Free Peperomia Caperata Plants

An unusual Peperomia with long, white flower spikes borne above ridged and crinkly leaves. It is a useful subject for a mixed planting and is suitable for growing in a bottle garden. The succulent foliage is capable of retaining water so take care not to provide the plant with too much. Unlike many plants, which initially suffer root loss when over-watered and then wilt, the Peperomia rots from above, and the whole of the top of the plant can simply fall off. It is a good idea to water the plant from below to avoid the crown becoming too wet. Care should be taken when handling the plant, as the foliage can be bruised quite easily, again resulting in disease and loss. If any leaves should become damaged they must be removed with a sharp knife before any rotting occurs.

Plant type : Foliage plant with compact habit
Season of interest : All year round
Size : 10-20cm (4—8in)
Flower : White poker-like flower stalk on pink stem, 10-25cm (4—1 Oin), produced in spring/summer
Leaf : Heart-shaped, puckered, 4cm (1 jin), dark green, fleshy, on fleshy pink stems
Temperature : 15 - 20°C (59—68°F)
Aspect/Light : Well-lit situation, but out of direct sun
Humidity : Moderate to high
Watering : Barely moisten compost in spring and summer; keep drier in autumn and winter with just enough to stop compost drying out
Feeding : Once a month with half strength houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer
Propagation : summer Plant leaf cuttings with 2.5-3cm (1-1 1/4in) stem in seed and cutting compost at 20°C (68°F) from mid spring to mid summer
Potting : Houseplant potting compost
Problems : Red spider mite, crown rot from careless watering
Availability : Commonly available throughout year
Uses indoors : Good table-top plant, and useful in planters, bowls and bottle gardens
Other varieties : P.c. 'Tricolor' - variegated green and white foliage, P. hederifolia- silver-grey leaves