Peperomia caperata Quito - Radiator plant

The Peperomia caperata 'Quito' is a cultivar selected in Ecuador, named after its capital. It features small, heart-shaped foliage with pointed tips, deeply textured with hollow veins and stunning coppery hues. Peperomias thrive in moderate to bright indirect light and prefer spaced-out watering.

Belonging to the Piperaceae family, the Peperomia genus includes nearly 1,700 species, often with fleshy leaves, primarily native to Central and South America as well as Asia. Some grow naturally as far north as Florida. These tropical plants flourish in undergrowth conditions with dappled light and humid air, sometimes as epiphytes or among rocks. The Peperomia caperata 'Quito' 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

The 'Quito' forms a small, spreading clump reaching 30 cm in height and 35 cm in width. Its thick, heart-shaped leaves are highly textured and display beautiful reflections ranging from bronze to deep rust and even gold. The plant may produce small white flowers in the form of slender spikes.
The name 'Peperomia' comes 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).

Place your Peperomia caperata 'Quito' in a spot where you can admire it such as on a desk, within a peperomia collection, or alongside other low-maintenance plants like a Scindapsus or a fern. This peperomia thrives in standard household humidity without needing misting—just allow the soil to dry out between waterings.