Peperomia Caperata

Beginner’s Guide: How to Care for your Peperomia Caperata

Emerald Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia caperata) is a small houseplant that can tolerate low light conditions and will grow well under artificial light. It is a good indoor plant on office desks and humid spaces such as bathroom counters. Peperomia caperata is the most common peperomia species with wrinkled heart-shaped leaves of varying greenish to purplish colors. Here is a beginner’s guide on how to care for your Peperomia caperata indoors.

Peperomia Caperata
Peperomia Caperata

Peperomia caperata Houseplant Care at a Glance

NameEmerald Ripple Peperomia 
Scientific NamePeperomia caperata
LightBright Filtered Light. Can Tolerate Low Light.
Daytime Temperature70 to 80 F (21-26C)
Night Time Temperature60 to 70 F (15-21C)
WaterAbundant Water
HumidityHigh Humidity
PottingWell-draining, organic, all-purpose potting mix
FertilizerOnce every 2 weeks at half strength during the growing season. Once a month in the winter.
Toxic to Pets and HumansNon-Toxic
Peperomia caperata Houseplant Care at a Glance

Peperomia caperata: Common Names 

Peperomia caperata is also called Little Fantasy Peperomia, Emerald Ripple Peperomia, Ripple Peperomia, Green Ripple Peperomia, and Emerald Ripper Pepper.

Peperomia caperata: Size

Your Peperomia caperata is a small houseplant that grows to less than 12 inches tall and wide.

Peperomia caperata: Toxic to Dogs?

According to the ASPCA, Peperomia caperata is not toxic to dogs. However, you may want to keep your Peperomia caperata out of reach if you find your dog snacking on it frequently!

Peperomia caperata: Toxic to Cats?

According to the ASPCA, Peperomia caperata is not toxic to cats.

Light

Peperomia caperata: Sun or Shade?

Peperomia caperata grows best in bright, filtered light. The best placement for your Peperomia caperata is an East facing window. However, because it is tolerant of low light, it will also grow well in a north facing window and under artificial light. Thus, making it a good houseplant for office desks, bathroom counters, and kitchen counters. 

Water

How Often Should You Water Your Peperomia caperata?

Your Peperomia caperata grows best in high humidity conditions. Water your Peperomia caperata when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it is time to water your Peperomia caperata is to feel the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 0.5 inch deep. If it feels dry, it’s time to water your Peperomia caperata.

What Type of Water Should You Use When Watering Your Peperomia caperata?

Your Peperomia caperata can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your Peperomia caperata. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your Peperomia caperata.

Peperomia caperata prefers cool water that is not hot and not cold. When you turn on the cold water from the faucet add a little bit of warm water. You can also get to this ideal temperature by filling a watering can or pitcher with water and leaving it out overnight until the water is at room temperature. 

How Do You Make Sure There is Proper Drainage for Your Peperomia caperata?

Your Peperomia caperata Good drainage is important, you don’t want your Peperomia caperata to sit in soggy soil. Make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

After watering your Peperomia caperata and you see water draining out of the pot’s drainage holes, make sure you empty out the accumulated water in the saucer. Don’t let your Peperomia caperata’s pot sit in this puddle of water. It will cause root rot!

Do You Need to Mist Your Peperomia caperata?

Your Peperomia caperata is a tropical houseplant that likes humid conditions. You should increase indoor humidity. Turn on the humidifier or place it in a high-humid indoor space such as your bathroom counter. Mist your Peperomia caperata a few times a week.

Soil

What Type of Potting Mix is Best for Your Peperomia caperata?

Your Peperomia caperata needs a well-draining, organic all-purpose potting mix. 

Peperomia caperata Plant Potting Mix

You can make your own potting mix for your Peperomia caperata by blending the following potting media: 

How Do You Know When To Repot Your Peperomia caperata?

Repot your Peperomia caperata when it outgrows its current pot. Repot your Peperomia caperata in a container with a diameter 2 inches larger than the current pot. Keep your Peperomia caperata in small containers since these are small plants.

Fertilizer

Do You Need to Fertilize Your Peperomia caperata?

