Peperomia columella (Columnar Peperomia)

Scientific Name

Peperomia columella Rauh & Hutchison

Common Names

Columnar Peperomia

Scientific Classification

Family: Piperaceae
Genus: Peperomia

Description

Peperomia columella is a succulent plant with snake-like shoots having numerous thick, fleshy, bright green leaves, that are truncated, shaped like an horseshoe and composed of water-storing window tissue which allows light penetration to the interior photosynthetic tissue. The stem is ascending, terete, succulent densely covered by the alternately arranged leaves, up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall and up to 0.4 inch (1 cm) in diameter. The stems branch profusely and send up new growth from the base. Occasionally, it produce tail-like flowers in spring.

Photo via cactiguide.com

How to Grow and Care

Peperomia are not particularly hard plants to grow, and their small size and delicate leaves make them perfect for desktops and dish gardens. They will rarely overtake their neighbors or shade them out. In short, they are perfectly mannered and attractive little plants. The biggest problem facing Peperomia are usually related to watering. They like steadily moist soil, but can be very sensitive to overwatering. Overwatered Peperomia tend to wilt (paradoxically) or have raised, scab-like protrusions on their leaves. Don't be alarmed if your plant loses a few bottom leaves, but massive leaf-drop is usually due to a temperature change or fertilizer problem. Lastly, Peperomia are susceptible to mealybugs, so keep an eye out for cottony white masses on the stems or undersides of leaves. Peperomia thrives when slightly pot-bound, so don't over pot them.

Repot plants in spring, especially to refresh the existing soil, but place either back into the same size container after root-pruning or go up only one pot size. The largest Peperomia remain relatively small, so they will never grow into large specimen plants… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Peperomia.