Peperomia species and care
Peperomia is one of the two large genera of the family Piperaceae. Most of them are compact, small perennial epiphytes growing on rotten wood. More than 1500 species have been recorded, occurring in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world, though concentrated in Central America and northern South America.
Light
While the heartleaf prefers indirect sunlight, Peperomia will do just dandy in almost any lighting condition. Even areas of low light can be fine, though the leaves will spread more and the colors won’t be as vibrant or glossy.
Watering
Allow the top 2"- 3" of soil to dry out before watering. Try to keep the soil evenly moist. Over-watering, wet leaves, and soggy soil make a Peperomia plant susceptible to a variety of serious fungal infections. Check the soil frequently until you are sure of the plant’s watering needs. Peperomia Ferreyrae requires less water during the winter when it’s dormant.
Soil
Peperomia Ferreyrae prefers lightweight, permeable and nutritious soil. The important thing is that the soil doesn’t have the disposition to condense or dries out quickly. Cheap garden soil sadly does have the tendency to dry out quite quickly. More high-quality soil is the better choice, which can be enriched with composing or rotten leaves. You can also use garden soil enriched with coconut fibers and flower soil.
Humidity
They like humidity, so you might maintain the humidity around them with a pebble tray of water. Mist them frequently during the growing season, about every two days. During the winter you should mist them every three to four days.
Temperature
Peperomia plants prefer warm temperatures between 60°-80°F (15.6°-26.7°C). These plants become dormant with prolonged exposure to temperatures below 60°F (15.6°C) and may drop all of their leaves. Be sure to keep a Peperomia plant away from air conditioners and cold drafts. During warm summer months, this plant can produce a new leaf every week, and each new leaf maybe twice the size of the previous leaf.
Fertilizing
A weak all purpose feed once a month is more than sufficient. Don’t bother in Winter unless the plant is still actively growing, i.e. new leaves are appearing. Definitely do not feed if your Peperomia Ferreyrae enters a die back type of dormancy (see Anything else below).
