30 Types of Peperomia Varieties - The Green Thumbler

With many types of Peperomia Varieties available the choice can be hard. Peperomia are often called “radiator plants” because of their love of warm air. While peperomia have dense leaves that retain water and survive with little fuss, they are not all succulents. Most varieties of peperomia require more water than succulents, while others are considered “semi-succulent,” and grow well alongside cacti in the wild.

There are more than 1,300 species of peperomia, both annuals, and perennials. While some types of peperomia are entirely unique, others have been bred into hybrid subspecies. Peperomia come in a variety of colors, textures, shapes, and sizes. They are easy to care for, even if you don’t have a green thumb.

Peperomia grow in semi-vining or trailing varieties, tall, semi-upright forms with bright rosettes, and short bushes. Peperomia have lost some of their popularity over the years, leaving them an affordable alternative to other low-maintenance plants. Some peperomia are common and easy for you to find, while others are more rare, and some are even listed as endangered.

Common Peperomia with Multiple Hybrids

1. Peperomia Caperata or Ripple Caperata

Peperomia Caperata or Ripple Caperata is a rosette-forming, flowering perennial that has heart-shaped, rippled leaves. They are evergreen, though varieties vary in color from green to red, and deep burgundy to light pink. The Ripple Caperata is native to Brazil. You can easily grow Ripple Caperata indoors year-round in loose, well-draining, sandy, and peaty soil. Hybrids, sports, and subspecies of Peperomia Caperata include:

Peperomia Caperata Rosso – The foliage has red undersides and grows in a rosette.
Peperomia Caperata Frost – The leaves are a frosty green color with deep ripples.
Red Ripple Peperomia – The foliage is deep red and highly textured.
Peperomia Silver Ripple – Each leaf is a silvery color with deep green veins.
Peperomia Napoli Nights – The foliage is a dark, silvery color.
Peperomia Moonlight – The leaves are metallic green and with a silvery sheen.
Peperomia Pink Lady – The foliage is either fully pink or has blush edges on a deep green leaf.
Peperomia Caperata Schumi Red – The leaves are a deep, reddish-purple color.
Peperomia Caperata Emerald Ripple Red – While some of the leaves are emerald green, others are a purple-red color. This hybrid also has distinctive, deep ripples.
Peperomia Caperata Luna Red – The foliage has deep ridges and are a silver-green with a purple-red overlay. This hybrid also has distinctive red stems.

2. Peperomia Verticillata

Peperomia Verticillata is native to Bolivia, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. It’s an evergreen perennial that grows best in sandy loam soil. This small, bushy peperomia also buds spiked, greenish-white flowers. The leaves of Peperomia Verticillata are fuzzy to the touch, and they have red-colored stems. There are two major varieties of Peperomia Verticillata:

Red Log – The leaves on Red Log peperomia are red on the underside and green on the top.

Belly Button -The leaves are green all over but may have a flush of pink on the outer edges.

Common Peperomia

3. Peperomia Dolabriformis or Prayer Pepper

Peperomia Dolabriformis or Prayer Pepper is an annual that is also considered a succulent. It is native to the high country of Peru. It has pocket-shaped or hot pepper-shaped light green leaves. Prayer Pepper grows up to 2 feet in height. It is an upright, shrub-like variety of peperomia. You will notice them growing taller and fanning out, rather than climbing or falling.

4. Peperomia Obtusifolia or Baby Rubber Plant

Baby Rubber Plant is native to Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean. This popular variety has dark green leaves and can grow to about a foot. Because it’s a trailing variety, it hangs beautifully in a hanging basket inside your home. The thick green leaves feel like a succulent, though it is not. However, like a succulent, Peperomia Obusifolia can tolerate a bit of neglect.

5. Peperomia Hoffmannii

Peperomia Hoffmannii is a tiny trailing species of peperomia native to Central and South America, specifically Costa Rica, Panama, and Columbia. Its leaves are tiny, thick, succulent ovals. They are light green and trail along the soil surface in the wild or in your favorite pot. It makes a perfect small creeper for a terrarium and will hang over a small hanging container beautifully. An adult plant can grow to 40 inches in length and nearly 16 inches in width.

6. Peperomia Polybotrya or Raindrop Peperomia

Raindrop Peperomia is a perennial native to the tropical forests of South America, so you will need to keep it in warm humid conditions. Its long branches grow upward, generally reaching less than a foot in length. However, in the right conditions, a Raindrop Peperomia can grow up to 18 inches in length. and has wide, teardrop-shaped blue-green leaves that cup in the center.

7. Peperomia Serpens or Vining Peperomia

Though Peperomia Serpens isn’t a succulent, it has succulent-like leaves that retain moisture. It’s a vining variety native to Central America and South America. Vining peperomia makes an excellent hanging plant for your home. Its branches can grow from 1 foot to 2 feet across. Some hybrids have white margins on the heart-shaped leaves, though most have froggy green foliage with pale green stems.

