Peperomia Rotundifolia Care: Learn Tips On Growing Trailing Jade

Want a little plant that spills over the edge of a shelf or hanging basket like a string of green buttons? Meet Peperomia rotundifolia [pep-er-ROH-mee-uh, ro-tun-dih-FOH-lee-uh], better known as creeping buttons or trailing jade.

It is a creeping, semi-succulent, herbaceous perennial and an epiphyte (a plant that grows on other plants for support) with small, round, plump, bright green leaves. Its trailing habit makes it a natural for hanging baskets, and its easy care and compact size make it a good houseplant or office plant.

It belongs to the pepper family, Piperaceae, the same family as the black pepper plant. The Peperomia genus has over 1,000 species.

Peperomia Rotundifolia Quick Care Tips

• Botanical name: Peperomia rotundifolia
• Older names: Piper rotundifolium, Peperomia lanjouwii
• Common names: Creeping buttons, trailing jade, jade necklace, round leaf peperomia, Yorba Linda
• Family and origin: Piperaceae; native from Mexico through tropical America
• Growability: Easy, low maintenance
• Hardiness zones: USDA 10a to 12b
• Size: Trailing stems up to about 12 inches long; leaves under half an inch across
• Flowering: Short, yellowish flower spikes; indoor plants rarely flower
• Light: Bright, indirect light; no direct sun
• Humidity: Likes high humidity but tolerates normal household conditions
• Temperature: Keep it warm, above 50°F; avoid cold drafts; 65 to 86°F is ideal, always above 50°F
• Soil: Well-drained houseplant or cactus potting mix
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings; drain the pot before returning it to its saucer
• Fertilizer: Low-strength liquid fertilizer, occasionally, in spring and summer only
• Pests and problems: Mealybugs; root rot from overwatering; yellow leaves from overwatering
• Propagation: Stem cuttings
• Pets: Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses
• Uses: Hanging baskets, shelves, desks, terrariums and dish gardens

Peperomia Rotundifolia Care

What’s in a Name?

This little plant collects nicknames, including creeping buttons, jade necklace, round leaf peperomia, trailing jade and Yorba Linda, and Clemson Extension calls it creeping buttons or Yorba Linda. The whole genus also goes by radiator plant, a name that refers to peperomias’ preference for warm conditions.

One name that does not belong here is string of turtles. That is Peperomia prostrata, a different trailing peperomia. Creeping buttons is similar to string of turtles, but its leaves are larger, less marbled and closely spaced on the stem.

The scientific name goes back to Carl Linnaeus, who first described the plant as Piper rotundifolium. The International Plant Names Index records that Carl Sigismund Kunth moved it into Peperomia in 1815, which is why the full name is written Peperomia rotundifolia (L.) Kunth. The species name rotundifolia points to its round leaves.

Size and Growth

Creeping buttons grows slowly, on slender, fleshy, brownish stems covered in fine hairs. The stems trail up to about 12 inches long. The leaves are thick, round and bright green, with light green veins, and less than half an inch in diameter. You can find it in solid green or variegated forms.

In the wild it grows as an epiphyte. Its origin is listed as Mexico to tropical America, with a range running from Mexico and the Caribbean down to Argentina and Brazil, while the University of Missouri describes it as native to the tropical rainforests of South America. Peperomias live in the forest understory, and the epiphytes among them do not harm the plants they grow on.

Here’s a nice detail: the leaves and stems may entwine and weave in and out of each other, which is what gives a full pot its soft, braided look.

Flowers

Do not grow creeping buttons for its flowers. They are short, yellowish spikes, and indoor plants rarely flower. Peperomia flower spikes are considered unattractive and are said to resemble a rat’s tail; removing them lets the plant put its energy into leaves.

Light

Bright, indirect light is the goal, so avoid direct sun. Indirect light from an east- or south-facing window works well, peperomia can tolerate somewhat low light near a large north-facing window, and if it gets direct sun, the leaves may scorch.

If your window gets strong afternoon sun, set the plant back from the glass or behind a sheer curtain.

Temperature and Humidity

Think warm. The advice for peperomias is to keep them warm (above 50°F) and avoid cold drafts. For peperomias in general, the RHS gives a warm room of about 65 to 86°F (18 to 30°C) and says to keep them always above 50°F (10°C). If you summer your plant outdoors, wait until nights are consistently 60°F or higher and to keep it in a bright but shady spot with no direct sun.

Creeping buttons thrives in high humidity but tolerates normal household conditions. To raise the humidity, use a humidifier or set the pot on a tray of wet pebbles. Peperomia benefits from a humidifier in winter.

Outdoors, this is a plant for frost-free gardens only: USDA zones 10a to 12b.

Watering

Here is where most peperomias get into trouble. Peperomia prefers to dry out between waterings, and creeping buttons is sensitive to overwatering.

