Peperomia ‘Rana Verde’

The origins of Peperomia ‘Rana Verde’

‘Rana Verde’ is a cultivar of Peperomia albovittata. It was bred in Sappemeer, the Netherlands, from a 2012 cross between two unnamed selections of the same species and was chosen in 2013 for its large green leaves and compact, spreading habit.

Peperomia albovittata is native to Ecuador. ‘Rana Verde’ represents a cultivated green form of that species, selected for solid green foliage and a broad, compact habit.

Looking after Peperomia ‘Rana Verde’ indoors

• Light: Plenty of bright indirect light keeps ‘Rana Verde’ broad and compact. A very dark position weakens the new growth and opens the mound.
• Watering: Let the upper mix dry and check that the pot feels lighter before watering. Then water thoroughly. Small pots can dry quickly, so check the mix and pot weight regularly.
• Potting mix: Use a loose, free-draining mix that holds some moisture while still leaving plenty of air around the roots. Bark and perlite or pumice keep the mix around the roots loose and airy.
• Humidity: Average household humidity works well when watering and airflow are well managed.
• Temperature: Keep conditions broadly between 18 and 30 °C, protecting the plant from cold draughts and sudden temperature drops.
• Feeding: Feed about every two weeks with balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength while new leaves are growing. Ease off when the plant is growing slowly.
• Repotting: Once the roots fill the pot or emerge through the drainage holes, refresh the airy mix and move to a pot only slightly larger.
• Grooming: Remove damaged or ageing leaves at the base and trim off spent flower spikes. The broad mound needs little pruning.

What can go wrong with Peperomia ‘Rana Verde’

• Yellow, soft leaves or a darkening base: Check whether the mix around the roots is staying too wet. Let the mix dry before watering again; if symptoms continue, examine the roots and remove rot with clean, disinfected tools before repotting. Discard any rotten parts and use our root rot guide for more detailed recovery steps.
• Leaves go limp and edges begin to curl: Check the potting mix before adding water. If dry, water the potting mix thoroughly; if it is still wet, inspect the roots because damaged roots can make the leaves limp too.
• Tan, dry marks appear across the glossy green leaf faces: Strong direct sun is the most likely cause. Move to filtered light and let healthy new leaves replace the scorched ones over time.
• Brown tips develop while the rest of the leaf remains green: Check for irregular watering, dry air, fertiliser salt build-up or fluoride in tap water. Make watering more consistent first, then try rainwater or filtered water and reduce feeding if the problem continues.
• White cottony spots collect around leaf stalks: Inspect for mealybugs. Isolate the plant, remove visible insects and use a suitable labelled treatment, repeating it at the interval specified on the label until the pest is gone. See our mealybug guide.

Peperomia ‘Rana Verde’ 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: where the name comes from

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.