Peperomia caperata Luna - Radiator plant

The Peperomia caperata 'Luna' also known as 'Red Luna', is a cultivar cherished by enthusiasts for its thick heart-shaped, deeply striate, bumpy, and indented foliage with a stunning reddish-brown hue. Provide it with moderate to bright light, avoiding direct sunlight, along with moderate watering to help it thrive.

Belonging to the Piperaceae family, the Peperomia genus includes around 1,700 species often characterised by thick, fleshy leaves. These plants are native to Central and South America as well as Asia, with some found as far north as Florida. They naturally grow in tropical undergrowth, in soft light and high humidity, often as epiphytes or among rocks. The Peperomia 'Luna' is an ornamental cultivar derived from the Peperomia caperata species native to southeastern Brazil, also known as the Emerald Ripple Peperomia or Ripple Peperomia. The wrinkled peperomias are distinguished by their veined, often semi-succulent leaves. The 'Luna' forms a small, spreading clump, 20 to 30 cm in height and width. Its heart-shaped leaves are highly textured, deeply veined, and display a lovely reddish-brown tone. Although primarily grown for its foliage, the plant may produce small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers on slender spikes. The growth rate of this variety is slow to moderate.
The name 'Peperomia' is derived from the Greek words 'peperi' (pepper) and 'homoios' (resembling). This etymology highlights the plant's connection to the Piperaceae family which also includes black pepper (Piper nigrum).

Create beautiful plant displays by placing the Peperomia caperata 'Luna' on a shelf or within a collection of plants, alongside a trailing, silvery Scindapsus pictus or a blue-tinged Phlebodium aureum. This Peperomia thrives with minimal care in the ambient humidity of a typical indoor environment, with a substrate allowed to dry out well between waterings.