Peperomia types: the most beautiful varieties

Do you want variety in your plant collection, but your green fingers are little too green? Then peperomias are just what you are looking for.

With so many species and varieties to choose from, deciding which one to get can be difficult. Luckily, peperomias do not take up much space, so you can keep several of them next to each other on a windowsill or shelf. To help you find what you are looking for, we have put together a small selection of the most beautiful peperomia types.

How many types of peperomia are there?

Peperomia is a versatile and species-rich plant genus. It includes 1500 to 1700 different species that are mainly found in the tropics of South America, but also in Africa, Asia and Australia. Not all peperomia species are available as houseplants. However, some have made it into our homes and delight us with their easy care and diverse foliage.

An overview of peperomia varieties

There is a wide range of species and varieties of peperomia, many of which can also be kept as houseplants. Caring for peperomias is quite simple. When choosing your peperomias, bear in mind that plants with light-coloured foliage typically need more light than ones with dark-coloured foliage.

Tip: Many gardening guides lump all peperomia species together. But as diverse as the genus is, their needs can be just as different. Peperomias are very forgiving, which is why it is often assumed that they can cope with any conditions. However, following the care tips specific to each peperomia species will result in healthier plants that you can enjoy for years to come.

Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)

The baby rubber plant is probably the best known of the dwarf peperomia species and is also called pepper face. Its leaves are ovate, thick and capable of retaining water. The shoots grow upright and are also slightly succulent. The many types of Peperomia obtusifolia bring a variety of colour into your home.

• Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Variegata’: creamy white and green marbled foliage
• Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Bohemian Bravour’: dark green, glossy leaves
• Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Green Gold’: foliage with a particularly high proportion of white or light green. Keep this variety in a somewhat brighter spot

How to care for Peperomia obtusifolia:

A High-quality potting soil, such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost, which does not contain peat and can store water for a long time, is an ideal substrate for this species. For more permeability, add 30% sand to the compost. Water your pepper face when the soil surface has dried out. Keep the baby rubber plant in a semi-shady spot.

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Trailing jade (Peperomia rotundifolia)

Due to its creeping growth pattern, trailing Jade is excellent as a hanging plant. The leaves of Peperomia rotundifolia are round, small and of a succulent-like.

How to care for Peperomia rotundifolia:

A semi-shady location is ideal for this species. Trailing jade feels at home in good quality houseplant soil and does not tolerate waterlogging or drought. So only water when the soil surface feels dry.

Raindrop peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya)

The large, heart-shaped leaves of Peperomia polybotrya immediately reveal where the species got its name. The pointed leaf tip, in particular, gives the foliage the appearance of thick raindrops. It an absolute eye-catcher in the home with its large, dark-green, glossy leaves.

• Peperomia polybotrya ‘Variegata’: variegated leaves in light and dark green.

How to care for Peperomia polybotrya:

This peperoma type prefers a loose, structurally stable substrate, such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost. Our compost is peat-free and made of natural ingredients. Keep your raindrop peperomia in a semi-shady spot with morning or evening sun, and water it regularly, so that the soil does not dry out nor become waterlogged.

Emerald ripple pepper (Peperomia caperata)

Emerald ripple peperomia has slightly smaller but similarly shaped leaves to the raindrop peperomia. The highly structured surface of its leaves gives it distinct appearance.

• Peperomia caperata ‘Luna Red’: dark red foliage
• Peperomia caperata ‘Pink Lady’: pink and light green, variegated, marbled leaves
• Peperomia caperata ‘Abricos’: dark green leaves with pink edges

How to care for Peperomia caperata:

For a suitable substrate, mix a peat-free universal soil with 30 % sand or clay granules. Pay extra attention to watering, as the soil should neither dry out nor be too wet.

Peperomia albovittata

This species also has thick heart-shaped leaves. The red stems are particularly eye-catching and look stunning against the green leaves. Peperomia albovittata grows upright and can have plain or patterned leaves.

• Peperomia albovitatta ‘Piccolo Banda’: striped dark red and green leaves
• Peperomia albovitatta ‘Rana verde’: meaning “green frog”, these have bright green, single-coloured leaves

How to care for Peperomia albovittata:

This species prefers well-draining potting soil or a cactus substrate. It needs a bit more water than most other species and should be watered regularly so that the substrate is constantly moist. Waterlogging, however, is not tolerated.

Watermelon pepper (Peperomia argyreia)

With its silvery and green, striped, round and pointed leaves, Peperomia argyreia strongly resembles the rind of a watermelon. As with Peperomia albovittata, the stems of watermelon peperomia are also red and grow upright.

How to care for Peperomia argyreia:

The substrate for watermelon peperomias must be permeable. Mix 30 % sand into a high-quality, peat-free substrate to increase the permeability. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Pincushion peperomia (Peperomia ferreyrae)

The upright stems of Peperomia ferreyrae are dense. The shape of its leaves is vastly different from the varieties mentioned above. The leaves are narrow, elongated and curled, giving them an unusual appearance.

• Peperomia ferreyrae ‘Happy Bean’: light green leaves with a shape similar to runner beans.

How to care for Peperomia ferreyrae:

Pincushion peperomias need a particularly permeable substrate. Either use a mixture of equal parts pumice gravel, universal soil and sand, or use a substrate mixture especially formulated for cacti. Allow the substrate to mostly dry out between waterings.

String of turtles (Peperomia prostrata)

This peperomia gets its name from its leaves which look like turtle shells. The small, round variegated or solid green leaves grow on long red shoots, making this peperomia variety a beautiful hanging plant.

• Peperomia prostrata ‘Pepperspot’: round, green leaves that grow on red shoots like little dots

How to care for Peperomia prostrata:

This species’ substrate can also be allowed to dry before being watered again. It needs permeable soil, so mix a universal soil with 30% sand to increase soil permeability.

Tip: Feed your peperomias regularly during the growing season (spring until autumn) with a small amount of liquid fertiliser, such as our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food. Your plants will thank you with healthy and lush green leaves that stand out in any room. Simply mix some liquid fertiliser directly into the water in your watering can. Water your plants as usual, and the nutrients will be quickly available to the plants.

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In our article on the top 10 easy-care houseplants, you will find more tips on other plants that easily enrich the green diversity in your home.