Peperomia polybotrya 'Raindrop'

From Colombia, Ecuador and Peru

Peperomia polybotrya is native to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru and grows mainly in the wet tropical regions of the northern Andes. In Colombia, it has been found between about 400 and 2,000 metres across several Andean regions.

Raindrop peperomia is a widely established common name for cultivated Peperomia polybotrya, inspired by the shape of its leaves.

Growing a foliage plant indoors

• Light: Provide bright, indirect light. Gentle early or late sun is suitable after gradual adjustment, but protect the broad leaves from intense midday exposure.
• Water: Water when the upper layer has dried and the container is lighter. Soak the mix evenly and drain it, without leaving the fine roots dry for a prolonged period.
• Substrate and pot: Use an airy blend of houseplant substrate, fine bark and perlite or pumice. Keep the roots in a reasonably snug pot with drainage and increase the size gradually.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep Peperomia polybotrya ‘Raindrop’ in steady indoor warmth and away from cold conditions. Average to moderate household humidity is suitable when air can move around the leaves.
• Feeding: Give a low-dose balanced fertiliser while new leaves and stems are forming. Pause when growth stops or the substrate dries slowly.

Raindrop Peperomia Troubleshooting

• Drooping leaves: Test the root ball before responding. Water and drain a dry pot; when the mix is wet, inspect for weakened roots instead of adding water.
• Yellowing with a soft lower stem: Check if the damage is localized or rapidly spreading and wet-looking. Remove a small damaged section and old wet substrate when firm tissue remains; isolate and discard a plant whose soft collapse continues to advance.
• Raised blisters or corky patches: Broad fleshy leaves can develop oedema when roots remain wet while conditions are cool, dim or still. Let more of the mix dry, keep the plant warmer and improve airflow. Healthy new leaves should be free of blisters.
• Long leaf stalks and a leaning stem: Move the plant step by step into stronger indirect light and turn the pot. Support a healthy stem temporarily if needed, but compact improvement occurs only in new growth.
• Bleached, papery or black local spots: Check for direct light or heat, contact with cold glass, crushed leaf stalks or spray damage. Protect it from intense light and cold glass, and discontinue any suspected spray. If the spot keeps spreading, another problem is involved.
• Brown tips with mineral crust: Flush the substrate thoroughly with plain water and reduce the fertiliser dose. Drought and root damage can also brown the tips, so confirm the crust and root condition before changing feeding.
• Silvery scars, black specks or distorted young leaves: Inspect the broad leaf undersides and flower spikes for thrips. Isolate the plant, remove the most damaged leaves and flower spikes, then treat with a product approved for thrips on indoor plants.
• Pale stippling, bronzing or fine webbing: Use a hand lens to look for mites. Treat only after mites are found and test spray treatments on one leaf, since the broad fleshy blades can show spray marks.

Peperomia polybotrya ‘Raindrop’ 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 polybotrya get its name?

Peperomia combines Greek peperi, “pepper”, with homoios, “resembling”, and means “pepper-like”. The species name polybotrya combines Greek polys, “many”, with botrys, meaning a cluster or bunch of grapes.

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

Karl Sigismund Kunth first described Peperomia polybotrya in 1816 in Nova Genera et Species Plantarum, volume 1, page 60.