Peperomia caperata is known as Mouse’s Tail or Emerald Curl Peperomia. It is a semi-succulent from the Piperaceae family. It is an epiphyte native to the jungles of Brazil. Being an epiphyte means that the plant grows in the crevices of trees without being parasitic. Let’s see how to propagate, grow Peperomia Caperata and its care.

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Morphological characteristics of Peperomia caperata
Peperomia caperata is an evergreen tropical shrub with no woody stems. It is erect and bushy, rising to a maximum of 20 cm in height. However, most plants do not grow beyond 10 to 15 centimeters.
During summers, Peperomia caperata is covered in erect, spiny white flowers. The flowers are not the main attraction of this plant because its leaves are unique.
They have beautiful red to purple stems that are erect and reach a maximum of 8 inches in height. Many plants in this category grow between 10 and 15 centimeters.
How to propagate Peperomia caperata
The easiest and safest way to propagate Peperomia caperata is to take leaf cuttings from the ground. Follow the steps below for successful propagation.

Take your cutting tool and clean it with rubbing alcohol or otherwise sterilize it. Cut off one of the leaves at the base, making sure to leave a few centimeters of stem.
Leave cut leaves for a day or two in the shade until the cut forms a cay, this helps reduce the risk of cutting rot.
After that, plant the cuttings and bury the tip of the cuttings a few inches into well-drained soil and water lightly.
You would want to be careful not to let the soil dry out completely and to avoid overwatering.
Leave the cuttings in the shade during the rooting process, when you see new leaves starting to grow you can transplant them and give them the normal care described below.
Growing Peperomia caperata and its care

Lighting and placement
In order for the plant to grow and develop strongly, it is necessary to provide it with bright indirect light and protect it from direct sunlight.
Direct sunlight causes the plant to wilt, especially during the summer months.
As the ground in these forests is mostly covered with tall trees, the plant does not get enough light; therefore, he adopted this adaptation to deal with these conditions.
If you want to grow Peperomia caperata indoors, you should keep it near a window where it can receive indirect sunlight.
An east-facing window is ideal for houseplants to bask in morning sun while enjoying partial afternoon shade. Bright fluorescent lighting also works well, ideal for office spaces.
Pale, dull leaves are a sign that the plant lacks light. When the leaves suddenly start to drop, scorch, or scorch, you know they’re getting too much direct sunlight.
Temperature
This plant likes warm temperatures, between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius. People who live near the equator can grow it outdoors all year round. But for colder regions, it is recommended to grow it indoors, because the plant dies in case of frost.
Usually I
To grow Peperomia caperata, you will need a well-drained potting soil. This type of soil makes the roots breathe and excess water quickly leaves the pot without accumulating at the bottom.
Soil organic matter retains moisture and keeps roots warm and moist, while providing necessary nutrients to the plant.
The plant is very susceptible to root rot, to prevent this you can place a layer of gravel or pebbles at the bottom of the pot.
A combination of peat moss, compost, humus, bark, and some drainage material such as pumice or perlite makes an excellent soil mix.
Peperomia caperata thrives in slightly acidic soil, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.6, and adding plenty of compost to the soil helps improve its acidic nature.
Irrigation

Proper care for this plant is that the soil is barely moist. Watering is a very tricky matter, and you want to be sure to water once the top two inches of soil are dry.
Water deeply and allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings using the Topsoil Dryness Test before watering again.
The easiest way to test the dryness of topsoil is to poke your fingers into it. If any part of the top two inches is still wet, don’t water until it dries.
When watering Peperomia caperata, you must be careful not to water it directly from above. You don’t want the leaves to get wet because they can develop brown spots due to fungal and bacterial infections. Instead, water it from the sides so this doesn’t happen.
You can also immerse the pot in a container of water and let the water seep through the pot to water the plant from below without touching the leaves.
Pass
For Peperomia caperata, use a balanced succulent compost once a month during the spring and summer months when it is actively growing.
Organic fertilizer is ideal for this plant; can be spread in a pot and again after a few months to replenish the topsoil.
Fertilizer recommended for succulents and cacti can be used, but it must be diluted with water so as not to overwhelm the plant with excess salts.
Cut
This plant does not require pruning. But if some of the leaves have started to turn black from waterlogging, you should cut off the infected parts at the base to maintain the unique and beautiful color mix of the plant.
Plagues and diseases
Scale insects and aphids are likely to attack it. You can eliminate these pests by spraying liquid soap or kitchen detergent mixed with water.
The use of organic pesticides such as neem oil is recommended to control these pests.
You should also do a routine check of the plant, especially on the undersides of the leaves, as this is where the pests start attacking. When you find them, be sure to pinch off the affected leaf.
Transplant
Peperomia caperata is a slow growing plant and therefore pruning is usually not a reason for transplanting.
However, the soil can lose its porosity and nutrients, requiring repotting every two to three years.
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