If you’re into ornamental houseplants, chances are that you’ve heard of Peperomia. This impressive genus is known for its beautiful succulent leaves and hardiness as well as its huge abundance of varieties and types.
If you’re planning to decorate your house with this beautiful plant and don’t know which type to go for, this article will have you covered!
Today, we’ll walk you through some of the most beautiful and impressive Peperomia varieties, so you can pick the ones that suit your style the best!
About Peperomia Plants
The Peperomia plant is a huge genus of the plant family “Piperaceae”, which is represented by two genera, the other being the “pipers”.
Peperomia plants occur naturally in almost all tropical regions in the world as well as most subtropical regions.
The plant is most commonly found naturally in Central America, the Caribbean as well as the northern part of South America. However, there are various Peperomia varieties in various regions of Southern Asia as well as Oceania and Africa.
The plant is known for its relatively fleshy leaves and thick stems. However, when it comes to looks the leaves can vary in texture as well as color and patterns.
With that said, many of the plant varieties are quite slow growing while being very easy to care for and can be enjoyed almost all year long!
How Many Varieties of Peperomia Are There?
As previously mentioned, Peperomia exists almost everywhere where the conditions are suitable for its growth. As a result, there are tons of varieties out there of the same plant.
In fact, it is estimated that Peperomia has at least 1,000 species all over the world while some other estimates believe that the genus can include anywhere between 1,500 and 1,700 different species.
One of the reasons that make it very difficult to estimate the actual number of varieties of Peperomia is that the plant is given many different names due to its abundance all over the world.
In fact, one report states that there are around 3,000 names used in publications to describe the peperomia plant species! Not only that, but new species are being discovered in the wild to this day, so the number of species is continuing to grow!
Although many varieties of the peperomia plant are somewhat similar to each other, some varieties can be so different that you may not even realize they both belong to the same genus!
This is because different varieties in different regions have gone through various changes to adapt to their environments, which led to altering their appearance.
Today, Peperomia exists in varieties with leaves and stems that vary in texture, size, pattern, colors, and more!
Top 30 Peperomia Varieties You Should Keep in Mind
Now that you know that Peperomia exists in tons of varieties, finding the ideal one for your needs might be a little tricky.
To help you pick the best Peperomia in terms of appearance and style, let’s have a look at some of the most impressive Peperomia variants that you can find out there:
1 – Peperomia Quadrangularis
Kicking off the list with one of the most iconic Peperomia plants out there. This one is also known as “Beetle Peperomia” or “Peperomia Angulata”.
It features reddish stems with oval, dark green leaves that are relatively succulent with a few stripes of faint green running vertically across the leaves.
The plant grows to about 8 to 12 inches and the roots are quite limited, making it ideal for small pots.
It requires relatively mild lighting and peat-based, well-draining soil to thrive. Besides rocking an amazing look, the plant is very easy to find and comes at a relatively affordable price.
2 – Peperomia Argyreia
This one is commonly known as “watermelon Peperomia” because it features a striped pattern similar to the rind of a watermelon. It exists in micro varieties that can grow anywhere between 6 to 12 inches.
The plant is remarkably hardy, so it can be grown both indoors and outdoors in relatively warm weather but with indirect sunlight.
Similar to the Peperomia Quadrangularis, this one is widely popular and readily available, so you won’t have a hard time finding one. However, it’s highly sensitive to overwatering, which requires extra caution.
3 – Peperomia Metallica (Columbiana)
Although the previously mentioned variation is quite glossy, this one is characterized by a remarkable sheen that earned it the name “Metallica”.
Peperomia Metallica has multiple variants, and the most popular one is the Columbiana, although the variety is generally harder to find than others.
The Columbiana variety rocks extremely dark green leaves with a maroon underside and a silver stripe at the center.
It’s also perfect for undersized pots because it only grows to about 10 inches, and many variants are even limited to 8 inches.
4 – Peperomia Ferreyrae
Although most Peperomia varieties look somewhat different, the Ferreyrae really looks nothing like any other variety.
