Peperomia ‘Santorini’

The breeding history of Peperomia ‘Santorini’

Breeding took place in Sappemeer, the Netherlands, where two caperata selections were crossed in 2017. ‘Santorini’ was chosen in 2018 for its grey-green upper surface, dark veins and bright red leaf backs.

In the wild, Peperomia caperata occurs in wet tropical southeastern Brazil. ‘Santorini’ is a modern cultivated selection of the species, distinguished by the strong contrast between its grey-green upper leaf surface and red underside, along with its compact rosette habit.

Keeping Peperomia ‘Santorini’ healthy

• Light: Strong filtered light supports both the compact rosette and the contrast between grey-green faces and red backs. Shield the raised, glossy surface from harsh direct sun that can leave bleached or dry scars.
• Watering: Let the upper mix dry and check that the pot feels lighter before watering deeply. Drain it well afterwards and let the potting mix around the short stem bases begin drying between waterings.
• Potting mix: Use a loose, fast-draining mix containing bark and perlite or pumice. The mix should drain well but still hold some moisture, then dry partly before the next watering.
• Humidity: Typical room humidity is adequate. Keep the deeply cupped rosette dry and provide normal airflow around the plant.
• Temperature: Maintain warm conditions around 18–30 °C and avoid cold draughts or abrupt temperature changes.
• Feeding: While new leaves are growing, give a half-strength dose of balanced liquid fertiliser about every two weeks. Feed less often once growth slows.
• Repotting: Repot when the roots are crowded or visible through the drainage holes. Move to a pot only slightly larger and retain a quick-draining mix.
• Grooming: Remove old or damaged leaves at their bases and cut away spent flower spikes after they decline. The compact rosette needs little pinching.

Common Peperomia ‘Santorini’ problems and solutions

• Soft central growth, yellow leaves or a collapsing crown: The roots and stem bases are probably staying too wet. Inspect the roots, cut out any rot with disinfected tools, discard all rotten parts and repot the healthy parts of the plant into fresh, airy mix. Follow our root rot guide if the base is affected.
• Raised grey-green leaf faces develop pale, dry marks: The textured foliage is receiving too much direct sun. Return it to bright filtered light and avoid a sudden increase in direct sun.
• The low rosette opens or leans strongly to one side: Light is either too weak or too one-sided. Give it a brighter indirect position and turn the pot periodically so new growth develops more evenly.
• Brown tips or edges appear while leaves remain firm: Brown tips or edges can develop from fluoride in tap water, fertiliser salt build-up or very dry air. Try filtered or rainwater, avoid overfeeding, keep watering consistent and allow the mix to begin drying between waterings.
• White cottony clusters hide in the cupped leaf bases: Inspect for mealybugs and isolate the plant. Remove visible pests and use a suitable labelled treatment, repeating it at the interval given on the product label. Our mealybug guide explains where else to check.

Peperomia ‘Santorini’ 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.