Baby Rubber Plant

Fact Sheet FPS-466
October, 1999
Peperomia obtusifolia1
Edward F. Gilman2
Introduction
Peperomia has round, smooth, dark green leaves and short, somewhat brittle stems, seldom growing taller than 12 inches (Fig. 1). Quickly growing into spreading clumps, Peperomia is ideal for tropical groundcover use, as well as container culture or raised planters. It also makes a durable houseplant and will cascade over the side of a hanging basket.
General Information
Scientific name: Peperomia obtusifolia Pronunciation: pep-per-ROE-mee-uh ob-too-siff-FOLE-leeuh Common name(s): Peperomia, Baby Rubber Plant Family: Piperaceae Plant type: perennial; herbaceous USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11 (Fig. 2) Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round Origin: not native to North America Uses: container or above-ground planter; mass planting; naturalizing; suitable for growing indoors; cascading down a wall Availablity: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
Figure 1. Peperomia.
Growth rate: moderate Texture: coarse Foliage Leaf arrangement: alternate Leaf type: simple Leaf margin: entire
Description
Height: .5 to 1 feet Spread: 1 to 2 feet Plant habit: spreading Plant density: open
1. 2.
This document is Fact Sheet FPS-466, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: October, 1999 Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. For information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences / University of Florida / Christine Taylor Waddill, Dean
Peperomia obtusifolia -- Peperomia
Page 2
Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Leaf shape: obovate Leaf venation: bowed Leaf type and persistence: evergreen Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches Leaf color: variegated Fall color: no fall color change Fall characteristic: not showy Flower Flower color: white Flower characteristic: flowers periodically throughout the year Fruit Fruit shape: oval Fruit length: less than .5 inch Fruit cover: fleshy Fruit color: brown Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy Trunk and Branches Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable Current year stem/twig color: reddish
Current year stem/twig thickness: very thick
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in the shade Soil tolerances: slightly alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam Drought tolerance: moderate Soil salt tolerances: poor Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable Winter interest: no special winter interest Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding Invasive potential: not known to be invasive Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
October 1999
Peperomia obtusifolia -- Peperomia
Page 3
Use and Management

Growing in partial to deep shade, Peperomia will thrive in moist, rich, organic soils or less fertile sandy soils. Although preferring high humidity, it must have well-drained conditions to avoid stem and root rot. Plant on 12 to 18-inch centers for quick establishment as a ground cover. It is best to err on the dry side when growing Peperomia. A few available cultivars include: Alba, young growth entirely white-yellow, marked with bright red; Albomarginata, grey-green leaves with silvery border; Albomarginata Minima, dwarf form of the preceding; `Minima, compact plant, leaves one to two inches long; and Variegata, grey-green blotched green leaves with a broad, creamy-white margin. Propagation is by cuttings which root easily or by division.
Peperomias main pest problem is mites. Pests and Diseases Peperomia is susceptible to stem and root rots and leaf spot diseases.
October 1999

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Fact Sheet FPS-466

Peperomia obtusifolia -- Peperomia

Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.

Current year stem/twig thickness: very thick

Peperomia obtusifolia -- Peperomia

Use and Management

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