between waterings, an overwatered plant drops its leaves, and root rot from overwatering is the most common peperomia disease, so let the water drain before the pot goes back in its saucer. For this species, let the top of the soil almost dry in spring through fall and water less from fall through winter.
What temperature does Peperomia Frost need?
Keep it at 60°F or warmer. That’s the minimum recommended winter temperature for Peperomia caperata, and it’s winter hardy outdoors in USDA zones 11 to 12. Peperomias can move outdoors for summer once nights stay at 60°F or higher. The species will not tolerate very drafty sites.
Does Peperomia Frost need high humidity?
Sources differ. Some say Peperomia caperata likes high humidity in summer and suggest wet pebbles and frequent misting; others say medium to low relative humidity is ideal for the species, with a humidifier helping in winter. Keeping the leaves dry when you water helps prevent fungal leaf spots.
How do you propagate Peperomia Frost?
Take leaf or stem cuttings in spring. Root a 3- to 5-inch stem piece with the lower leaves removed, or a single leaf with at least an inch of its leaf stem, in a rooting medium. Cover stem cuttings with clear plastic and keep them out of direct sunlight.