Run a finger over a Peperomia incana leaf and you’ll see where its common name comes from. The thick, rounded leaves are covered in fine white hairs that feel like felt, which is why the plant is sold as felted pepperface or felted peperomia.
Peperomia incana is a semi-upright to spreading, fleshy evergreen perennial succulent with thick, heart-shaped, felted green leaves and red stems, native to Brazil. Its leaves are also described as oval and grayish-green, covered with white hairs, on thick stems with a rambling habit.
It belongs to Peperomia, a genus with over 1,000 species in the black pepper family (Piperaceae). The name comes from the Greek peperi, pepper, and homoios, resembling: a nod to its relative, the black pepper plant, Piper nigrum.
Is it hard to grow? Not if you go easy on the water. Peperomias are low-maintenance, easy-to-grow houseplants, and root rot from overwatering is the most common disease of the genus.
Peperomia Incana Quick Care Tips
- Botanical Name: Peperomia incana
- Common Names: felted pepperface, felted peperomia
- Family and Origin: Piperaceae; native to Brazil
- Size: 0.1 to 0.5 meters (about 4 to 20 inches) tall and wide
- Light: bright, indirect light; direct sun can scorch peperomia leaves
- Water: let it dry out between waterings; water sparingly in autumn and winter
- Temperature: always above 10°C (50°F) for peperomias; this species is rated H1A (a species-specific UK rating: under glass all year, above 15°C / 59°F)
- Soil: well-drained houseplant or cactus potting mix
- Fertilizer: only in spring and summer
- Pests: may be susceptible to mealybugs
- Propagation: stem (softwood) or leaf cuttings, or seed
- Pets: most peperomia are considered safe for pets; this species isn’t listed by name
Peperomia Incana Care
Size and Growth
Felted pepperface has a semi-upright to spreading habit, with a maximum height and spread of 0.1 to 0.5 meters (about 4 to 20 inches), reached in 2 to 5 years.
Don’t expect fast growth. Estimates vary: peperomias are typically called slow-growing, though most species are also said to grow at a moderate rate.
Flowering
The leaves are the show here. Green flowers with purple anthers may appear in spring. Across the genus, the blooms are small, greenish-white to brown spikes that appear in summer in the wild, and as houseplants peperomias typically will not flower. The spikes are considered unattractive (they are said to resemble a rat’s tail), and removing them lets the plant put its energy into leaves.
Light
Bright, indirect light is the safe bet. NC State Extension says peperomias prefer bright indirect light yet will tolerate low light, and warns that direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. Indirect light from an east- or south-facing window works well. Peperomias should not be exposed to full sun, though species with thick, fleshy leaves need more light than those with thinner, less succulent leaves.
Here’s the wrinkle: the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) profile for P. incana lists a full-sun, south- or west-facing position under glass, although the same profile’s growing notes say to grow it in bright indirect light. Its general peperomia guide adds that direct sun in summer can scorch the foliage, although weaker winter sun is usually welcome, and too much shade leads to poor, straggly growth. If you try a sunnier window, watch the leaves and pull the pot back at the first sign of scorching.
Temperature and Hardiness
Keep it warm. For peperomias in general, aim for a warm room of about 65 to 86°F (18 to 30°C), out of cold draughts and always above 10°C (50°F). The University of Missouri also advises keeping peperomias above 50°F.
This species may want it a little warmer. P. incana is rated H1A, the category for plants grown under glass all year, above 15°C (59°F), in UK conditions.
Outdoors, the genus is listed for USDA hardiness zones 10a to 12b. Elsewhere, peperomias can go outdoors for the summer once nights are consistently 60°F or higher, starting in deep shade to acclimate and then staying in a bright but shady spot with no direct sunlight. Growing this species in containers that can be moved indoors over winter makes that easy.
Watering
This is where felted peperomias get into trouble. Clemson Extension says peperomia prefers to dry out between waterings and that an overwatered plant will drop its leaves. Water, let the pot drain, and only then set it back in its saucer.
Water felted pepperface moderately when it’s growing and sparingly in autumn and winter. How dry is dry? Truly succulent peperomias should be left until the potting mix is almost completely dry, while less succulent types get water when the mix is dry a couple of inches down. Check with your finger rather than watering on a schedule.
Watch the leaves. Root rot and yellowing or curling of the leaves indicate overwatering. A plant with yellow leaves can be saved by letting it dry out, if you catch it soon enough.
Humidity
The sources don’t agree on this one. Peperomias can thrive in the humidity levels of most homes, with a humidifier only if the home is very dry, or they benefit from a humidifier in winter, depending on whose advice you follow. Advice for P. incana specifically is to mist regularly to maintain high humidity.
Keep water off the leaves to prevent leaf spots, too. A humidifier or a tray of damp gravel under the pot raises humidity without wetting the felt.
Feeding
Go light. Fertilize peperomia only when it is actively growing in spring and summer: a low-strength liquid fertilizer occasionally, or a slow-release granular fertilizer once a year. Feeding schedules vary, and a more frequent one is every two weeks from April to October with a half-strength liquid fertilizer. Either way, follow the label and skip feeding in winter.