This one is commonly known as the “Happy Bean” and is native to the mountainous regions of Peru.
It’s characterized by its elongated, narrow leaves with slight curling. Many of the leaves originate from the same bud, which makes them look like star-shaped clusters.
This variety likes sunlight and doesn’t need excessive watering, so it’s very easy to maintain.
5 – Peperomia Verticillata
Many call this one the “belly button Peperomia” or “red log Peperomia”. The variety is known for its small, oval leaves that are dark green on one side and dark red on the other.
This variety is one of the largest Peperomias and can grow to about 3 feet, so its stem will start drooping as it grows. It will also develop a velvety fuzz on its surface that adds to its uniqueness and beauty!
The only downside of the Verticillata variety is that it’s highly sensitive to humidity, so you have to keep it around 40% and avoid overwatering it as much as possible.
6 – Peperomia Obtusifolia
The Peperomia obtusifolia is commonly known as the “Golden Gate Peperomia”. It’s characterized by its variegated style with yellowish margins around its margins, although some variants of the Obtusifolia are solid green.
The leaves of this plant are not as succulent as some other Peperomias, but they’re still quite dense when compared to regular leaves.
7 – Peperomia Serpens
The Peperomia Serpens is one of the varieties with vining features, as some of its cultivars are capable of growing as long as 24 inches.
The plant is characterized by its vibrant heart-shaped leaves and vining qualities that make it ideal for hanging planters, which makes it often confused with pothos.
In fact, some of its variants are even variegated with splashes of yellow, which makes them even more confused for one another.
But unlike pothos, the Serpens variety requires plenty of light and is remarkably sensitive to overwatering, making it a good alternative in rooms with well-lit rooms.
8 – Peperomia Griseoargentea
This one is an epiphyte Peperomia that is native to Brazil. It’s typically known as “Ivy Peperomia” or “Silver Leaf Peperomia”
The Griseoargentea variety is known for its glossy, heavily textured, succulent, heart-shaped leaves.
The name of the plant comes from the unique silvery gray coloration, although the plant is typically pink when it’s young and gets silvery gray as it matures.
9 – Peperomia Albovittata
Next up we have the Peperomia Albovittata, also known as “Peacock Peperomia”, which is extremely similar to the previously mentioned one.
Like the Griseoargentea, this one also features semi-succulent oval leaves with deep veins running longitudinally.
Yet, it’s relatively green with rosy hues and maroon stems. The plant comes in many cultivars but the “Piccolo Banda” is the most popular one out there.
10 – Peperomia Orba
This one is commonly known as “Teardrop Peperomia”, thanks to classic pointy oval waxy leaves. The variety comes in many cultivars that vary in foliage patterns and colors.
The plant leaves can be solid green, yellowish green, and yellow, in addition to variegated cultivars with golden yellow edges.
Mature Orbas will have a light silver stripe in the center, which forms white spikes as it grows.
It’s one of the easiest peperomia varieties to care for as it grows well with very little watering and thrives in moderate indirect light as long as it’s planted in well-drained soil.
11 – Peperomia Japonica
The Peperomia Japonica is another epiphyte that is originally native to Southeast Asia. The plant features oval semi-succulent leaves like other Peperomia varieties, but they’re much smaller than most of them.
What’s great about Peperomia Japonica is that it’s one of the easiest varieties to maintain, as it can tolerate higher levels of humidity (around 60%).
The plant grows well in small pots and terrariums, but make sure that it’s placed in the front so that it’s exposed to enough sunlight, which is essential for its growth.
12 – Peperomia Perciliata
If you’re looking for a Peperomia variety that is capable of producing flowers, you should consider the Perciliata.
The flowers of this variety are relatively tiny but they’re remarkably beautiful and are quite fragrant as well!
When it comes to leaves, this variety has a classic peperomia look with semi-succulent, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves and a reddish stem.
