Peperomia caperata, an indoor plant with raised foliage
Peperomia caperata
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Piperaceae
- Genus
- Peperomia
- Species
- Peperomia caperata
An epiphytic plant native to Brazil, Peperomia caperata belongs to the Piperaceae family. Sometimes called white cane or wrinkled Peperomia, it is also distinguished by its raised foliage.
How to recognize Peperomia caperata, the white cane?
In our latitudes, Peperomia caperata is a green plant that doesn't exceed 25 centimetres in height. Often wider than it is tall, this perennial has a bushy habit. Its red stems are fleshy, like those of a succulent.
White cane is grown indoors for its decorative, evergreen foliage, quite unlike that of Peperomia argyreia or Peperomia tetraphylla. The heart-shaped leaves are four centimetres long and have an embossed appearance. Emerald-green and shiny, the limbs bear gray, almost silvery spots. Green gives way to purple on the reverse.
Peperomia caperata owes its nickname of white cane to its flowering. During the summer, white flowers bloom. Tiny, they form a spadix measuring ten to fifteen centimetres. These inflorescences resemble white canes.
Many Peperomia specimens are marketed under the name Peperomia caperata. While some, such as Peperomia caperata Luna Red, come from the same variety, others are crosses of several Peperomia species. One example is Peperomia Rosso, a Peperomia with elongated leaves.
Peperomia caperata is non-toxic. You can add it to your collection even if you live with pets or young children.
Our care tips
The White Cane 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
White Canes appreciate constant but moderate humidity. Before watering your plant, make sure it needs it by touching the surface of the potting soil. If two or three centimetres of the surface is dry, you can water.
If you can, use non-calcareous water such as rainwater or filtered water.
Make sure the water doesn't stagnate in the saucer or planter.
If you can, use non-calcareous water such as rainwater or filtered water.
Make sure the water doesn't stagnate in the saucer or planter.
Misting
Your Peperomia caperata appreciates moisture on its foliage. Spray it regularly with non-calcareous water to improve humidity.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Peperomia caperata to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
In a large, perforated pot, place a bed of clay balls, gravel or small pebbles about 20% of the way up. This layer promotes drainage and prevents root rot.
Fill your pot with a draining substrate, such as potting soil for green plants. Plant your White cane in the center and cover.
To improve humidity, place your plant in a saucer filled with moist clay balls.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Addgreen plant fertilizer to watering water.
Cleaning
Photosynthesis is slowed down by dust accumulating on the leaves. To help your White cane make the most of its exposure, clean the foliage with a clean, damp cloth.
Dusting also helps prevent pest attacks.
Prune
Remove yellowed or dried leaves and wilted flowers
Pinch
Pinch your Peperomia caperata during its growing season.
Pinch stem ends to encourage branching and maintain dense growth.
Taking cuttings
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Locate a secondary stem about ten centimeters long and separate it from the main stem using scissors, a knife or pruning shears. They should be clean and sharp.
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
- Categories
- IndoorHerbaceous
- Tags
- BeginnerFlowery
- Origin
- South America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenSilverPurple
- Flower color
- White
Discover plants from the same family
Peperomia Watermelon
Peperomia argyreia
Peperomia Hope
Peperomia tetraphylla
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
