Peperomia incana (pep-er-OH-mee-uh in-KAY-nuh) is an evergreen perennial plant belonging to the family Piperaceae. It is native to Brazil and named after the appearance of its leaves.
The heart-shaped leaves are covered in small white hairs meant to protect this peperomia plant member from the burning sun during a drought.
It’s these white hairs that give the appearance of felt hence the common name Felted Pepperface.
Other common names include:
- Felted Peperomia
- Fuzzy Pigface
- Amazon Fuzz
The incana plant is easy to care for and has a striking, evergreen foliage making it an ideal choice to keep all year around in your garden.
Peperomia Incana Care
Size and Growth
Pepperface peperomia plant has a stiff, almost upright growth that spreads as it gets older.
Peperomia Incana can grow between 6” to 12” inches tall with a width of 12” to 15” inches. Felted Peperomia has a slow growth rate and hardy in USDA hardiness zones 10a to 12.
Flowering and Fragrance
This plant has a unique felt-like appearance thanks to the tiny white hairs on the leaves.
If grown in lots of light, older plants will produce stems completely covered in tiny white flowers during bloom season in summer.
These flowers generally have no scent.
Light and Temperature
Pepperface incana is a light loving plant, but can also bode well in shady spots. Ideally, it should be kept in a spot receiving very high light like sunny south or east facing window. However, a brightly shaded spot also works.
This plant is resistant to heat and can withstand temperatures from 45 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it is not frost hardy and should be brought indoors if possible during colder seasons.
Water and Feeding
Pepperface peperomia requires a regular watering schedule and protected from overwatering.
The best way to do this is to water thoroughly until the soil is completely saturated and spills out of the pot.
Wait until the top two inches of soil have almost dried out before watering again.
Fed the plant with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer every two months. If growing in a terrarium, apply fertilizer every four months.
Soil and Transplanting
Peperomia Incana requires a well-drained soil with a pH of 5 to 7.5. Soils such as sandy loam or loam are good options.
Avoid frequent transplanting. At the most, repot after several years to a larger pot once they outgrow their current one.
Grooming and Maintenance
Peperomia Incana is not a high maintenance plant and does not require too much effort.
You can pinch back the tips of new growth to stimulate branching and bushiness of the plant.
To keep the leaves fresh between watering, gently mist it from time to time, but, this is not strictly necessary.
Related: How To Care For The Teardrop Peperomia Pixie
How to Propagate Incana Felted Pepperface
Propagate the felted incana peperomia during the spring or summer time using 2”-3” leaf or stem cuttings.
- Cut off a stem and remove the lower leaves
- Allow the cuts to dry out and callus.
- Once the cutting dries out, plunge the cutting into the soil
- Maintain a temperature of 70°-75° degrees Fahrenheit until roots develop.
- Once the plant takes root, transplant into individual pots.
- Once established in the new pot, move the plant outdoors, or replant into a hanging basket.
Felted Pepperface Pest or Disease Problems
Peperomia Incana is susceptible to mealybugs collecting at leaf nodes and axils. They are relatively easy to get rid off.
Pick the bugs off and wipe down the leaves. Follow up with an appropriate pesticide such as Neem oil to prevent further infestation.
Suggested Uses For Pepperface
Grow the Peperomia Incana as a groundcover outdoors or keep as a house plant indoors. It is also beautiful when used as a hanging plant.
Due to the slow-growing nature of this house plant, when planted outdoors, place it with other slow growing plants.
Faster-growing plants, it may end up getting smothered before it has had a chance to grow.