Green, round leaves of Peperomia Hope

Credit: James Steakley

Peperomia Hope with small round leaves in pot

Credit: Ix kimiaranda

Peperomia Hope flowers

Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek

Green, round leaves of Peperomia Hope

Credit: Jerzy Opiola

Peperomia Hope, a plant made for your home

There's no need to look for Peperomia Hope in the rainforests of Brazil or Venezuela. You won't find it perched on a tree alongside Peperomia argyreia, white cane and other species in the Piperaceae family. This perennial plant is a cross between Peperomia deppeana and Peperomia quadrifolia. It was created to decorate our homes.

How to recognize Peperomia Hope?

Peperomia Hope is a green plant with a drooping habit. At just fifteen centimetres in diameter and twenty centimetres high, it fits in just about anywhere. But don't expect it to go unnoticed! Its long, drooping vines are ideal for hanging.

The evergreen foliage of Peperomia Hope brightens up our living rooms all year round. The bright green leaves are illuminated by light green streaks. Blades grow in groups of two, three or four along the fleshy stem. Oval, almost round, they are thick like those of succulents.

Its decorative foliage remains the main attraction of Peperomia Hope. Indoors, flowering is almost non-existent. A good way to avoid the nauseating odors that escape from the flowers of certain Peperomia varieties!

Like all Peperomias, Peperomia Hope is non-toxic. You can grow it with young children or animals without fear. Some even claim it has pollution-removing properties. In Brazil, the plant even brings good luck.

Our maintenance tips

Peperomia Hope is an undemanding tropical plant. The main thing is not to overwater it. It also appreciates light, but fears direct sunlight. Finally, it needs warmth. Never leave it in a room where the temperature falls below 13 degrees, and keep it away from draughts.

Watering

Your Peperomia tetraphylla is more afraid of too much water than of forgetting. You should only water when the surface of the soil is two to three centimetres dry.

When you do water, do so generously. Use non-calcareous water, such as demineralized water or rainwater, always at room temperature.

If you use a planter or saucer, empty any standing water after each watering.

Spray

The air in our apartments is too dry for plants used to high humidity. Mist your Peperomia tetraphylla with water at room temperature.

Rainwater is preferable to tap water. Tap water causes white spots on the foliage.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Peperomia tetraphylla to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

In a pierced pot larger than the previous one, place a bed of clay balls, gravel or pebbles. Cover with the substrate. You can mix a special potting soil for green plants or houseplants with sand or compost.

Remove your plant from its container. To help the roots take hold, gently loosen the root bun. Plant in the center of the pot and top up with potting soil.

To improve humidity, place the pot on a dish filled with moist clay balls.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Apply green plant fertilizer in addition to watering.

Cleaning

Using a clean, damp cloth, clean the top and bottom of the leaves. This removes dust and limits the appearance of pests.

Prune

Cut dead leaves with a sharp, clean tool.

Pinch

Pinch your Peperomia tetraphylla during its growing season.

Pinch the ends of the stems to force the plant to branch out and maintain a compact habit.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Locate a healthy secondary stem with no yellowing leaves. Cut off a portion about ten to fifteen centimetres long with a clean, sharp tool.

Plant your graft in a pierced pot containing a mixture of rich potting soil (horticultural potting soil, potting soil for seedlings, special potting soil for cuttings, etc.) and sand. Place them in a bright spot, but away from direct sunlight.

Disease / Threat

Red spiders

Information

Family	Piperaceae - Piperaceae
Type	Peperomia - Peperomia
Species	Peperomia tetraphylla - Peperomia tetraphylla
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Herbaceous Hanging plants
Tag	Beginner
Hardiness (USDA)	11a
Leaf color