Scientific Name
Peperomia fraseri C. DC.
Common Name(s)
Flowering Peperomia
Synonym(s)
Peperomia resedaeflora, Peperomia resediflora, Peperomia treleasei, Trigonanthera resediflora
Scientific Classification
Family: Piperaceae
Subfamily: Piperoideae
Genus: Peperomia
Flower
Color: White
Bloom Time: Summer
Description
Peperomia fraseri is a unique plant because of its distinct white flower spikes. It has upright stems that bear large, glossy green, rounded to heart-shaped leaves with incised venation. The inflorescence consists of a 2 feet (60 cm) long, reddish, branching peduncle topped with slightly fragrant white bottle-brush flowers.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
This plant is well suited for planting in containers or hanging baskets. Drainage is critical, so make sure the container has a drainage hole in the bottom. Peperomia grows in any good-quality, regular commercial potting soil or a homemade mixture containing ingredients such as compost, loam, or peat moss. A handful of sand or vermiculite promotes drainage.
Watermelon Peperomia thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Although most Peperomia types thrive in bright light, too much light fades the bright colors of the variegated foliage. Indoors, a window with an eastern exposure provides excellent light. Outdoors, grow the plant in light shade or filtered light.
Water the plant deeply when the top of the soil feels slightly dry. Let the pot drain completely, and never allow the plant to stand in water. Check outdoor plants daily during warm weather. In fall and winter, water sparingly and allow more time between each watering, so the soil has time to dry a bit more than usual. If the air is dry in summer, increase humidity by setting the container on a humidity tray.
See more at How to Grow and Care for a Watermelon Peperomia.
Origin
This species is native to the rainforests of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Links
- Back to genus Peperomia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
Advertisements