Peperomia obtusifolia, a succulent-looking Peperomia
Peperomia obtusifolia
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Piperaceae
- Genus
- Peperomia
- Species
- Peperomia obtusifolia
Other names:Piper obtusifolium, Peperomia floridana, Rhynchophorum floridanum, Rhynchophorum obtusifolium
With its small, fleshy leaves, Peperomia obtusifolia looks more like a Crassula than a Dumb cane. Yet, like the latter, it belongs to the Piperaceae family and comes to us from America. It grows in the lowland forests of Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean.
How to recognize wood purslane, Peperomia obtusifolia?
Contrary to appearances, Peperomia obtusifolia is not a succulent. It's a perennial, rhizomatous plant. It can grow up to 50 centimetres in all directions, and has a bushy habit.
The alternate leaves grow from a slightly pubescent petiole. Oval, with obtuse apices, they measure up to thirteen centimetres wide by fifteen centimetres long. In the botanical variety, the fleshy blades are bright green on top, paler on the reverse. Like the petiole, they can be tinged with red. However, specimens with cream, light green or white variegated foliage can be found in the wild and in garden centers.
Have you just bought a green Peperomia and don't know whether it's a Peperomia obtusifoliia or a Peperomia magnoliifolia? Look at the veins. In Peperomia magnolifoliia, they're visible at first glance.
Wood purslane flowers in summer. A spike about ten centimetres long rises from the middle of the foliage. It bears tiny white flowers.
Peperomia obtusifolia is not toxic to touch or ingest. You can adopt it without risk, even if you share your living room with young children or pets.
Our care tips
Peperomia obtusifolia 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
Allow the substrate to dry on the surface (at least three centimetres) between waterings. Water the root ball of your Peperomia obtusifolia with non-calcareous water at room temperature.
Don't forget to empty any stagnant water from the dish or pot. It will rot the roots.
Misting
Peperomia obtusifolia plants require a high level of humidity. Spray foliage with non-calcareous water, preferably rainwater.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Peperomia obtusifolia to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Obtain a pierced pot one size larger than the previous one. Place a bed of clay balls or non-limestone gravel at the bottom to promote drainage. Then fill with a nutrient-rich potting soil, such as green plant compost, to within three centimetres of the rim. This way, water won't overflow during watering.
To create a close environment that will remind your plant of its natural surroundings, you can place its pot on a saucer filled with wet clay balls. They'll diffuse a much-appreciated humidity!
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
To promote the growth of your Peperomia obtusifolia, use a green plant fertilizer.
Cleaning
The dust that accumulates on the leaves prevents photosynthesis. To ensure that your Peperomia obtusifolia takes full advantage of the light, clean its foliage with a clean, damp cloth. Then wipe with a soft cloth.
Prune
Remove wilted and yellowed leaves.
Pinch
Pinch your Peperomia obtusifolia during its growing season.
To encourage stem branching, pinch off the terminal buds.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Locate a healthy side shoot with no yellowed leaves. Cut a section about ten to fifteen centimeters long using 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
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting method
- In pots
- Tags
- BeginnerCold-sensitive
- Origins
- North AmericaCentral America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenLight greenWhitePale yellowCream
- Flower color
- White
Discover plants from the same family
Peperomia Watermelon
Peperomia argyreia
Dumb cane
Peperomia caperata
Peperomia Hope
Peperomia tetraphylla
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