Shop: Jack’s Classic 20-20-20 All Purpose Fertilizer
Soil and Repotting
Drainage comes first. Use a well-drained houseplant or cactus potting mix. Loam suits this species, peat-free compost is recommended, and succulent peperomias from dry habitats need a sharply draining compost suitable for cacti. Adding perlite and/or orchid bark to a commercial mix helps, and clay pots work better than plastic for peperomias.
Don’t rush to repot. Peperomias will not need repotting often, and one can stay in the same pot for several years. When it’s time, choose a pot only slightly larger than the old one. A pot that’s too big stays wet longer, which can rot the roots.
Grooming and Maintenance
There isn’t much to do. This species needs no pruning. If you want a fuller plant, prune a stem above a leaf node so the plant will branch, and trim off old leaves when needed. Use the healthy pieces you cut as cuttings.
Related: How To Care For The Teardrop Peperomia Pixie
How To Propagate Felted Pepperface
P. incana can be propagated by seed, softwood cuttings or leaf cuttings. Stem cuttings are the usual route. Here are the steps for peperomia stem cuttings:
- Cut a three-to-five-inch piece of stem from the parent plant.
- Remove the leaves on the lower third of the cutting.
- Dip the stem in rooting hormone, then insert it into potting soil or a rooting medium.
- Cover with clear plastic and keep it out of direct sunlight.
For a leaf cutting, remove a leaf with at least an inch of its petiole (leaf stem), insert it into a rooting medium, and pot up the new plants that form at the base of the petiole. Softwood cuttings are easiest in spring and summer. Keep the rooting mix lightly moist, not wet, and move each rooted plant into its own small pot.
Felted Pepperface Pests and Diseases
P. incana may be susceptible to mealybugs and is generally disease-free. For the genus, mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, scale and whiteflies are the most frequent pests, along with aphids.
Mealybugs. Look for white, cottony bits where the leaves join the stems. For small infestations on houseplants, UC IPM says a solution of 70% (or less) isopropyl alcohol and water can be dabbed on them with a cotton swab, testing on a small part of the plant first and watching for leaf burn. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions is more cautious: it calls alcohol phytotoxic and says it should not be applied to plant tissues. Insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils and neem oil applied directly to young mealybugs can also reduce their numbers.
Spider mites. Check the undersides of leaves for stippling or webbing; sprays of water, insecticidal oils or insecticidal soaps can be used to manage them. Be sure mites are present before treating, and don’t spray when plants are water-stressed or when it is very hot.
Root rot. Root rot is caused by overwatering and is the most common disease of peperomia. Let the plant dry out between waterings and empty the saucer.
Is Peperomia Incana Safe for Pets?
Peperomias have a good record here: most peperomia are considered safe for pets. The ASPCA plant list has no entry for Peperomia incana, but it lists the baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) as non-toxic to dogs and cats. If your pet chews on felted pepperface and seems unwell, call your veterinarian.
Suggested Uses For Felted Pepperface
Those soft, silvery leaves earn a spot where people can see and touch them. Peperomias are perfect plants for a desk or tabletop, and some suit hanging baskets. Felted pepperface works as a houseplant, in patio containers, and in a conservatory or greenhouse.
The genus is listed for USDA zones 10a to 12b, and this species likes a sheltered position. Elsewhere, use a container you can move indoors over winter; peperomias can spend the summer outdoors in shade once nights stay at 60°F or higher.
Do you have a felted pepperface on your desk? Tell us where yours lives!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a felted pepperface?
Felted pepperface is the common name for Peperomia incana, a peperomia native to Brazil. It is a semi-upright to spreading, fleshy evergreen perennial succulent with thick, heart-shaped, felted green leaves and red stems; its leaves are also described as oval and grayish-green, covered with white hairs. It grows to about 4 to 20 inches tall and wide.
How often should I water Peperomia incana?
Water when the potting mix has dried out, not on a schedule. Peperomia prefers to dry out between waterings and drops its leaves when overwatered. Water felted pepperface moderately while it is growing and sparingly in autumn and winter. Let the pot drain before it goes back in its saucer, and check the mix with your finger first.
Does Peperomia incana need direct sun?
Bright, indirect light is the safer choice. Peperomias prefer bright indirect light, and direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. Full sun is sometimes listed for this species, but its growing notes say bright indirect light, and direct summer sun can scorch the foliage while weaker winter sun is usually welcome. If you try a sunnier spot, watch for scorching.
How cold can a felted pepperface get?
Keep it above 50°F. Keep peperomias out of cold draughts and always above 10°C (50°F); Peperomia incana is rated H1A, the UK category for plants grown under glass all year above 15°C (59°F). Peperomias can go outdoors for summer once nights are consistently 60°F or higher. The genus is listed for USDA zones 10a to 12b.
Is Peperomia incana safe for cats and dogs?
Peperomias are generally considered pet-safe, but this species isn’t listed by name. Most peperomia are considered safe for pets, and the baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) is listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats, but Peperomia incana has no entry of its own. If a pet chews on your felted pepperface and seems unwell, call your veterinarian.