Peperomia caperata is part of the Piperaceae family and it’s native range is Brazil. ‘Mendoza’ is a patented cultivar; it is a cross of Peperomia caperata ‘Teresa’ (unpatented) and Peperomia ‘Eden Rosso’. Leaves are semi-succulent and grey with green veins on the upper surface and red on the lower surface. These plants stay compact and produce a spike inflorescence.
Genus name comes from the Greek ‘peperi’ meaning pepper and ‘homoios’ meaning one with or the same as - this is in reference to how similar the plant looks to Piper nigrum (Black Pepper). Specific epithet is Latin, meaning ‘wrinkled.’
Pot: ø 11cm.
Height: Approximately 17cm from base of pot.
This plant fits in the planter Series ø 12cm (not included).
Light: Bright indirect light, meaning the plant sees the sun for 0-4 hours per day - this could be through trees or a translucent curtain, it’s important for the plant to see the sky in order to thrive.
Water: Allow the first 2-3 inches of mix to dry out. Peperomia are prone to stem rot so bottom watering is ideal. They have thick, fleshy leaves that hold on to water.
Potting mix: A well draining mix composed of coco coir, perlite or vermiculite, orchid bark and worm castings. Swapping orchid bark for horticultural sand would also work too.
Fertilising: Feed your plant every other watering during the growing season or when you observe active growth. You can dilute fertiliser to half the recommended amount but never add more.
Temperature: 15-22˚C.
Humidity: Peperomia prefer higher humidity but do well to adapt to average home humidity. You can increase humidity by placing the plant on a watered pebble tray, using a cloche or using a humidifier.
Peperomia are non-toxic.