Peperomia serpens 'Variegata'

Peperomia serpens is the accepted name, you may see this plant labelled as Peperomia scandens.

Peperomia serpens is part of the Piperaceae family and its native range is S. Mexico to Tropical America. Leaves are cordate and fleshy, ‘Variegata’ has creamy white leaf margins and the stems near leaf joints are light pink in colour. Peperomia serpens has a climbing growth habit, stems are thick and leaves are typically rigid when the plant is hydrated and will shrivel and become flaccid when the plant requires watering.

Genus name comes from the Greek ‘peperi’ meaning pepper and ‘homoios’ meaning one with or the same as - this is in reference to how similar the plant looks to Piper nigrum (Black Pepper). The specific epithet comes from the Latin ‘serpere’ meaning to crawl or creep.

Pot: ø 15cm.

Foliage: Approximately 40cm.

Light: Bright indirect light, meaning the plant sees the sun for 0-4 hours per day - this could be through trees or a translucent curtain, it’s important for the plant to see the sky in order to thrive.

Water: Allow the first 2-3 inches of mix to dry out. Peperomia are prone to stem rot so bottom watering is ideal. They have thick, fleshy leaves that hold on to water. 

Potting mix: A well draining mix composed of coco coir, perlite or vermiculite, orchid bark and worm castings. Swapping orchid bark for horticultural sand would also work too.

Fertilising: Feed your plant every other watering during the growing season or when you observe active growth. You can dilute fertiliser to half the recommended amount but never add more.

Temperature: 15-22˚C.

Humidity: Peperomia prefer higher humidity but do well to adapt to average home humidity. You can increase humidity by placing the plant on a watered pebble tray, using a cloche or using a humidifier.

Peperomia are non-toxic.