Your Peperomia caperata should be fertilized once every 2 weeks at half strength during the growing season. Once a months in the winter.

What Fertilizer Should You Use on Your Peperomia caperata?

Use liquid or powder, organic fertilizer with a higher ratio of nitrogen on your Peperomia caperata.

Propagation

How Do You Propagate Your Peperomia caperata?

Your Peperomia caperata is easy to propagate. You can propagate your Peperomia caperata by stem tip cutting. Below are steps on how to propagate Peperomia caperata by stem tip cutting:

1. Take a Stem Tip Cutting of Your Peperomia caperata (include a node)

Pick a stem with a node. Cut below the node.

2. Place Your Peperomia caperata Stem in a Jar of Water

Place the Peperomia caperata stem into a jar of water and wait for it to grow roots. To help it focus its energy on growing roots, make sure your stem has a maximum of 2 leaves. Cut off extra leaves as needed.

Another way to stimulate root growth is to dip your stem cutting in root hormone and plant it in moist sand. I personally prefer the jar method so you can easily see the roots come out. Know that not all stem cuttings of Peperomia caperata will grow roots, so to be safe, cut a few stem cuttings so you will at least get one with roots.

3. Plant Peperomia caperata Stem Cutting in a New Pot

Once the roots grow, plant these stem cuttings into a new pot. Water the new plant immediately after planting. Then water every 2-3 days until the roots are established.

4. Place New Peperomia caperata in a Spot with Bright Indirect Sun

Place your new Peperomia caperata plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight. Don’t put it in direct sunlight.

Common Problems of Peperomia caperata Plant Care

The most common problems that affect Peperomia caperata are root rot, edema and mealy bugs.

Peperomia caperata Problem: Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves and Stems of your Peperomia caperata

Problem: There are fluffy white growths in between the leaves and stems of your Peperomia caperata. 

mealybugs
Mealybugs

Cause: Mealybugs are causing the fluffy white growth on your Peperomia caperata. It is a common houseplant disease. 

Solution: To get rid of mealybugs on your Peperomia caperata, wash your plant with water. You can also use soapy water. Spraying rubbing alcohol on affected areas can also get rid of mealybugs. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap are also effective in getting rid of mealybugs.

Check out our article on how to make your own homemade pesticides using baby shampoo: How to Make Horticultural Oil and How to Make Insecticidal Soap

Peperomia caperata Problem: Your Peperomia caperata Looks Wilted (Soil is Wet)

Problem: Your Peperomia caperata looks wilted even if the soil is wet. Check for root rot by pulling the plant out and examining the roots. If the roots of your Peperomia caperata plant look mushy (healthy roots are firm) and the roots are gray to black in color, these are telltale signs of root rot. 

root rot
Root Rot

Cause: Root rot is caused by fungus and is a serious problem for your Peperomia caperata. Root rot is a result of wet soil due to overwatering or poor drainage. 

Solution: When your Peperomia caperata is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Your best course of action is to throw your Peperomia caperata out and start over with a new plant. This time don’t overwater your Peperomia caperata and make sure there is good drainage in the pot.

Peperomia caperata Problem: There are Small Brown Bumps on the Leaves of Your Peperomia caperata

Problem: There are many small brown bumps on the leaves of your Peperomia caperata. These brown bumps can’t be picked off the leaves. 

Cause: Your Peperomia caperata has developed Edema. These small brown bumps are growth on the leaves that is a result of overwatering. 

Solution: Reduce watering frequency on your Peperomia caperata. Make sure there is sufficient drainage so your Peperomia caperata does not sit on soggy soil. 

Cleaning Peperomia caperata Houseplant

What’s the best way to clean the leaves of your Peperomia caperata?

Dust accumulates on your Peperomia caperata leaves overtime. The layer of dust decreases the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Periodically wiping down the leaves of your Peperomia caperata with a damp cloth will help keep your plant healthy. You can also use a duster or dry duster cloth to wipe off the layer of dust on leaves.   

You May Also Be Interested In:

How to Take Care of Haworthia (infograph)

How to take Care of Ponytail Palm (Infograph)

How to take Care of Swiss Cheese Plant (Infograph)