The dwarf or ornamental pepper (bot. Peperomia) is an ornamental plant from the tropics with thick fleshy leaves. There are around 1,500 different species and varieties that differ in shape and color, but none of them grow higher than about 30 centimeters. The decorative fleshy dwarf pepper (bot. Peperomia obtusifolia) is particularly popular as a houseplant, and it does not require much care in the right location.

There are over 1500 types of dwarf pepper

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. appearance and growth
  3. leaves
  4. flowers and flowering time
  5. fruit
  6. toxicity
  7. Which location is suitable?
  8. substrate
  9. plants and repotting
  10. Pour dwarf pepper
  11. Fertilize dwarf pepper properly
  12. Cut the dwarf pepper correctly
  13. Multiply dwarf pepper
  14. hibernate
  15. diseases and pests
  16. species and varieties

    17. origin and distribution

    The dwarf pepper belongs to a large family of around 1500 different species and is botanically closely related to the well-known kitchen spice. The pretty foliage plant is at home in the South American Amazon region, where it prefers to be found under the warm shade of the large jungle trees. But various varieties can also be found in other tropical to subtropical areas of Central and South America. They all share the need for a year-round warm culture, which is why the plant is only suitable for indoor culture, but not for the garden.

    appearance and growth

    The squat perennial forms a dense clump. As the name suggests, dwarf pepper does not grow particularly large and only grows to a height of between 15 and 30 centimetres. The thick, fleshy leaves are very different in shape and color depending on the species and variety and can range from plain fresh green to yellow or white-green variegated. Small collections can be created on the windowsill with different varieties of the dwarf pepper.

    leaves

    Peperomias - which are sometimes also referred to as watermelon plants, rat tails or crocodile tears - are pronounced ornamental foliage plants that are also wonderfully suited for smaller window sills. The five to eight centimeter long and elliptically shaped leaves are fleshy and have a leathery texture. The leaf blade is shiny in all varieties, regardless of the varied coloring of the leaves.

    flowers and flowering time

    In contrast to the attractive foliage of the dwarf pepper, the bulb-shaped flower spikes are very small and hardly noticeable. The light green to yellowish-white flowers usually appear between April and December.

    fruit

    Equally inconspicuous, small berries develop from the delicate flowers.

    toxicity

    Dwarf pepper is not poisonous, but instead is very suitable for planting in terrariums. Reptiles like to eat the juicy leaves.

    Which location is suitable?

    Although peperomias do not need much care, they do need a suitable location. The plants should be placed on a window sill in a light but not directly sunny spot, with varieties with variegated leaves generally needing more light than monochromatic ones. However, you should definitely avoid direct sunlight, as this leads to leaf burns and thus to unsightly brown spots. Since the ornamental leaf plant also does not tolerate temperature fluctuations, drafts should also be avoided. The optimal room temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius all year round, although it should never get colder than 18 degrees Celsius.

    The dwarf pepper can also spend the summer months in a bright but shady spot on the balcony or terrace. However, be sure to bring the plant in as soon as it gets permanently cooler than 18 degrees Celsius, there is a strong wind or storm, or it rains frequently.

    substrate

    Plant the dwarf pepper in commercially available green plant or tub plant soil, which should not be based on peat for environmental reasons. Compost soil is a bit more expensive, but the plants thrive much better in it. For better permeability, add expanded clay (€19.73) or other inorganic materials to the substrate. Good pot drainage is also essential to avoid waterlogging. To do this, fill in a layer of gravel or expanded clay a few centimeters thick on the bottom of the pot.

    plants and repotting

    Peperomia are the right choice if there is little space for indoor plants in the apartment. The flat-rooted plants develop only a few roots and therefore make do with small planters and hanging baskets. Furthermore, several specimens can be planted in groups in a larger pot. And this is how it is planted:

    • Fill the drainage layer in the pot.
    • Then fill the plant substrate.
    • Push in a planting hole with your fingers.
    • Put the dwarf pepper in it.
    • Gently press the plant.
    • Water them lightly.
    • The substrate should be moist but not wet.

    Repot the plants once a year in early summer in fresh substrate, a larger planter is not always necessary. Do not choose a plant pot that is too large, otherwise the little plants will look very lost in it. If Peperomia are fully grown and are no longer getting any bigger, it is sufficient to simply change the top layer of soil.

