Peperomia is the Houseplant of the month for April 2016

Many shades of green, with yellow, red and silver. Both plain and with leaf markings. And all this in a compact plant with a strong natural look: Peperomia.

Flowers like ponytails

Peperomia comes in many types, sizes and colours, from green to pink.  The plants have great decorative value thanks to the shape and markings on the leaves, which can be small and luxuriant, or long and pointy. They can also be robust, in a full bush form.  Some Peperomia bloom with sturdy green fronds which stand proudly upright, like cheerful ponytails, whilst others mainly offer beautiful foliage. The structure of that foliage is nicely layered, so that the plant looks full and lively. The dense structure has a protective appearance and also absorbs sound, so that the plant helps create peace and quiet in the home. All that green foliage also purifies the air according to NASA research*.

Synergy

The houseplant has a warm, friendly appearance and with its round shape and lavish foliage fits well with the current style trend, in which circles and connections play an essential role.  Key concepts such as sustainability, simplicity and satisfaction all come together in the magnificent shapes of Peperomia. Materials with a handmade aspect fit well with this: think of ceramics, cotton, linen and glass. Plastic with a wicker core can create a new dimension, changing the look completely. The cheerful ponytails which stick up from some varieties like aerials make Peperomia a significant connecting element.

Playing with circles

Because most varieties do not grow very tall, Peperomia is very suitable for use bottle gardens and terrariums. The foliage is also suitable for low bowls: it’s at its best when you can look down on it. Anyone seeking to carry through the circle trend should place Peperomia in a low bowl on a round saucer on a round table in order to echo the ripples from a stone in still water.

Care of Peperomia

Peperomia comes from a large family of some 500 plants with decorative foliage, and is related to pepper. In the wild the plant grows in the Amazon region of South America, preferably under trees where it’s warm and shady. Peperomia does not need a lot of care: ‘loving neglect’ is the watchword. The plant enjoys a light spot but not in direct sunlight, although it can tolerate that. For best results do not allow the soil to dry out completely, and do not pour water onto the leaves.

• Peperomia is a suitable starter plant for people whose fingers are not very green.
• Particularly lovely: putting the various shades of green of different Peperomia together.
• In Brazil Peperomia is seen as a bringer of luck. They view it as a reassuring gift that says: ‚Everything will be alright’.
• This houseplant has a range of illustrious nicknames, such as swan spice, dwarf pepper, crocodile’s tears or rat’s tail.
• The name is derived from the Greek: ‘peperi’ means ‚pepper‘ and ‘homoios’ means ‘like’.

For more information see: www.thejoyofplants.co.uk

* edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/he/he35600.pdf

Published on: 31 března 2016