8. Peperomia Orna or Teardrop Peperomia

Teardrop Peperomia is an easy-to-grow tropical houseplant native to Columbia and Peru. Its leaves are teardrop-shaped, and they hang elegantly from a hanging planter. Teardrop Peperomia grows to be about 4-6 inches high and has a spread of about 6 inches. Teardrop Peperomia is primarily grown for its shiny, grayish-green foliage. When you touch the leaves, they may feel slightly furry. Teardrop Peperomia is a small, bushy, upright succulent that will eventually sag and trail.

9. Peperomia Verschaffeltii or Dwarf Watermelon

While Peperomia Verschaffeltii is similar to Peperomia Argyreia, its sparkly silver-striped leaves have slightly different hues. It also has thinner foliage. Unsurprisingly, it is also smaller than Watermelon Peperomia, growing to about 6 inches in height and about 6 inches in width. Peperomia Verschaffeltii is native to tropical regions of South America. You will need to pay closer attention to care with Dwarf Watermelon Peperomia since it is a more finicky houseplant than Watermelon Peperomia, needing a bit more feeding and care. Another name for this variety is Sweetheart Peperomia.

10. Peperomia Scandens or Cupid Peperomia

Cupid Peperomia is a soft green trailing peperomia variety. Its heart-shaped variegated leaves are green and yellowish-cream. In nature, Cupid Peperomia grows along tall trees, so it will enjoy living in your favorite hanging planter. It is semi-succulent and needs to be kept moist but not wet. Cupid Peperomia is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Its stems can grow 24-36 inches long.

11. Peperomia Nivalis

Peperomia Nivalis is a perennial native to the dry regions of Peru. It’s a climbing succulent, small in size, growing to about 4 inches long at maturity. It produces fleshy stems with dark green oval leaves. The leaves are also thick and fleshy, and you’ll notice they like a succulent to the touch, though this variety is considered semi-succulent.

12. Peperomia Pellucida or Shiny Bush

Peperomia Pellucida is an annual, shallow-rooted bushy peperomia growing to a height anywhere from 6-18 inches. It is characterized by succulent stems and it’s signature shiny, heart-shaped, fleshy leaves. Shiny Bush is native to the tropical regions of Asia and South America, and it’s been used in medicines by native tribes for centuries. It has been thought to treat abdominal pain, abscesses, acne, boils, colic, fatigue, gout, headache, renal disorders, and rheumatic joint pain.

13. Peperomia Griseoargentea or Ivy Peperomia

Ivy Peperomia is a perennial native to Brazil. Though it initially grows erect, it can trail off at maturity. Its silvery, heart-shaped, broad leaves grow to about 1½ inches while its branches can reach 20 inches long. The semi-succulent leaves are corrugated and darker colored at the base than the tip.

Ivy Peperomia has a leaf-stalk that is red or pink, and it can grow white flowers with spikes, and you may see them bloom during summer and early autumn.

14. Peperomia Rotundifolia or Trailing Jade

Peperomia Rotundifolia is an evergreen perennial with small green leaves that is indigenous to the tropical rainforests of South America. Other common names for Peperomia Rotundifolia are jade necklace, trailing jade, creeping buttons, and round leaf Peperomia. Trailing Jade falls somewhere between trailing and vining, and it will grow beautifully, up to a foot in length, in your hanging planter.

Rare Peperomia

15. Peperomia Incana or Felted Peperomia

Felted Peperomia is native to Brazil, and it is named after the soft appearance of its leaves. Its heart-shaped foliage is covered in small white hairs meant to protect itself from the burning sun during a drought. You will find that Felted Peperomia can survive a variety of growing conditions and even a little neglect. Most Felted Peperomia grow from 6-12 inches tall. Bushy and semi-upright, Peperomia Incana grows best inside your well-draining pots or hanging planters in warm, semi-humid to humid conditions.

16. Peperomia Tetraphylla or Hope Peperomia

The Hope Peperomia is a hybrid, and therefore it is not indigenous to any area. Its parent plants are both native to tropical regions of South America. It’s a trailing, succulent variety that will grow nicely in your favorite hanging planters. Its foliage looks like a four-leaf clover with subtle stripes, and it can grow anywhere from 6-20 inches in length.

17. Peperomia Japonica

Peperomia Japonica is a perennial known for its petal-like texture and coin-sized, bright green leaves. Its stems vary in color from green to red to pale pink. Peperomia Japonica is a miniature vining variety, perfect for terrarium enthusiasts. You can grow Peperomia Japonica to about 4–6 inches tall before it starts trailing. Then its vines grow tightly together, giving it a bushy look. Though it is not a succulent, it is low maintenance and very versatile. Peperomia Japonica grows well indoors in warm, moderate moist conditions. It’s native to tropical areas of Southeast Asia including China, Japan, and Taiwan.

18. Peperomia Prostrata or String of Turtles

A String of Turtles is a tiny succulent-like peperomia native to Brazil. It thrives in a climate that is warm and moderately moist. A String of Turtles is durable and perfect for beginners. The height of the plant is approximately 1 inch to 4 inches at maturity, and its width is approximately 4 inches. This vining variety may form a thick mass along the sides of a pot, and it grows beautifully cascading over the sides of your hanging container. Its green leaves white veins are patterned like turtle shells.

