Peperomia caperata ‘Amazonas’

Background of ‘Amazonas’

‘Amazonas’ is a cultivated form of Peperomia caperata. Peperomia caperata is native to south-eastern Brazil and grows in wet tropical habitat.

Plant care for ‘Amazonas’

• Humidity: Moderate indoor humidity is enough for healthy foliage. Keep gentle air movement around the dense centre and keep the folded leaves dry after watering. If the room is very dry, use a humidifier.
• Watering: Water after the upper part of the mix has dried and the pot feels lighter. Water thoroughly and let all excess drain.
• Light: Use medium to bright indirect light. Strong sun can mark the leaves.
• Substrate: Use an airy, fast-draining mix with perlite, pumice or fine bark. It should hold some moisture and still drain quickly.
• Temperature: Aim for about 18–30 °C, with temperatures kept above roughly 10 °C. Protect the plant from cold draughts, especially while the roots are in moist substrate.
• Feeding: Feed lightly with a complete houseplant fertiliser while new leaves are growing. Reduce the frequency if growth slows.
• Repotting: Wait until the roots fill the pot, drainage has slowed or the substrate has become compacted. Move up only one pot size.

Problems to watch for with ‘Amazonas’

• Dark spots spread across several folded leaves: Check whether moisture is lingering in the folds or airflow around the centre is poor. Both can contribute to leaf spotting. Cut off badly affected leaves with clean, disinfected scissors, discard them, keep the foliage dry and improve airflow.
• Lower leaves yellow and collapse: Check whether the substrate has remained wet for too long. If roots are soft or decayed, cut away only damaged tissue with clean, disinfected tools, discard rotten material and contaminated mix, then repot in fresh airy substrate. See the root rot guide if decay is present.
• Window-facing leaves develop pale tan patches: One-sided patches near a bright window are usually heat or direct-sun damage. Move the plant farther from the glass while keeping the position bright.
• Fine pale speckles and webbing appear: Isolate the plant and inspect the undersides for spider mites. Rinse or wipe the leaves to remove as many mites as possible; if further treatment is needed, choose a product labelled for the pest on indoor ornamentals and repeat only as directed on its label.

Peperomia caperata ‘Amazonas’ is non-toxic to people and pets

• This plant is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
• Chewing a large amount can still cause an upset stomach.
• If a large amount is eaten and symptoms continue, contact a veterinarian or medical professional.

Who first published Peperomia caperata, and what does the name mean?

Peperomia combines Greek peperi, “pepper”, with homoios, “resembling”, and means “pepper-like”. Caperata comes from the Latin caperatus, meaning wrinkled or corrugated, and refers to the deeply folded leaf surface.

Hipólito Ruiz López and José Antonio Pavon established the genus Peperomia in 1794 in Flora Peruvianae et Chilensis Prodromus, page 8.

Truman George Yuncker first described Peperomia caperata in 1958 in Kew Bulletin, volume 12, page 421.