Peperomia sp Zamora

This is a fantastic, micro-miniature plant from Zamora, Ecuador.

The plant grows in a rosette shape, with leaves that are roundly-cordate (softly heart-shaped), rugulose (wrinkled), sometimes crassulate (thick and succulent), semi-peltate (petiole attached underneath the leaf instead of at the margin), with a stunning reticulate pattern, and colors ranging from yellowish green to dark green, with a bronzy overtone.

The petioles (leaf stem) are light green, with subtle pinkish-maroon streaks.

This species has been very challenging to grow. It is inconsistent and finicky, sometimes doing quite well, and sometimes suddenly melting or stalling for no apparent reason.

I’ve found it does best when watered sparingly and the substrate is allowed to almost dry out. The foliage, and especially petioles and crown, should not get wet, as this seems to be one cause of melting. A pro-tip for watering small plants at the roots without getting the foliage wet is to use “wash bottles.” See the wash bottles I use on Amazon.

As might be expected with a plant that doesn’t like being too moist, it has done best with excellent drainage. I am using a substrate that is similar to African Violet mix, composed mostly of peat and perlite, but also with a tiny amount of shredded sphagnum to keep the humidity up and prevent it from drying out too quickly.

It also likes good ventilation. Stagnant air, especially combined with high moisture, is another condition which may cause spontaneous melting.

This plant can be propagated relatively easily from leaf cuttings. Simply cut a leaf off with as much of the petiole as you can, then lay it down on the substrate with the cut portion covered. Keep it lightly moist and give it some time. Sometimes the leaf cuttings will melt, but usually they will take.