The plant is relatively finicky when it comes to lighting, as its color fades away when exposed to heavy light.
13 – Peperomia Caperata
The first thing that will catch your eyes when you look at the Peperomia Caperata is its astonishing texture and color.
The leaves are fairly succulent and deeply ridged. It exists in various cultivars, such as the “Emerald Ripple” which is solid green, and the “Pink Lady”, which has a blotched rosy pattern.
There’s also the highly trending “Luna Red”, which is a deep burgundy, although they can be a little pricey.
14 – Peperomia Graveolens
This variety is known as the “Ruby Glow”, which is derived from its ruby-red underside. The Graveolens feature remarkably succulent leaves that grow in clusters and extend to about 8 to 10 inches.
Luckily, this beautiful variety is one of the easiest to maintain because it tolerates a wide range of illumination intensity.
Despite its merits, it has a few drawbacks. Besides being rare to find, you still need to be careful not to overwater the plant. Additionally, it blooms flowers that have a relatively unpleasant scent.
15 – Peperomia Polybotrya
The Polybotrya variety originally grows in Peru and Columbia. It’s characterized by its somewhat cup-shaped leaves, hence the nickname “Raindrop Peperomia”, although it’s also called “ Coin Leaf Peperomia”.
The fairly glossy plant grows in the wild to around 16 inches. However, in moderate to low lights indoors, it usually caps out at around 10 to 12 inches.
16 – Peperomia Axillaris
This one is often confused with the Peperomia Ferreyrae because it also rocks the succulent bean pod-shaped leaves.
Yet, you can distinguish this one by being more folded on itself in addition to being much more succulent and glossier than its counterpart
The plant is usually a slow grower, and some variants may even stop growing at around 5 inches.
Although the plant is fairly easy to grow, it may require some trimming because it loses lower foliage as it continues to grow.
17 – Peperomia Rubella
The Peperomia Rubella is closely related to the Columbiana variety when it comes to looks. The variety is also characterized by its solid green succulent leaves with a red underside.
The leaves of the plant have a faint texturing. And the stems of the plant are also relatively thick and red-colored, which adds to its beauty.
As the plant grows, the fleshy leaves overweigh the stem, so it turns into a beautiful trailing plant. If you want to keep the plant upright, you’ll need to prune it as it grows.
18 – Peperomia Maculosa
The Peperomia Maculosa is one of the largest varieties of Peperomia when it comes to the size of the leaves, which are relatively succulent, solid green, and around 3 to 5 inches in length.
The plant is quite sensitive to water and thrives in medium to relatively bright sunlight, preferably indirect.
Like other Peperomias, this one needs well-drained soil with around 40 to 50% humidity. Although the plant is available in some areas, it’s not a highly common one, so it might take you a while to find some of its variants.
19 – Peperomia Tetragona
The Peperomia Tetragona is characterized by its standard-looking leaves that are shaped like an almond.
The most impressive feature of this plant variety is the alternating stripe pattern that it has. The top of the leaves is covered by thick dark green stripes and thin whitish ones.
Thanks to this unique pattern, the plant is commonly known as the “Parallel Peperomia”. The stem of the plant is usually tan-colored with hues of orange.
20 – Peperomia Ruby Cascade
As previously mentioned, there are some varieties of the Peperomia that double as a great hanging plant.
If you want to take your Peperomia hanging plant game to the next level, you should consider the “Ruby Cascade” variety.
This one combines elements from the Peperomia Serpens and the Peperomia Rubella. It has tiny rounded leaves that are green on one side and ruby red on the other.
It also has a maroon stem that adds to its unique looks and grows to around 10 to 12 inches.
21 – Peperomia Nivalis
The Peperomia Nivalis is another variety that is often associated with the Peperomia Ferreyrae, as it also rocks the same radiating cluster of folded fleshy dark olive leaves that grows to around 1 to 2 inches tall.
The original habitat of this plant is in the high altitudes of Peruvian mountains, so it’s quite sensitive to water but can handle relatively intense light well.
