Planning Ahead with a Favorite Peperomia

Houseplants are not the first things I think about in summer. With so many different annuals and perennials to dig into the open-air garden, most of my thoughts center around outdoor beauties at this time of year. But then I see a good display of houseplants, and my interest is sparked once again.

A year ago, I received a gift of Peperomia puteolata Parallel. It was just right for adding a little height to my houseplant collection, and its foliage was the first thing I admired. Lots of plants are variegated, but this Peperomia’s stripes struck me as something special. The leaves of Peperomia puteolata Parallel looked as though they had been decorated for an occasion and set upon longer stems that had risen up to show them off.

Now, although I love plants, there are lots of things that get in my way of providing perfect care for them. Outdoors, Nature takes care of most everything, and my in-ground and automatic irrigation system is a good understudy that fills in to save the show when Nature is off working on other productions. But indoors, the work is on me.

With houseplants, I forget to water. I act hastily as I am cleaning off a table, and I move a sun-lover into a darkened corner. I get off-pace with feeding my plants. Peperomia puteolata Parallel has been with me a year now. Peperomia puteolata Parallel has weathered all this. Peperomia puteolata Parallel is still going strong.

Peperomias in general are easy-growing plants. But at the same time others of my Peperomias have begun to look tired or lose leaves, Peperomia puteolata Parallel has continued to grow at a nice pace, able to withstand problems I unintentionally have created for it.

Peperomia puteolata Parallel grows fine in a shallow container. It likes bright light, but direct sunlight may result in leaf scorch. I have placed my plant on windowsills and bright counters. It is nomadic, traveling quite well around my home. I do take care to avoid placing Peperomia puteolata Parallel near a cool, drafty spot. Known as “radiator plants”, Peperomias love warmth. But as long as I avoid air conditioner vents and drafty windows, finding a spot for this plant is easy. 

I think Peperomia puteolata Parallel does well with me because I tend to water too little, not too much. Overwatering is said to be the main caretaking mistake that will do it damage. So my tendency to forget to water works just fine with this plant that must dry out between waterings.

I have not fertilized my Peperomia puteolata Parallel much at all, and because I think of the term “parallel” within its name, I have kept it as a tall grower, eager to see which stems rise and grow parallel to each other. Others pinch the stem tips to create a fuller plant, and I too may try this as time goes on.

Honestly, my caretaking routine for this plant is non-existent. This causes me to think that Peperomia puteolata Parallel is the perfect houseplant to purchase now for holiday gifting half a year later. That is not to suggest that the gift recipients I have in mind will be less-than-diligent caretakers. But it is nice to gift a plant that can handle a lot and still look fresh and fine. I have read that Peperomia puteolata Parallel is non-toxic to dogs and cats. This is attractive, considering how many of my friends have pets. So is the fact that its leaves purify the air. And to top it all off, Peperomia has been named Houseplant of the Year for 2022. I think this particular Peperomia will add the perfect touch of living green to a time of year when boxed gifts are the norm. 

I intend to purchase some Peperomia puteolata Parallel plants now, plant them in decent containers, and then re-pot them in better planters when summer is drawing to a close and container sales pop up. They will be ready for holiday gifting when summer has passed and indoor greenery is most needed. The head-start they will get this summer, perhaps even sitting out on the deck for part of the time as long as there is a bit of humidity, will ensure they are on the fuller side and quite comfortable in the containers I choose by the time mid-winter holidays roll around. 

I think about how I ultimately might package each of these gift plants, and my mind goes to accompanying each with an attractive care tag. (A tiny one will do.)