Peperomia obtusifolia
Compact, low-maintenance tropical houseplant with glossy, spoon-shaped fleshy leaves that store water, tolerates indirect light, and thrives in loose, moist, well-draining soil with high humidity, sources
Common Names
Baby Rubber Plant, Pepper Face
Summary
Peperomia obtusifolia is an evergreen perennial native to tropical Americas, with a compact upright habit and thick, glossy spoon-shaped leaves that store water. Leaves are dark green and may be solid or variegated, and the plant can produce small greenish-white flowers on spikes in favorable conditions.
Cultivation favors bright indirect light (variegated forms may require more light), a well-draining mix, and watering only when the top inch of soil dries; maintain around 65–75°F with moderate humidity. Fertilize every 4 weeks during the growing season, and propagate easily from stem or leaf cuttings; the plant is non-toxic to humans and pets and suits desks, shelves, or hanging baskets.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
8-12 inches
Spread
6-12 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 10-12
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial shade, tolerates partial sun, avoid direct sunlight.
Soil Type
Well-draining soil
Soil Drainage
Well-draining soil
Soil pH
0-14
Tolerates all soil pH levels
Bloom Color
Insignificant
Bloom Time
Spring to Winter
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
No fall foliage color
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Slow growth; about 3–6 inches per year under optimum conditions, slower in winter.
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Cuttings (stem cuttings and leaf cuttings), including water propagation
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (L.) A.Dietr.
- Publication
- Sp. Pl., ed. 6. 1: 154.
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Piperales
- Family
- Piperaceae
- Genus
- Peperomia
Inferior Taxa
Peperomia obtusifolia var. cuneata Peperomia obtusifolia var. alveolata
Synonyms
Peperomia macropoda Peperomia puteolifera Peperomia cuneata Peperomia emarginata Piper hemionitidifolium Piper emarginatum Piper obtusifolium Piper tithymaloides Peperomia magnoliifolia var. emarginulata Peperomia obtusifolia var. emarginulata Peperomia floridana Peperomia fieldiana Peperomia obtusifolia var. obtusifolia Peperomia antoni var. reducta Peperomia cuneifolia Peperomia daiquiriana Peperomia dodecatheontophylla Peperomia earlei Peperomia hemionitidifolia Peperomia lunana Piper cuneifolium Piper milleri Rhynchophorum obtusifolium Rhynchophorum floridanum Peperomia valerioi Peperomia mentiens Peperomia pyrolifolia Peperomia palmae Peperomia obtusifolia var. emarginulata Piper humile Peperomia peninsularis Peperomia galeottii Peperomia tithymaloides Peperomia obtusifolia f. oblongifolia Peperomia obtusifolia var. macropoda Peperomia obtusifolia var. papyracea Peperomia obtusifolia var. parvifolia Peperomia gollii Peperomia obtusifolia var. emarginata Peperomia cruciata Peperomia bayatana Peperomia obtusifolia var. petiolata Peperomia obtusifolia var. floridana