Scientific Name
Peperomia dolabriformis var. glaucescens C. DC.
Common Name(s)
Prayer Pepper
Scientific Classification
Family: Piperaceae
Genus: Peperomia
Origin
Peperomia dolabriformis var. glaucescens is native to the warm valleys of northern Peru.
Description
Peperomia dolabriformis var. glaucescens is a shrubby succulent with fleshy stems that become woody with age and purse-shaped leaves. The leaves are thick and fleshy and can measure up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long, 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) wide, and 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) thick. They are whitish to pinkish, folded in half upward, and fused along the dark green margins, creating a narrow dark green window. The plant can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and may be either rosette-forming or erect, laxly branched, reaching a height of up to 2 feet (60 cm).
The inconspicuous greenish-white flowers appear in summer on green, slender panicles that can grow up to 16 inches (40 cm) long.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 11a to 11b: from 40 °F (4.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Peperomias 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 problems are usually related to watering. They like steadily moist soil but can be very sensitive to overwatering. Overwatered Peperomias tend to wilt or have raised, scab-like protrusions on their leaves. Do not be alarmed if your plant loses a few bottom leaves, but a massive leaf drop is usually due to a temperature change or fertilizer problem. Lastly, Peperomias are susceptible to mealybugs, so keep an eye out for cottony white masses on the stems or undersides of leaves. These plants thrive when slightly pot-bound, so do not overpot them.
Repot plants in spring, especially to refresh the existing soil, but place them either into a same-size container after root-pruning or up to only one pot size. The largest Peperomias remain relatively small, so they will never grow into large specimen plants. Most species can be relatively easily propagated from leaf cuttings.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Peperomia.
Links
- Back to genus Peperomia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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