    Pour dwarf pepper

    Ideally, the dwarf pepper is in a substrate that is always slightly moist, but never wet. Before each watering, do a finger test: If the soil in the pot feels dry and crumbly on the surface, it's time to pour the watering can again. Use well stale tap water or collected rainwater for this, since dwarf pepper, like so many tropical plants, does not tolerate lime. Excess irrigation water from the planter or saucer should be removed immediately.

    Fertilize dwarf pepper properly

    Since dwarf peppers only need a few nutrients (and are repotted in fresh substrate every year anyway), only fertilize the plants in low doses. It is best to use a liquid fertilizer for indoor or green plants, which you administer together with the irrigation water. Fertilize every two weeks during the main growing season between April and October, but only every four weeks during the cold season.

    Cut the dwarf pepper correctly

    Pruning measures are neither necessary nor useful, especially since the dwarf pepper achieves its pleasing growth form without the help of scissors. Only dry or withered leaves should be plucked off carefully with your fingers.

    Multiply dwarf pepper

    The easy-care pepper plants can be easily propagated with head or leaf cuttings. It is best to cut these in spring or during the summer months. And this is how the propagation of cuttings succeeds:

    • Cut off head cuttings about ten centimeters long.
    • Start the cut just below a leaf node.
    • This is where the roots will grow later.
    • Remove all leaves from the lower part of the shoot.
    • Plant the cuttings individually in small pots.
    • Fill this with a mixture of potting soil and gravel/clay clay.
    • Moisten the substrate.
    • Put a cut-off PET bottle over the cutting.
    • Alternatively, stretched transparent film also works.
    • Place the pots in a bright, sunny and warm location.
    • Ventilate daily.
    • Keep the substrate only slightly moist.

    Within two to three months, most cuttings have fully rooted and can be repotted if necessary.

    hibernate

    Special measures for hibernation are not necessary, since peperomias should be kept warm all year round. However, due to the reduced amount of light during the winter, you should water and fertilize the plants less frequently.

    diseases and pests

    The dwarf pepper reacts quite sensitively to excessive moisture or even waterlogging. This promotes root rot and also causes leaves and shoots to rot. Otherwise, the pests typical of indoor culture keep coming back, although these can be easily combated. Regular checks for spider mites, mealybugs, mealybugs and thrips as well as timely appropriate measures in the event of an infestation are therefore useful. Diseased plants should also be separated for the period of treatment to prevent them from spreading to healthy ones.

    tips

    Since the ornamental pepper should be out of the sun anyway, you can also cultivate it in dark corners of the room. Installed plant lights provide the required brightness. The same applies to planting in terrariums. Combine different looking varieties together in a bowl or other shallow planter.

    species and varieties

    There are around 1500 (some sources state up to 1700) different species of dwarf pepper, many of which can be cultivated in the living room at home. The numerous varieties are very diverse in their leaf shapes and colors. There are peperomias not only with green or variegated (variegated) leaves, but also with red-brown, red, silvery or striped foliage. The leaves can be both fleshy and thick, but also thin, smooth or wrinkled. In addition to the upright growing species, there are also creeping and hanging forms that are very well suited for a traffic light culture.

    Peperomia argyreia

    Also known as the watermelon plant, this species is native to northern South America, where it is found primarily in the forests of Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela. The thick, fleshy, wide and pointed leaves are striking with their attractive silvery-green stripes. The red leaf stalks of the up to 40 centimeter high species provide an interesting contrast.

    Peperomia caperata

    The species native to Brazil is also known as wrinkled or emerald green peperomia. Its heart-shaped leaves are heavily wavy and solid dark green. The petioles are also reddish in color. This ornamental pepper remains quite small with a growth height of only approx. 25 centimetres.

    Peperomia fraseri

    The species native to Ecuador and Peru bears the German name Ivy Leaf Ornamental Pepper. It forms numerous small, rounded leaves that are reddish on the underside. However, the up to 65 high, slightly fragrant flower spikes are particularly attractive.

    Peperomia griseoargentea (syn. Peperomia hederifolia)

    The species, which only grows to a height of about 15 centimeters, has pretty, silvery shimmering foliage and delights with flower spikes that grow up to 25 centimeters high.

    Peperomia obtusifoli

    The fleshy ornamental pepper is available in numerous varieties and usually reaches a height of up to 35 centimeters. For example, the following are particularly pretty:

    • 'Alba': newly emerging leaves are yellow
    • 'Alba-marginata': light foliage with a silvery border
    • 'Green': uniform fresh green foliage
    • 'Raindrop': uniform fresh green foliage
    • 'USA': pretty variant with yellow-green foliage
    • 'Variegata': yellow-green variegated foliage

Category:

Indoor plants