Peperomias - Succelents

Varied foliage makes this plant family one of the most popular with indoor gardeners. Both upright and trailing types are available. Tall, skinny, stalk-like blooms add a touch of novelty to the stemless peperomias. Thickish, succulent leaves may be smooth, glossy green, vairegated, corrugated, or deeply ridged with green, pink, or red stems. Shown in the photo. Clockwise from the left: Peperomia obtusifolia, griseo-argentea, caperata, obtusifolia variegata dand sandersi - the most popular "watermelon peperomia". Dozens of other varieties also are avaiable.

Watermelon peperomia reaches 8 tgo 20 inches tall, with leaves striped like green and white watermelons. Most intriguing are the wrinkle-leaved peperomias, such as Emerald Ripple. Little Fantasy is a shorter variety; tri-color features variegated leaves on red leaf stems. Ivy peperomia resembles the wrinkle-leaved type, but grows taller, and thelarger leaves are less deeply wrinkled. The waxy-leaved peperomias, such as obtusifolia, become almost a foot tall and tend to trail when mature.

1. Light: Supply medium to bright light, but no direct sun.
2. Water: Succelent peperomias rot easily if kept too wet Allow the soild to dry a little during the short days of winter when the plant is dormat. When new growth starts in February, keep the soil evenly moist and be sure drainage is good. Peperomias like humidity and so make desirable terrarium plants.