Peperomia obtusifolia, a succulent-looking Peperomia

With its small, fleshy leaves, Peperomia obtusifolia looks more like a Crassula than a White 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.

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.