Peperomia ‘Sunrise’

Selection history of Peperomia ‘Sunrise’

Obed Jacob Smit developed ‘Sunrise’ in Sappemeer, the Netherlands, from seed produced by self-pollinating an unnamed Peperomia hybrid in 2013. He selected the cultivar in 2014 for its grey-green foliage, pink-red lower surface and compact rosette habit.

The parent plant was itself an unnamed Peperomia hybrid, so the species in its hybrid ancestry are still uncertain.

Caring for Peperomia ‘Sunrise’ indoors

• Light: Keep ‘Sunrise’ in bright indirect light so the rosette remains dense and its grey-green and pink-red contrast stays clear. Strong direct sun can scorch the glossy leaf faces.
• Watering: Wait for the upper potting mix to dry and for the container to feel lighter. Then water thoroughly, let it drain completely and avoid frequent small amounts that keep the mix around the roots constantly damp.
• Humidity: Normal to moderate room humidity suits ‘Sunrise’. Keep good airflow around the plant.
• Potting mix: Use a free-draining mix with bark plus perlite or pumice so the roots have both moisture and air.
• Temperature: A warm indoor range of about 18–30 °C suits ‘Sunrise’. Protect it from cold draughts and sudden drops in temperature.
• Feeding: While fresh leaves and flower spikes are developing, use half-strength balanced liquid fertiliser about every two weeks. Feed less often as growth slows.
• Repotting: Repot when the roots fill the pot or begin to show through the drainage holes. Only a small step up in pot size is needed.
• Grooming: Remove damaged leaves and spent flower spikes at the base. Its compact rosette needs little pruning.

How to solve common Peperomia ‘Sunrise’ problems

• Yellow leaves, soft leaf stalks or sudden collapse: Check whether the mix has remained wet for too long. Inspect the roots and short stem bases, remove rot with clean, disinfected tools and discard the rotten parts. Repot only the healthy parts of the plant in fresh, airy mix. See our root rot guide.
• Pale, dry scars form on the grey-green leaf faces: Strong direct sun can scorch the glossy leaf surface. Use bright filtered light instead and increase the light gradually after moving the plant.
• The short-stemmed rosette starts stretching and losing density: Move it closer to bright indirect light in stages so new growth stays compact.
• Brown tips while the rest of the plant remains firm: Inconsistent watering, accumulated fertiliser salts or fluoride in tap water can contribute. Keep watering more even, avoid overfeeding and try rainwater or filtered water if the problem continues.
• White cottony material around leaf bases or flower stalks: Inspect for mealybugs. Isolate the plant, remove visible pests and repeat a suitable labelled treatment at the interval specified on the product label until no new insects are found. Our mealybug guide covers the full check.

Peperomia ‘Sunrise’ 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 the name Peperomia came about

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.