Weston Logo

Peperomia: The Houseplant of 2022!

Peperomia: The Houseplant of 2022!

2022 sees the introduction of houseplants as a new plant category in the National Garden Bureau’s “Year of” series, with peperomia being chosen as the initial representative of this category. They are a collection of wonderful foliage plants that have been sold as houseplants since the 1930s according to the National Garden Bureau.

Peperomia are members of the family Piperaceae, and as such are distant cousins of the plant that gives us pepper spice, but they are not related to the plants that give us bell and chili peppers. Over 1500 species have been recorded, most of which are found in tropical regions, predominantly in Central and South America.

Here are a few more facts that illustrate the reasons behind their popularity as houseplants.

Their common name is radiator plants, a name coined by horticulturist Liberty Hyde Bailey. Noting that peperomia-like warmth and light, he felt they would feel right at home on a window sill above a radiator.

Most rarely grow more than a foot tall, meaning they don’t outgrow their space. Whether cascading, trailing, or upright, bushy types, you will not need to tame rampant vining stems or resort to drastic pruning with these plants.

They are quite happy in normal household lighting and humidity. While many come from tropical regions, they can cope with lower humidity and are quite tolerant of the average light levels that all but the brightest of southerly aspects offer. In fact, direct sunlight, even for the more succulent types, is not good for them.

They are undemanding in their care, and if you remember to allow the soil to dry between waterings you will have a healthy plant. Overwatering, where the soil remains constantly wet, is the way to create an unhappy peperomia.

They also have the benefit of being non-toxic to people and animals and are therefore excellent plants for vivariums, and the petite nature of many of them makes them good choices for terrariums too.

With their eye-catching foliage, they look attractive all year round. Their flower spikes are generally insignificant and somewhat uncharitably referred to as “rats’ tails”. However, Peperomia fraseri and P. perciliata are among a handful that offers attractive white, lightly scented flowers, but they are pretty much the exception to the rule.

The versatile and easy-going peperomia is, therefore, a worthy initial choice for the houseplant category, and with many new cultivars being raised, we will be spoiled for choice for plants to enhance our homes!

And finally, if you are wondering what the other 2022 “Year of” plants are, here they are:

Annual: verbena

Bulb: Gladiolus

Edible: Salad Greens

Flowering Shrub: Lilac

Perennial: Phlox


Sources: ngb.org

Share Via:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print
WESTON NURSERIES

Weston Nurseries is committed to being a center for horticultural knowledge. Enjoy!

SEARCH TOPICS
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
SHOP

Shops Trees, Shrubs, & Perennials – in stores and online.

EXPLORE MORE
PLANT CARE
SOCIAL
SEARCH BY MONTH
Archives
EVENTS & CLASSES

Online Shopping at Weston Nurseries

We are excited to offer two unique opportunities to shop online at Weston Nurseries.

Farm To Door™

WN Online Shopping icons_Ship to Door
Plants shipped directly to you!

Browse our online inventory for a huge selection of plants available to ship directly from the farm to your home! Anywhere in the Continental US except states where prohibited by law!*

Shop Our Garden Centers

WN Online Shopping icons-02
Great for large plants and larger orders!

Shop your local store for plants, garden supplies, soil, mulch and more. Then pick up your order at the garden center or arrange for local drop off!

If you are interested in ordering gift cards, please click here!
*Some restrictions may apply to certain states.

FLASH SALE

Memorial Day Weekend Flash Sale On Hydrangeas!

25% off all Hydrangeas this weekend only!

Saturday, May 25th – Monday, May 27th! 

Hydrangeas are a classic and beautiful sign of summer. Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend by sprucing up your yard with some new hydrangeas. Discount applies at all locations.

*Sale Fine Print:

For “Cash and Carry” transactions only. Offer good while supplies last.

No open orders or deliveries for future dates. All Flash Sale products must be taken the same day. Not valid on previous orders. No transfers allowed between stores on any sale items.

Skip to content