Peperomia ‘Mendoza’

Breeding and origin of Peperomia ‘Mendoza’

‘Mendoza’ was bred in Odense, Denmark, in 2015 from a cross between the caperata cultivar ‘Teresa’ and ‘Eden Rosso’. It was selected in 2016 for its grey leaves, green veins, red undersides and compact habit.

One parent, ‘Teresa’, is a cultivar of Peperomia caperata, a species native to wet tropical southeastern Brazil.

How to keep Peperomia ‘Mendoza’ healthy

• Light: Put ‘Mendoza’ where it receives plenty of filtered light; this keeps the mound tight and the green veins clear against the grey leaves. Harsh direct sun can leave dry, pale damage on the leaf faces.
• Watering: Let the upper part of the mix dry and wait until the pot feels lighter before watering. Soak the mix evenly, let it drain, and wait until it has partly dried again before watering.
• Potting mix: Use a loose houseplant mix with bark and perlite or pumice so plenty of air reaches the short stem bases.
• Temperature: A steady warm range of about 18–30 °C suits ‘Mendoza’; avoid cold draughts and sudden changes.
• Humidity: Average indoor humidity is generally sufficient when moisture is stable and air can move around the plant.
• Feeding: Feed with half-strength balanced fertiliser about every two weeks while new leaves are growing. When growth slows, reduce the feeding frequency.
• Repotting: Leave the plant in place until roots crowd the container or show through its drainage holes. Refresh the airy mix and move to a pot only slightly larger.
• Grooming: Cut away damaged leaves at the base and remove spent flower spikes once they decline. The low, compact growth needs little shaping.

Problems that may affect Peperomia ‘Mendoza’

• Soft yellow leaves and a loose or collapsing base: Excess moisture around the roots is the likely problem. Stop watering, inspect roots and stem bases, remove rotten tissue with clean, disinfected tools until only firm healthy tissue remains, discard the removed rot and repot the healthy parts. See our root rot guide if rot is already present.
• Pale dry scars interrupt the grey leaf faces: Direct light is probably too strong. Filter the strongest light or pull the plant back from hot glass; the marked tissue will stay damaged, while new leaves should grow normally once the light is corrected.
• New rosettes become more open and leaves sit farther apart: The plant needs a brighter filtered position. Increase light in stages and turn the container periodically if the growth is leaning strongly to one side.
• Leaf edges curl and leaves lose firmness: Check whether the mix has dried much farther than usual. Water if the potting mix is dry; if it is still wet, inspect the roots because damaged roots may not be able to take up enough water.
• White cottony clusters around leaf stalk bases: Treat these as possible mealybugs. Isolate the plant, remove visible insects and repeat a suitable labelled treatment at the product’s stated interval until the infestation is cleared. Our mealybug guide gives the full process.

Peperomia ‘Mendoza’ 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 get its name?

Peperomia combines Greek peperi, “pepper”, with homoios, “resembling”, and means “pepper-like”.

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