Peperomia ferreyrae 'Nevada' (Happy Bean)

Background of Peperomia ferreyrae 'Nevada'

Native to Peru, Peperomia ferreyrae belongs to a succulent Peperomia group that grows on the ground and on rocks in wet tropical environments.

The name 'Nevada' is widely used for this plant; Happy Bean is a common name for the species.

Caring for Peperomia ferreyrae 'Nevada'

• Light: A bright position with indirect light suits the upright growth best. Introduce direct sun gradually and keep strong midday exposure limited to protect the fleshy leaves.
• Watering: Wait until most of the mix is dry, then water thoroughly and let the pot drain. Its fleshy leaves tolerate a short dry spell.
• Potting mix: Use a loose, fast-draining mix with plenty of coarse or mineral material that still holds a little moisture after watering.
• Temperature: Keep temperatures warm and steady. Place it away from cold glass and chilly draughts, especially when the potting mix is still damp.
• Humidity: Ordinary indoor humidity suits Happy Bean well. Gentle air movement is useful around the dense branching growth.
• Feeding: While fresh shoots are forming, use a balanced houseplant fertiliser lightly and follow the product label.
• Support: The upright stems support themselves.
• Pruning: Shorten an older stem just above a node if the plant becomes uneven or taller than you want; the cut can encourage fresh branching below.
• Repotting: Keep it in a fairly small pot and move up only once roots have filled the container, drainage has deteriorated or the mix has lost its structure.
• Propagation: For propagation, take a healthy stem tip and set it into a small amount of airy potting mix. Keep it warm and lightly moist until roots and new growth are established.

Problems you may see with Peperomia ferreyrae 'Nevada'

• Stem base becomes soft or translucent: The potting mix is probably staying wet for too long. Unpot the plant, remove rotten tissue with a clean, disinfected tool, discard the removed rot and re-root firm healthy stems if the original roots are badly affected.
• Leaves become wrinkled or lose firmness: Check the pot before watering. A very dry mix means the plant is too dry; wet mix with limp or wrinkled leaves points instead to damaged roots that can no longer take up water.
• Stems become long and widely spaced: The plant is reaching for more light. Move it gradually to a brighter position and trim the weakest stretched growth if you want a denser shape.
• Pale, tan or dry patches appear on exposed leaves: Sudden intense sun, heat against glass or cold contact can damage the fleshy tissue. Move the plant away from the source. If you give it stronger light later, increase the exposure gradually.
• White cottony clusters appear between leaves: Check stem joints and leaf bases for mealybugs. Isolate the plant, remove visible insects and inspect it repeatedly; if treatment is needed, use a product labelled for the pest and indoor ornamental plants and repeat only at the label interval.

Peperomia ferreyrae ‘Happy Bean’ (‘Nevada’) 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.

Peperomia ferreyrae: name and meaning

Peperomia combines Greek peperi, “pepper”, with homoios, “resembling”, and means “pepper-like”. The species name ferreyrae honours Ramón Alejandro Ferreyra Huerta.

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 ferreyrae in 1956 in American Journal of Botany, volume 43, page 168.