Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Lime’

A lime-edged form of Peperomia obtusifolia

Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Lime’ is a cultivated variegated form of Peperomia obtusifolia, selected for broad lime to yellow-green margins around darker green centres.

The species grows from Florida through tropical America, both on the forest floor and on trees in wet tropical vegetation.

Care for Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Lime’

Watch new shoots for repeatedly solid green leaves and remove a persistent reverted stem at its base before it outgrows the variegated branches. Use bright indirect light with gentle morning sun after acclimatisation, protecting the pale tissue from hot midday exposure.

• Water a small root ball thoroughly: Wait until the upper 3–5 cm has dried and the pot feels noticeably lighter. Use mostly bark, coco chips and pumice with just enough fine potting mix to retain a little moisture.
• Keep the branching growth balanced: Maintain 18–28 °C, turn the pot so all stems receive light and pinch tall stems above a leaf joint to encourage branching.

Use low-strength feed while new leaves are opening, then pause when active growth slows. Repot after roots circle the container and choose a new pot only slightly larger.

Our houseplant watering guide shows how to read pot weight beneath the thick leaves of ‘Lime’.

Troubleshooting Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Lime’

• A shoot is producing only solid green leaves: This is reversion within that stem. Remove it at the base if several consecutive leaves remain fully green so it does not outgrow the variegated branches.
• The pale margin is scorched: Hot direct sun has burned the lighter tissue. Move the plant into bright filtered light and protect new leaves while they harden.
• The thick leaves are wrinkling: The root ball may be very dry, or rotted roots may be unable to absorb water. Check the pot weight and root condition before watering.
• The lower stem is becoming soft: The mix may be staying wet around the thick stem base. Remove rot, reduce the pot size if necessary and restart the firm growth in a chunkier mix.
• Mealybugs are hidden where the stems branch: Isolate the plant, clean every leaf base and repeat treatment. Check nearby upright Peperomia because pests can move between touching plants.

Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Lime’ 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.

Where does the name Peperomia obtusifolia come from?

Peperomia combines Greek peperi, “pepper”, with homoios, “resembling”, and means “pepper-like”. Obtusifolia joins the Latin obtusus, meaning blunt, with folium, meaning leaf.

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

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Piper obtusifolium in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 30. Albert Gottfried Dietrich later placed it in Peperomia as Peperomia obtusifolia in 1831 in Species Plantarum, sixth edition, volume 1, page 154.