Peperomia orba 'Pixie Lime'

Background of Peperomia orba 'Pixie Lime'

Peperomia orba was described in 1966 from greenhouse-grown plants, and its wild origin is still unknown.

'Pixie Lime' is the name used for this compact lime-green form.

Keeping Peperomia orba 'Pixie Lime' healthy

• Light: Its pale foliage is best kept in bright indirect light, which helps the mound stay tight and the lime colour clear. Very dark positions loosen the growth, while strong unfiltered midday sun can mark the tiny leaves.
• Watering: Watch both the top of the mix and the weight of the pot. Water once the top part has dried and the pot feels lighter, soaking it evenly and letting the excess drain away. Allow the dense centre to dry between waterings.
• Potting mix: Use a fine, airy potting mix that holds a little moisture and drains freely.
• Temperature: Keep this miniature Peperomia in a warm part of the room, away from cold glass and draughts. Growth will naturally slow as conditions become cooler.
• Humidity: Normal household humidity is usually sufficient. If the air is more humid, keep gentle airflow around and through the dense foliage so moisture does not linger in the centre.
• Feeding: During active growth, use a balanced houseplant fertiliser at a mild dose and follow the label.
• Training: Allow the outer shoots to spread or hang as they mature.
• Pruning: To preserve the rounded cushion, pinch back the occasional shoot that grows beyond the rest of the mound, cutting just above a node.
• Repotting: Keep it in a fairly small pot. Move up only after roots have used the available space or the mix has broken down, choosing the next pot only slightly larger.
• Propagation: Short stem pieces root well when a node is laid onto or inserted into lightly moist, airy potting mix. Keep the cutting warm in filtered light until growth resumes.

Peperomia orba 'Pixie Lime' problems and solutions

• The mound opens up and stems become long: Insufficient light is the most likely cause. Increase light gradually and pinch the longest shoots to encourage denser new branching.
• Leaves turn yellow and soft: Check for a mix that remains wet for days. Improve drainage, let the mix dry more between waterings and inspect the roots if the stem bases are also soft.
• Leaves shrivel or become crisp: The tiny root ball may have dried too far, especially near a heater or in a very small pot. Water thoroughly, then water again when the pot feels light.
• Stems die back in the centre: A wet, crowded centre with little airflow can allow stems to rot. Remove dead material with a clean, disinfected tool, discard it and keep future watering out of the dense centre where possible.
• White cottony material appears inside the plant: Mealybugs can hide where the short stems meet. Isolate the plant, remove visible pests and inspect repeatedly; if treatment is needed, use a product labelled for mealybugs and indoor ornamental plants and repeat only as the label directs.

Peperomia orba ‘Pixie 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.

Why is it called Peperomia orba?

Peperomia combines Greek peperi, “pepper”, with homoios, “resembling”, and means “pepper-like”. The Latin word orba means “orphaned”, “bereft” or “without parents”.

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

George Sydney Bunting first described Peperomia orba in 1966 in Baileya, volume 14, page 65.