Peperomia Types (Radiator Plants)You’ll Love!
The radiator plant or peperomia plant includes 1,500 unique species. With size, shape, and color classifications, by the time you’re done reading, you’ll be able to select the perfect peperomia for you!
With over a thousand peperomia plants to choose from I created this list of peperomia plant types with three helpful requirements in mind. The most beautiful peperomia types, commonly available peperomia and the easiest peperomia (radiator plants) to grow.
26 Types of Peperomia: Radiator Plants to Grow
Peperomia Ruby Cascade
How about my favorite trailing peperomia to start off this list!
The Ruby Cascade grows natively in the South and Central American subtropical and tropical rainforests. There, the long vines will ascend rocks and trees.
The Ruby Cascade has dual-toned leaves, where the outer surface is a bright green and underneath the leaves is that trademark ruby color (the hue can sometimes look purplish).
Trailing peperomia are some of my personal favorites. The average size of Ruby Cascade plant is 12 inches.
The Peperomia Ruby Cascade is a very slow grower so don’t be alarmed if it takes your ruby cascade a while to gain length. Once they have grown a bit, growing a ruby cascade in a hanging planter can add variety to your indoor garden.
Raindrop Peperomia
The Peperomia polybotrya also known as Raindrop Peperomia and Coin-Leaf Peperomia earns its names due to its large, Coin-Like-leaves or teardrop-shaped leaves.
I’ve always loved growing and caring for the Peperomia polybotrya. That’s partly why I chose to use my picture of this beautiful radiator plant for the featured image on this article that features so many peperomia plants.
This compact peperomia variety reaches heights of one foot on average, making it the perfect plant to grow on your desk at home or in the office!
Piper Peperomia
If you’re looking for a peperomia variety that doesn’t die easily, you’ve found it in the piper peperomia.
This rainforest plant, which originates in South America, grows slowly, but the results are worth it.
At its biggest, a piper peperomia can reach heights of 36 inches! The glossy, green, arrow-shaped leaves that will grow in abundance are quite appealing.
Fuzzy Mystery Peperomia
What’s the mystery behind the Fuzzy Mystery peperomia? Well, for one, why does this peperomia variety have a fur-like texture on the leaves?
Hint: it’s probably for drought protection.
A large and stately plant that can reach sizes of 12 inches in maturity, the Fuzzy Mystery usually grows in shades of bright to darker green.
Ginny Peperomia
Sometimes referred to as the peperomia jelly, the Ginny peperomia is beloved for its bright green centers bordered by a neon red or pinkish edge.
Also within the leaves are usually splotches of white or cream, making this one colorful type of peperomia!
Jade Necklace Peperomia (Peperomia rotundifolia)
The indoor plant known as the Peperomia rotundifolia goes by many nicknames, chief among them the jade necklace.
Given its scientific name “Peperomia rotundifolia” by the German botanist Carl Sigismund Kunth, Peperomia rotundifolia translated is “resembling rounded leaves”.
This is yet another trailing peperomia variety that can extend to 12 inches in size.
The leaves on each vine are single-colored (a bright, mid-green) but not overly large, measuring about four inches in diameter.
Ruby Glow Peperomia
That’s right, the Ruby Glow and Ruby Cascade are two entirely different peperomia types. The former is the Peperomia graveolens and grows in southern Ecuador.
A teeny-tiny indoor plant that is 10 inches high at most, what’s distinguishing about the Ruby Glow is twofold.
For one, there are the remarkable stripes of bright red (to pink) that border the edges of the foliage.
Secondly, the Ruby Glow has thick leaves that almost make it reminiscent of a succulent. This is one unique peperomia!
Piccolo Banda Peperomia (Peperomia albovittata )
The Peperomia albovittata or Piccolo Banda is reminiscent of the ultra-popular peperomia known as the watermelon peperomia (which I’ll talk more about later). It has those same large, heart-shaped leaves.
The colors though are striking in a completely different way. The Piccolo Banda leaves are whiteish green with dark stripes and veins that look almost black.
This is a sizable peperomia too, reaching heights of 10 to 18 inches.
Emerald Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
Hailing from Brazil, the Emerald Ripple peperomia or Peperomia caperata is one to keep your eye on.
The leaves are large and heart-shaped but are puckered, almost the way your fingers get when you spend too long swimming (you know what I mean!).
The Emerald Ripple, despite the name, is mostly red to maroon with some green or whiteish outer leaves. The plant reaches sizes of six to eight inches.
Brazilian Peperomia (Peperomia urocarpa)
Speaking of Brazil, next is the Brazilian peperomia, aka the Peperomia urocarpa.
If you like peperomia types with leaves that look like succulents, then this indoor plant will be right up your alley.
Sometimes the Brazilian peperomia can get rather bushy, so you’ll have to tend to yours often. It’s not unheard of for this plant to spread 16 inches in maturity.
Peperomia Rosso
Now here’s a cool peperomia that’s sure to grab your attention, the peperomia Rosso.
Its spiky, multicolored leaves stack atop one another for a truly unique effect. The leaves also feature ribs. The outer leaf color is dark brown, and the underside is dark red to brownish.
Oh, and did I mention the Rosso grows stalk-like inflorescences as well? It can!
Taco Peperomia
I hope this doesn’t make your mouth water, but there is indeed a peperomia type known as the taco peperomia.
Why is the Peperomia axillaris named after the Mexican food? This peperomia plants leaves are bent like taco shells!
A smaller peperomia, the taco plant reaches sizes of five to 12 inches.
Parallel Peperomia
Growing natively in South America, the parallel peperomia aka the Peperomia puteolata is probably nicknamed that due to the stripes across its long, teardrop-shaped leaves.