So how do you know when to water? Check often with your finger; the timing depends on how succulent the peperomia is: wait until the mix is almost completely dry for truly succulent types such as P. obtusifolia, and water less succulent types such as P. argyreia and P. caperata when the mix is dry a couple of inches down. When you do water, let the pot drain and empty the saucer. It is best to water and let it drain before placing it back in the saucer.

Watch the leaves too. Yellow leaves result from overwatering, and an overwatered peperomia will drop its leaves. Curling leaves may come from low humidity or dry soil.

Soil and Repotting

Use a well-drained houseplant or cactus potting mix; the goal is moist, well-drained soil. Adding perlite or orchid bark to a commercial potting mix helps water drain quickly, and clay pots work better than plastic for peperomias because water escapes through the porous sides.

There is no rush to repot. Peperomia does not need to be repotted every year and can stay in the same pot for several years, and creeping buttons prefers to be somewhat pot-bound. When you pot it up, choose a pot only slightly larger than the grower’s pot it came in.

Fertilizer

Go light. Fertilize peperomia only when it is actively growing in spring and summer. A low-strength liquid fertilizer can be used occasionally during the growing season, or you can use a slow-release granular fertilizer once a year. Follow the label for the amount, and skip feeding in fall and winter.

Pruning and Grooming

Creeping buttons needs very little grooming. Trim off old leaves when needed, and to make plants look fuller, prune a stem above a leaf node so the plant will branch. Pinching back long, bare stems keeps a hanging basket full instead of stringy, and the pieces you remove can become new plants.

How to Propagate Trailing Jade Peperomia

Stem cuttings are the way to go. NC State Extension lists stem cuttings as the recommended propagation method for Peperomia rotundifolia, and its genus page says peperomias can be propagated by leaf cuttings, stem cuttings or division, depending on the species.

The steps for a stem cutting:

• Cut a 3 to 5 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 place it out of direct sunlight.

Keep the mix lightly moist, not wet, while the cutting roots, for the same reason the parent plant hates soggy soil.

Creeping Buttons Peperomia Pests and Problems

Treat creeping buttons well, and it rarely gives trouble. Most problems trace back to the watering can.

Root rot. Root rot is caused by overwatering and is the most common disease of peperomia. After watering, drain the pot before putting it back in its saucer, and let the plant dry out between waterings. Creeping buttons may also be susceptible to cutting rot and ring spots.

Corky bumps on the leaves. Raised, scab-like swellings are usually oedema, not a disease or a pest. A houseplant disorders guide describes oedema as rough, corky swellings on the leaf stalks and lower leaf surfaces. It says excess soil moisture and poor light with low temperatures set plants up for it, and that it occurs most often on succulent plants and in winter. Damaged leaves will not recover, but improving light and watering less often can halt the decline.

Mealybugs. Monitor creeping buttons for mealybugs. Look on the stems and both sides of the leaves for white, cottony clusters; our guide to small white bugs on plants helps you tell them apart from other white pests. For a small infestation on a houseplant, UC IPM says a solution of 70% (or less) isopropyl alcohol and water can be dabbed on with a cotton swab; test it on a small part of the plant first and watch for leaf burn. Not every extension service is comfortable with that: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions lists alcohol as phytotoxic, meaning it can cause leaf burn, and says it should not be applied to plant tissues. On leaves this small, test first and stop at the first sign of damage. Insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils and neem oil applied directly to young mealybugs can reduce their numbers.

Mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, scale and whiteflies are the pests most often found on peperomias.

Is Peperomia Rotundifolia Safe for Pets?

Yes. The ASPCA lists Peperomia rotundifolia as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and most peperomia are considered safe for pets.

Peperomia Rotundifolia Uses

Hanging baskets are where creeping buttons shines, with its stems spilling over the rim. Hanging baskets and houseplants are its main uses, and peperomias also suit containers and terrariums. The genus makes good “personal plants” for small pots, dish gardens and terrariums you can enjoy up close.

Set a pot on a high shelf or a windowsill out of direct sun and let the stems cascade down. It also fits on an office desk. In frost-free gardens (zones 10a to 12b), a basket can hang in a shady spot on the patio.

Want something with more pattern? Browse these varieties from the Peperomia genus, including:

• Watermelon Peperomia: silvery striped leaves that resemble a watermelon rind
• Peperomia Caperata: rippled, heart-shaped leaves in burgundy-red or green with silver

The Bottom Line

Creeping buttons asks for very little: bright, indirect light, a warm room, a fast-draining mix, and patience between waterings. Let it dry out, empty the saucer, feed lightly in spring and summer, and this pet-safe trailer will keep tumbling out of its basket for years.

Where does your creeping buttons hang out? Tell us in the comments!