Ripple Peperomia
A compact, desk-sized peperomia with deeply puckered, heart-shaped leaves in green, red, silver or near-black depending on the cultivar, and odd little green flower spikes. Pet-safe, happy in a north window, and forgiving if you water it less than you think.
The ripple peperomia is the one with the corrugated leaves. Each leaf is a small heart, puckered into deep ridges, held on a thin red stem in a neat mound about six inches high. Breeders have run riot with it, so it comes in emerald green, burgundy, silver-white and a bronze that changes colour through the day, all with the same care.
It flowers indoors, though you may not notice: thin green spikes like little rat tails that stand above the leaves. It stays small, lives happily on a desk or a north windowsill, and is safe for cats and dogs. The only way to lose one is to drown it.
Light
Medium to bright, indirect light. A north or east window is ideal; it also grows well under office lighting. Direct sun scorches the leaves and fades the colours. In low light it lives but stretches and the ripples flatten out.
Water
Let the top inch or two dry out, then water and drain. Every eight days or so in summer, every two weeks in winter. The semi-succulent leaves and stems store water, so lean dry. Overwatering shows fast as drooping, then rotting stems at the base. When in doubt, wait.
Soil and potting
A light, airy mix: potting soil with a third perlite or orchid bark. Small pot with drainage; the root system is tiny. Repot every two years or so, only when it is clearly root-bound, into a pot an inch larger.
Feeding
Half-strength balanced feed every six weeks in spring and summer. It needs very little.
Propagation
Leaf cuttings, which is unusual and fun. Cut a healthy leaf with an inch of stem, push the stem into damp mix, cover loosely, and a new plantlet forms at the base in six to ten weeks. Stem cuttings also work.
In a hot, dry home
Manageable. It likes about forty percent humidity and dislikes the direct blast of an AC vent, so keep it in a room where the air is still. The semi-succulent leaves cope with dry air better than a calathea would. Water when the top inch dries, which is sooner in July than in January.
Ripple Peperomia varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Rosso
Dark green, pointed leaves with deep red undersides. The most common form.
- Frost
Silvery-white leaves with dark green veins in the ripples.
- Ripple Red
Burgundy-red puckered leaves all over.
- Quito
Bronze, orange and green leaves that shift colour with the light.
- Emerald Ripple
The plain deep green form.
- Napoli Nights
Silver-grey leaves with dark veins and reddish undersides. A hybrid with the same care.
- Burbella
Small, dark red-brown rippled leaves. Compact.
- Pixie Lime
Small lime-green rippled leaves.
- Red Edge
Green rippled leaves with a red margin.
Problems and fixes
Drooping with wet soil
Likely cause: Overwatering; roots or stems rotting
Fix: Let it dry out fully; if stems are mushy, take leaf cuttings from healthy leaves.
Drooping with dry soil
Likely cause: Thirsty
Fix: Water thoroughly; it recovers overnight.
Leaves fading, colours dull
Likely cause: Too much sun
Fix: Move it back from the window.
Stretched, leggy growth
Likely cause: Too little light
Fix: Brighter spot; trim back to keep it compact.
Ripple Peperomia questions
Is ripple peperomia safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. All peperomias are non-toxic to pets.
What are the green spikes?
Flowers. Peperomia caperata blooms in thin green spikes that look like rat tails. Harmless; cut them off if you find them ugly.
How big does it get?
About eight inches tall and wide. It is a desk plant and stays one.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Watermelon Peperomia
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Weekly
- Pets
- Safe
Peperomia Ginny
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 10 days
- Pets
- Safe
