Peperomia columella is a small but very special succulent from Peru.

It looks almost a bit futuristic with its small, thick, green leaves that sit tightly around the upright growing stems. The leaves have small "windows" at the top, it's not decoration, but a clever solution where light is allowed into the interior of the plant so it can photosynthesize even in harsh environments.

The entire plant rarely grows taller than 20 cm and the stems branch nicely from the base. A perfect little houseplant for those who like the odd, yet easy to care for. It likes it dry, so forget about watering too often!

Botanical description

Peperomia columella is endemic to Peru. It grows at altitudes between 1,430 and 1,575 meters above sea level, in dry areas, often in cracks in rocks or in sandy soil.

Care.

The most common problems with Peperomia columella are usually related to watering. It likes evenly moist soil, but not soggy! Too much water can cause it to wilt or develop small, knobby bumps on its leaves. A few dropped leaves at the bottom are normal, but if it suddenly loses a lot of leaves, it could be due to temperature fluctuations or too much nutrition.

Also keep an eye out for mealybugs, they look like little white cotton balls on the leaves or stems. Also, don't repot in a pot that's too big. This little plant likes to be a bit cramped! Buy Peperomia columella online!