Yes indeed, those stripes are vertical and parallel to one another.
The leaves are mostly green but have been known to display traces of red. You might even see this peperomia bloom if it’s receiving excellent care!
Nivalis Peperomia
At first glance, the Peperomia nivalis doesn’t even look like a peperomia, but I swear, it is.
The Nivalis is a peperomia with a penchant for climbing. Its leaves grow in clusters and can become long and skinny in maturity.
This peperomia variety is always some green hue, especially if it receives its requisite sunlight. The Nivalis reaches sizes of 10 to 12 inches indoors.
Watermelon Peperomia
Here’s the classic, the watermelon peperomia or Peperomia argyreia. This peperomia might have been your introduction to peperomias, and rightfully so.
Being common, beautiful and easy to grow, they tick all the boxes when it comes to choosing a great radiator plant to add to your indoor garden.
A South American plant species, the watermelon peperomia has oversized leaves in light green with darker green lines and veins. The plant’s foliage color resembles the outside of a watermelon, although you won’t see any pink or red here.
The watermelon peperomia or Peperomia argyreia is also one of the more common radiator plants you’ll find at the local plant store and with a little love, light and water, they can be some of the easiest peperomia plants to care for , Especially if you’re growing yours indoors.
Felted Peperomia
Like the Fuzzy Mystery, the felted peperomia (Peperomia incana) also has a fuzzy leaf texture.
This Brazilian peperomia variety grows small hairs to prevent the plant from frying if it’s exposed to direct sun in drought conditions.
The leaves are flat and heart-shaped, and they’re single-colored as well. Thus, you can marvel that much more at the fuzzy texture!
Ivy Peperomia
Here’s yet another peperomia type that grows in Brazil, the ivy peperomia or Peperomia griseoargentea.
The heart-shaped leaves are elegant, and the silvery sheen this plant is known for makes it a desirable addition to your indoor garden.
If not silvery, then the ivy peperomia’s foliage may be bright green to maroon. It has a spread of upwards of 20 inches. This plant also produces stalk-like inflorescences.
Ferreyra Peperomia
Some people refer to the Peperomia ferreyrae as the pincushion peperomia or the happy bean peperomia.
No matter what you want to call this radiator plant, this is a small plant that grows foliage reminiscent of beans.
Reaching sizes of four to 12 inches, you just may get to see the Ferreyra peperomia sprout flowers, which is truly a sight to behold!
Peperomia Serpens
Growing natively in the New World Tropics, the Peperomia serpens is referred to as the vining peperomia.
Don’t be fooled by the leaves; although this indoor plant looks like a succulent, it’s anything but.
Speaking of leaves, they’re flat, single-shaded, and heart-shaped. They’re also known to trail, with an average spread of two to four inches.
The serpens can reach sizes of 24 inches, so only pick it if you have the room!
Peperomia Obtusifolia or American Baby Rubber Plant
The American baby rubber plant or Peperomia obtusifolia is still a peperomia, just one that resembles a completely different species.
The leaves have that rubbery texture and appealing sheen.
The American baby rubber plant doesn’t grow much taller than 10 inches, so if you only have a little bit of room for an indoor garden, you know which plant to prioritize.
Peperomia Japonica
Referred to as the arid-land peperomia, the Peperomia japonica will climb when given the freedom to.
You can also grow this plant in a planter, pot, or even a terrarium if you’d rather contain its size.
The arid-land peperomia features stems in hues of green or red with leaves that are always green. It can grow to heights of eight to 14 inches with a spread of between four and six inches.
Golden Gate Peperomia
You’ll get San Francisco vibes off the Golden Gate peperomia.
Why name it after such a beloved piece of architecture, you’re asking? It’s a tall, appealing plant much like the bridge itself, but it’s not gold, sorry.
Instead, the Golden Gate peperomia features regular-sized heart-shaped leaves with lighter variegation around the borders and darker green centers.
Standing up to eight inches high, it makes an impression in any room.
Columbian Peperomia
If you have indoor container plants, the Columbian peperomia is one to add to your garden ASAP.
This dark-colored perennial plant has leaves that are blackish to reddish with hints of maroon or light pink.
The cup-shaped leaves are adorned with long silver stripes that cut right down the center. This plant certainly stands out among all the other green peperomia types you might be growing!
The Columbian peperomia reaches sizes of four to 10 inches with a spread of two to eight inches, so it’s quite manageable at home or in the office.
Belly Button Peperomia
That’s right, there’s such a plant as the belly button peperomia!
Known as the Peperomia verticillata, the belly button peperomia A.K.A. “Red Log peperomia” and even the “Double Trouble peperomia“, grows leaf clusters. In the center of those clusters is a curling, rosette-like leaf that you could say is the cluster’s belly button.
With green stalk inflorescences between the leaves, the belly button peperomia is a statement-maker. The leaves take on a velvety texture in maturity too, so that’s something to look forward to!
Bibi Peperomia
Do you want a peperomia that grows almost effortlessly? Then try the Bibi peperomia or Peperomia trinervula.
With a spread of between seven and 10 inches, the Bibi grows wide and tall but never gets huge.
Its leaves are shaped like lances or arrows with bright, fresh foliage. In some instances, the stems might have a contrasting reddish hue.
Peperomia Rubella
The last peperomia type on the list is the Peperomia rubella, a Jamaican indoor plant that features bright red stems.
The leaves will grow in clusters of no more than four to a cluster, and they have that fleshy succulent texture.
This plant can get somewhat bigger, reaching sizes of 10 to 12 inches. The spread of the Rubella is between six and eight inches.
