Part of the pepper family, Piperaceae, Peperomia caperata is one of over 1000 species in its genus. As an understorey or epiphytic plant in its native habitat of tropical Brazilian rainforests, it thrives in humidity and filtered light. When growing in drier conditions as an epiphyte, adaptations such as semi-succulent waxy leaves in a crinkled formation help to conserve water.
This wavy corrugated appearance of its foliage is what gives this Peperomia its species name "caperata", derived from Latin meaning "wrinkled", and a common name of "Ripple Peperomia".
Few plants can be propagated from leaf cuttings, but many succulents and semi-succulent-leaved plants such as this Peperomia are exceptions.
A new plant can be created by half covering a leaf with its petiole in potting media, placing somewhere warm in indirect light and misting regularly to keep the humidity high. If propagation is successful, the process of the plantlet and root development is fascinating to see.
The lovely textured foliage of this plant varies in hue from deep green to dark purple shades, sometimes displaying a metallic shimmer. When flowering, its inflorescences hover above the foliage on thin cream spikes with tiny understated flowers.
Ripple Peperomia can be seen growing as a ground cover in the winter garden glasshouse at the Dunedin Botanic Garden.
Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden
For further information contact Kat Lord