Technically speaking, this plant isn’t high maintenance, as you can simply allow it to grow. However, the true beauty of the Peperomia Nivalis requires consistent pruning to preserve its amazing look.
22 – Peperomia Incana
The Peperomia Incana, also known as “Peperomia Hovaria”, bears a striking resemblance to the Perciliata variety, as it also features fleshy rounded leaves of the same size.
What makes the Incana variety unique is its texture. While many of the Peperomia varieties are quite glossy and waxy, this one has a velvety texture that is very smooth to touch.
For maximum growth, leave the plant somewhere with plenty of bright sunlight behind lace window blinds, as direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
23 – Peperomia Antoniana
The Peperomia Antoniana is relatively rare but it makes up for this by being almost one of a kind!
While most Peperomia varieties are solid colored or variegated in a stripe pattern, this one is dappled and full of tiny silver speckles.
The leaves of the plant are quite fleshy and vary in color between light and dark green. The texture of the leaves is also quite fuzzy, but not as smooth as the Incana variety.
24 – Peperomia Elongata
As the name suggests, this variety features highly elongated almond-shaped leaves. In fact, it has one of the largest leaves among all Peperomia variants.
You can also identify this plant using its yellowish midrib in the center of the leaves that branch into smaller off-white veins.
While the leaves of this plant variety are succulent and glossy, the stem of the plant is covered with tiny hairs that make it quite velvety.
25 – Peperomia Pellucida
Although many Peperomia species are better grown indoors, some of them are hardy enough to handle outdoor conditions, such as the Peperomia Pellucida.
This one features a high abundance of medium-sized to relatively large leaves that are quite succulent, which gives the effect of a bush.
While it grows slowly, the Peperomia Pellucida is capable of outgrowing many Peperomia varieties with a maximum length of around 16 inches.
26 – Peperomia Trinervis
The Peperomia Trinervis is another interesting variety that has a lovely drooping effect that goes very well with hanging pots.
The plant has fleshy medium-sized leaves that are green with a faint white pattern of veins on top and maroon to ruby red undersides.
While most Peperomias are highly tolerant to neglect and underwatering, this one actually needs regular watering every 7 to 10 days.
27 – Peperomia Puteolata
The Peperomia Puteolata is originally native to South America and has fast-growing qualities, so they quickly start trailing if you don’t prune them consistently.
Similar to the Parallel Peperomia, this one has reddish stems and an alternating pattern of light and dark green stripes on the leaves that gives it a distinguished look
28 – Peperomia Columella
The Peperomia Columella is a rare plant variety that lives up to its name, as it grows vertically in the form of a tube or a column.
The plant has a set of overlapping, heart-shaped leaves that cover its sturdy stem, giving the upward growing effect.
Despite that, continuous growth will eventually cause the stem to trail, so you might want to prune the plant if you want to retain its original look.
29 – Peperomia Rugosa
The Peperomia Rugosa is a man-developed cultivar that is becoming widely available nowadays. The most iconic variant of the plant is called the “Aussie Gold”.
This one has leaves that are greenish yellow to golden yellow coloration and decorated by deep red veins. However, there are solid green variations of the same species.
30 – Peperomia Hutchisonii
The Peperomia Hutchisonii is native to Peru and is easily identified thanks to its quite bizarre looks.
The leaves of the plant are succulent and folded in a star-shaped cluster, which looks like corals or a bunch of neatly stacked clams!
Final Thoughts
This wraps it up for today’s guide that walks you through 30 of the most spectacular Peperomia varieties out there.
As you can see, the radiator plant offers a wonderful collection of variants that are both stunningly beautiful and very easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for beginners as well as experienced indoor plant growers!
Peperomia plants don’t only vary dramatically in appearance, but also in maintenance. While most of them are generally easy to care for, they may require specific conditions based on their original habitat.
For that reason, you should always research your favorite Peperomia variety independently to keep the plant in the best shape!
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.