Peperomias are tropical plants from the pepper family that are popular as indoor plants because they are easy to take care of and come in an almost endless array of varieties. There are more than 1,000 sub-species of this plant!
Today we are taking a look at Peperomia obtusifolia variegata, also known as the “baby rubber plant” which has large oval-shaped leaves with deep green centers and white or yellow markings that give it a marbled appearance.
Peperomia generally prefer medium to bright, indirect light, but they can tolerate low light relatively well. They can even flourish under florescent lights, which makes them popular office plants. Keep in mind, however, that if you have your Peperomia in a low-light situation, it will grow more slowly and will require less water. Low light can also mute the color contrast of the leaves.
You’ll want to let your Peperomia dry out between waterings, and you’ll want to err on the side of underwatering your plant. It’s a succulent and those beautiful leaves retain water, so it will survive a missed watering or two. But Peperomias are quite susceptible to root rot, so overwatering can be a problem.
Because of this tendency towards root rot, you’ll want to plant your Peperomia in a pot with good drainage and use a light, well-draining soil for your plant.