How to Care for Rippled Peperomia

Rippled peperoma (Peperomia caperata) is a Brazilian rain forest native that grows about 8 inches tall, making it an ideal houseplant. Wrinkly green leaves give the plant its nickname. NASA scientists who studied peperomia plants found that they help clean indoor air of formaldehyde. A member of the pepper family, rippled peperomia is one of the easier houseplants to grow, as long as it isn't overwatered.

Things You'll Need

• Houseplant fertilizer
• Miticide
• Potting soil or peat moss, loam and sand

Instructions

1. Grow the rippled peperomia in an area with dappled shade or provide a space receiving sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon.

2. Keep the temperature in the peperomia's room between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Never allow the temperature to dip below 50 F.

3. Allow the soil around the peperomia's roots to dry a bit before watering it with room-temperature water. Stick your finger into the soil to its full length. If the soil is dry, water the plant. Water half as frequently during winter.

4. Fertilize the rippled peperomia with a houseplant fertilizer at half the strength listed on the label. Fertilize once a month beginning in late spring, and stop fertilizing at the beginning of fall.

5. Repot the rippled peperomia when the roots fill the pot and can be seen from the drainage holes at the bottom. Use a quality potting mix or make your own out of 3 parts peat moss, and 1 part each of loam and coarse sand.

6. Inspect the wrinkled peperomia periodically for signs of spider mites. These tiny insects thrive in the dry indoor environment. Webbing on the leaves and stems is a good indication of an infestation. Wash the plant under the faucet in the kitchen or in the shower. Master gardeners at Colorado State University Extension suggest doing this twice a week for one month. If washing the foliage fails to control the spider mite infestation, use a miticide according to label instructions.

References

• NASA: Houseplants, Indoor Air Pollutants and Allergic Reactions
• University of Oklahoma: Peperomia Caperata - Emerald Ripple Peperomia Piperaceae
• Texas A&M University: Emerald Ripple Peperomia
• Super Floral Retailing: Peperomia
• Colorado State University Denver County Extension: Spider Mites on Houseplants