Scientific Name
Peperomia obtusifolia (L.) A.Dietr.
Common Name(s)
American Rubber Plant, American Baby Rubber Plant, Baby Rubber Plant, Blunt Leaf Peperomia, Blunt-leaved Peperomia, Oval Leaf Peperomia, Pepper Face, Pepper Face Plant
Synonym(s)
Peperomia antoni, Peperomia bayatana, Peperomia commutata, Peperomia cruciata, Peperomia cuneifolia, Peperomia daiquiriana, Peperomia dodecatheontophylla, Peperomia earlei, Peperomia fieldiana, Peperomia floridana, Peperomia gollii, Peperomia hemionitidifolia, Peperomia lunana, Peperomia mentiens, Peperomia palmae, Peperomia peninsularis, Peperomia petenensis, Peperomia pyrolifolia, Peperomia romaensis, Peperomia valerioi, Piper cuneifolium, Piper humile, Piper milleri, Piper obtusifolium, Rhynchophorum floridanum, Rhynchophorum obtusifolium
Scientific Classification
Family: Piperaceae
Genus: Peperomia
Description
Peperomia obtusifolia is a bushy plant with thick erect stems and waxy dark green leaves. It grows up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall. Leaves are elliptic and up to 6 inches (15 cm) long. The flowers are interesting but not particularly showy. They are greenish-white and appear on up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) long spikes from late spring to early fall.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °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 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 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.
Origin
This species is native to Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Links
- Back to genus Peperomia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
Advertisements