Peperomia
Family: Piperaceae
Habitat: South America and Africa
Cultivation: For a good growth of these plants, high temperatures are recommended (the ideal is around 24 ° C), water only with dry soil and, on the other hand, frequent spraying.
Curiosity: With over 1,100 species of plants, it is one of the largest genrer (though only a few of them are part of the succulent).
Peperomia Key Features
The Peperomia genus includes about 1,000 species of evergreen plants coming from the tropical and subtropical climates of America and Africa. Given the vastness of the genus, there are plants with a very variable shape: from climbers to bushy plants. Most species have fleshy leaves (and sometimes even stems), but only some of them belong to the succulent plants universe.
The flowers are very small, of light yellow color and grow clustered in inflorescences in the shape of an umbrella or an ear, according to the species. They are free of petals and sepals and are usually hermaphrodites. In general, they are cultivated for the beauty of their shiny leaves, in various shades of green, and collected in decorative shapes.
VARIETIES AND TYPES
As we have said, Peperomie is one of the largest genres, with over 1100 species. Only a few, however, fall into the definition of succulent. Among these, let’s remember:
- Peperomia asperula
- P. columella
- P. ferreyarae
TIPS FOR CULTIVATION
These tips are valid for most Peperomia. However, you can go back to what is recommended for succulents in general:
- EXPOSURE: Peperomia should be placed in a bright place, but not under direct sunlight.
- TEMPERATURE: These plants want very high temperatures: around 24 ° C is the ideal temperature, while the minimum should never drop below 10-12 ° C.
- WATERING: Water when the soil is dry, both in spring and autumn. At the same time, however, the air should be kept damp: this is why it is advisable to spray nebulizers often or to hold small containers of water around the vessel so that with heat they will release the necessary water vapor. Watering will then be extremely poor in summer (even once a month).
- SOIL: Choose a fertile soil or a mix of peat and sand.
- FERTILIZATION: Dilute a specific product for succulent plants, rich in nitrogen and microelements, in the water of the watering and use once a month during the vegetative period.
- REPOT: Generally, you are going to repot once a year in the spring.
- REPRODUCTION: Usually the cuttings are used, starting from individual leaves or small shoots (or vegetative quotes). It is recommended to make the bias cut so as to increase the available surface for rooting.