19. Peperomia Asperula

Peperomia Asperula is a shrub-like variety that can grow up to 12 inches in length. It is considered a succulent, and it’s native to the dry regions of Peru. This perennial grows tall, with glossy green leaves that are folded, giving it a unique appearance. The upward pattern of the leaves is star-shaped, and it grows well in dry conditions and loose soil near cacti.

20. Peperomia Argyreia or Watermelon Peperomia

Watermelon Peperomia is as popular as it is rare. You may have trouble finding this stunning plant in stores, but they are fairly available online. The foliage on the Peperomia Argyreia is rounded and fleshy, patterned with dark green and silver markings that look like a watermelon’s rind. It is native to Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Watermelon Peperomia can grow up to 12 inches tall and is a tall, semi-upright variety.

21. Peperomia Bamboo Stalks

Bamboo Stalks are another rare but sought-after peperomia. Its small, stubby leaves grow on tall, semi-upright stalks with long stems. This tiny species only grows to about 8 inches. It is another peperomia that you can enjoy in a terrarium, or as a nice addition to a fairy garden. Bamboo Stalks are easy to grow and care for. Their native habitat is the Amazon Rainforest.

22. Peperomia Rubella or Itsy Bitsy Peperomia

Itsy Bitsy Peperomia is another rare, miniature variety. Native to Jamaica, this vining peperomia has lush green leaves with red undersides. It generally reaches a height of 4-6 inches and a width of 6-12 inches. They grow well in terrariums or hanging planters. While Itsy Bitsy begins bushy, your humidity-loving plant will eventually fall and vine.

23. Peperomia Clusiifolia or Peperomia Ginny

Peperomia clusiifolia is a succulent native to southern Florida and parts of Central America. It can grow to 6 inches when it reaches maturity, and the long vines can trail up to 10 feet. Ideally, you should plant it in a hanging basket. You might find the Peperomia Clusiifolia being sold under the names “Peperomia Tricolor” or “Ginny Peperomia”. It has floppy, elongated, wavy, and variegated leaves with red edges.

24. Peperomia Monticola

Peperomia Monticola is an upright perennial that grows up to 4-8 inches. It can be found in the wild growing in the mountains of Mexico. This rare peperomia grows best in warm, tropical conditions. It has long stems with perfectly round, dark green leaves. Peperomia Monticola is a miniature variety, growing to only about 5 inches in length. You will notice mouse tail-like flowers with little, fleshy petals when it blooms.

25. Peperomia Caespitosa

Peperomia Caespitosa is a miniature variety with native habitats in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. It has round, spotted spiky leaves that grow upward then trail. The very small foliage is tinier than a coin. You will be lucky if you find the spotted variety, as that form of Peperomia Caespitosa is extremely rare. The foliage is maroon and green with red stems.

26. Peperomia Hutchisonii

Peperomia Hutchisonii is another extremely rare peperomia, natvie to the mountains of Peru. The thick, olive green, and heavily textured leaves look like oyster shells or tacos. They are found in hot, dry areas growing alongside cacti. It’s an upright growing peperomia, though its thick leaves touch the dirt where it grows in the wild, and it may do the same in a pot in your home.

27. Peperomia Eburnea

Peperomia Eburnea is a rare Ecuadorian native plant with stunning, velvety green leaves that are long, pointed, and smooth like a miniature philodendron. Peperomia Eburnea is a vining variety with subtle stripes on its foliage. It will do well in your terrarium, and it enjoys moist, mossy soil. This tiny variety grows best in warm, humid conditions.

Endangered Peperomia

28. Peperomia Paradoxa

Peperomia Paradoxa is native to Ecuador. It has spade-shaped green leaves with reddish veins growing on red stems. It grows upward, sprouting leaves on each side as it grows. This peperomia is rarely seen, and there is no record of it currently being propagated. Peperomia Paradoxa was only recognized a few years ago as a separate species of peperomia. Few exist in the wild.

29. Peperomia Columella

Peperomia Columella is sought-after by plant lovers but is endangered in the wild. It has upright but slightly floppy stems that grow small, thick, alternating leaves up a column. Occasionally, this deep green peperomia flowers with stalks that look like empty corn cobs. Peperomia Columella originates from the desert of Peru and other areas of South America. This plant is a beautiful species that grows on steep cliffs. This species is also known as Columnar Peperomia or Pearly Peperomia.

30. Peperomia Fagerlindii or Creeping Hearts

Peperomia Fagerlindii, otherwise known as Creeping Hearts, has small bead-like leaves. It’s a vining variety with purple stems and green leaves that make a striking combination. This variety is similar to a succulent but needs higher humidity levels to thrive. Like many other Peperomias, this one also comes from coastal areas of Ecuador. If you are able to find Peperomia Fagerlindii, consider yourself lucky.