Peperomia Moonlight is a succulent with metallic green, heart-shaped leaves. Peperomias are native to South America and easy to care for. It thrives in warm, indirect light and requires minimal watering, making it an ideal houseplant. Remember, overwatering is a common mistake, so let the soil dry completely before rewatering.
Peperomias are related to black pepper that graces our kitchen tables. Peperomia’s Greek name literally means “pepper resembling.”
Patented Peperomia Moonlight (USPP31418P2) belongs to a big family of perennial plants, Peperomia, with over 1000 species, but only about 100 varieties of Peperomia are grown and cultivated in the United States.
Peperomia is one of the easiest and most beautiful indoor plants to grow.
The Peperomia is widely bought and sold, and the wide variety of Peperomia plants is greater than taxonomic research suggests; many varieties have gone as yet unclassified. The Peperomia Moonlight plant is likely a sport of Peperomia caperata.
Sometimes called the “radiator plant” because of its appreciation for warm air, other common Peperomia species include the Watermelon Peperomia, the Emerald Ripple Peperomia, and the Red-Edge Peperomia.
Peperomia Moonlight Care
Peperomia Caperata ‘Moonlight’ is relatively easy to care for. These tips will keep your Peperomia looking great.
Size and Growth
Peperomia Moonlight plant grows slowly and will only ever achieve a maximum height of 10″-12″ inches. This is something it has in common with the rest of its family.
It has sparkling silvery-green foliage with dark green ruffled leaves, hence the name.
Flowering and Fragrance
Does peperomia flower? Peperomia Moonlight is a cultivar or variety known for its attractive foliage.
Although these plants are not primarily grown for their flowers, moonlight does produce small, insignificant flowers.
The flowers of Moonlight shoot up from long, thin peperomia flower spikes.
These very tiny flowers that run all along the flower spike have no scent.
Light and Temperature
One of the reasons Peperomia is such a common indoor plant is that it is highly tolerant of indoor environments.
- Peperomia caperata Moonlight requires relatively low levels of light. The plant doesn’t like full direct sunlight.
- Moonlight thrives in warm, indirect light in temperatures common in our homes.
- In the summer, the Peperomia Moonlight wants to grow and stretch its flower spikes; maximum growth will occur at 68° – 78° degrees Fahrenheit.
- In Winter, keep Peperomia’s environment above 50° degrees Fahrenheit.
Watering Peperomia Plants and Feeding
Succulent peperomia can’t take overwatering. Overwatering leads to root rot, and the plant often dies.
Peperomia moonlight requires minimal watering. Peperomias store water in their leaves, making these plants drought-resistant.
When watering, I always say, “Better safe than sorry.” Make sure you’re not giving your Peperomia too much water.
How can you be sure you’re not overwatering?
- Once a week or even once every 10 days should do it!
- These plants can tolerate a little drought but have real difficulty with too much water.
- Some suggest letting the soil completely dry before rewatering. This isn’t a bad idea.
- Feed your Peperomia with plant food during the summer months every second or third of watering.
- You can use a balanced liquid fertilizer for this.
Soil and Transplanting
Because overwatering can be a danger, potting soil choice becomes very important in rearing the moonlight Peperomia. Use well-drained soil for this.
- Use a half-and-half mixture of perlite and peat moss. Sometimes, I’ll use bark chips and peat moss when planting new Peperomia.
- Peperomia is best left in its original pot. It transplants easily enough, but the plant prefers a stable home.
- Keeping the pot small for your Peperomia will ensure the best growth.
Grooming and Maintenance
Peperomia moonlight succulent is a small, compact, easy-care indoor houseplant that requires pruning.
You don’t want your Peperomia to get long and leggy.
Pruning throughout the year will help keep the grey-green leaves bunched together and maintain the nice bush shape of the Peperomia. Old and discolored leaves should be removed.
How To Propagate Peperomias
Moonlight Peperomias are easily propagated from leaf or stem cuttings and dipped in rooting powder.
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Using a light rooting medium (like the moss-perlite mixture mentioned above) will be helpful in propagating Peperomia.
NOTE: Peperomia Moonlight is a patented plant, and propagation is prohibited. [source]
Peperomia moonlight propagation is the same whether using a stem or leaf cuttings.
- Make sure you have a little bit of stem at the bottom, even when taking a leaf cutting.
- Dip the cut stem into root hormone powder and stick it in the soil.
- Pack the soil down around the stem.
- Leave at room temperature – your cutting should start to grow.
TIP: Use a plastic bag or a soda bottle to cover your cutting. This creates a nice greenhouse effect. Be sure to remove and replace your plastic bag occasionally to give the cutting air a chance to breathe.
Learn more about Propagating Peperomia
Peperomia Moonlight Pests or Diseases
One of the greatest things about the Peperomia Moonlight plant is that it has almost no diseases or pests that target it. Mealybugs can be a problem, but Neem Oil Insecticide will do the control trick nicely. Learn more about radiator plant pests and diseases.
Neem Oil is our FAVORITE natural organic insecticide. Control aphids, mealybugs, plant scale, Japanese Beetles and more. It can also be used as a soil drench.
What is the greatest threat to the life of a Peperomia Moonlight? It’s the owner.
Over-watering can be a problem, as can too much sunlight.
- Overwatering: If your leaves begin to be discolored, you may be overwatering. Reduce watering immediately. Overwatering is a massive threat to the Peperomia.
- Too Much Sunlight: If the leaves begin to dull in color, see if you can find a less sunny environment for your Peperomia.
