Peperomia caperata 'Caracas'

Danish Breeding Behind ‘Caracas’

‘Caracas’ came from the Tingdal by Lundager Peperomia breeding programme in Denmark.

Its species, Peperomia caperata, comes from the wet tropical regions of southeastern Brazil.

Growing a foliage plant indoors

• Water: Wait until the upper layer has dried and the container feels lighter, then water the whole root ball. Let it drain and keep the centre of the rosette free of standing water.
• Light: Give Peperomia ‘Caracas’ bright light filtered from strong direct sun. Soft early or late rays are normally suitable after the plant has adjusted.
• Temperature and humidity: Provide steady indoor warmth and protect it from chilling temperatures. Average indoor humidity is sufficient; dense leaves benefit from normal air circulation.
• Feeding: Feed at low strength while fresh leaves and flower spikes are developing. Pause when active growth stops.

Common Problems with Peperomia caperata ‘Caracas’

• A mushy centre releases its leaves: Rapid wet-looking collapse means the crown and fine roots are failing rather than simply thirsty. Stop watering, remove fully softened tissue and old saturated mix, and retain only a firm crown section with sound roots in a small airy pot.
• Crisp edges with a very light pot: Rehydrate the entire root ball and let it drain. Severely dried leaves will not refill, but healthy roots can support new growth from the centre.
• Blistered or corky surfaces: Separate bumps often indicate oedema. It can develop when wet roots take up too much water during cool conditions with little airflow. Improve drying, warmth and air movement. Use a hand lens to rule out scale insects and mites hidden by the rippled surface.
• Tan or bleached patches: Check the side facing strong sun or hot glass, as well as recent spray use. Damage from sun, heat or spray is permanent but should stop expanding once the cause is removed.
• Vein clearing, rings or repeated distortion: Inspect the newest leaves, grooves and flower spikes for thrips, black specks and feeding scars. If no pest is found and the pattern repeats, keep the foliage dry, improve gentle airflow and remove only leaves whose damage is still spreading.
• Pale stippling or twisted leaves: Examine the grooves, crown and flower spikes for mites and thrips. Identify the pest before treatment, since mites may require magnification and do not respond to every product used for insects.
• Small flies around the pot: Search the moist mix for translucent, black-headed fungus-gnat larvae. Adults alone do not prove root damage. Reduce surface moisture; sticky traps catch adults, while beneficial nematodes or an indoor-use treatment for fungus-gnat larvae can treat a confirmed infestation.

Peperomia caperata ‘Caracas’ 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.

How did Peperomia caperata get its name?

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.