Plant Profile: Peperomia obtusifolia

Taxonomy: Peperomia obtusifolia

Names

American Rubber Plant, Baby Rubberplant, Baby Rubber Plant, Pepper Face, Rhynchophorum

  • Photo of Peperomia obtusifolia (Peperomia obtusifolias)

Phonetic Spelling:pep-eh-ROH-mee-ah ob-too-sih-FOH-lee-ah

Genus:Peperomia

Species:obtusifolia

Family:Piperaceae

Pepper Face is a tropical evergreen shrub that typically stands about 1 foot tall, characterized by its upright and bushy growth. Notable identification features include its glossy, cupped, obovate leaves, which grow on distinct, branched stems and petioles often tinged with pink. The leaves are attached in a sub-peltate manner. This plant is frequently chosen as an indoor specimen or desktop decoration. It can endure low light conditions for extended periods without suffering, but it does not thrive in overly wet or dry soil, nor in drafty environments. Ideally, it prefers medium light, well-drained soil, and moderate to low humidity levels. Fortunately, Pepper Face is generally free from significant pest or disease issues, making it a popular choice for houseplant enthusiasts.

**Quick Identification Tips:**

Peperomia obtusifolia Feature Summary

Peperomia obtusifolia Image Gallery

Tags

#evergreen
#poisonous
#houseplant
#perennial
#interiorscape
#variegated leaves
#fantz
#non-toxic for horses
#non-toxic for dogs
#non-toxic for cats

Similar Plants

Peperomia obtusifolia is often confused with:

Peperomia obtusifolia Feature Summary

Attributes
Mexico and South America
Perennial
Flowers
Flowers are white-cream in color and minute. They are crowded on an erect spike (spadix). Flowers have 2 stamens and 0 perianths.
White
Cream/Tan
< 1 inch
Leaves
Leaves are alternate, simple, obovate, obtuse to emarginate, cuneate, entire, concave, coriaceous, waxy, glossy green, and sub-peltate. Petioles are short, less than an inch in size, and somewhat winged. They are often variegated.
Green
Variegated
Cream/Tan
Orbicular
Obtuse
Cuneate
Glossy
Waxy
Stem
Stems are branched, stoloniferous, and ascend up to 6".
Poisonous to Humans
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. No known cases in humans, but toxic to some animals.
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Poisonous
Houseplant
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Landscape

Peperomia obtusifolia Attributes

Peperomia obtusifolia: Country Or Region Of Origin

Mexico and South America

Peperomia obtusifolia: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Peperomia obtusifolia Flowers

Peperomia obtusifolia: Flower Description

Flowers are white-cream in color and minute. They are crowded on an erect spike (spadix). Flowers have 2 stamens and 0 perianths.

Peperomia obtusifolia: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Cream/Tan
filter_vintage
White

Peperomia obtusifolia: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Peperomia obtusifolia: Flower Size

1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches

Peperomia obtusifolia Leaves

Peperomia obtusifolia: Leaf Description

Leaves are alternate, simple, obovate, obtuse to emarginate, cuneate, entire, concave, coriaceous, waxy, glossy green, and sub-peltate. Petioles are short, less than an inch in size, and somewhat winged. They are often variegated.

Peperomia obtusifolia: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Peperomia obtusifolia: Leaf Color

spa
Cream/Tan
spa
Green
spa
Variegated

Peperomia obtusifolia: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Peperomia obtusifolia: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Peperomia obtusifolia: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Peperomia obtusifolia: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Peperomia obtusifolia: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Peperomia obtusifolia: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Peperomia obtusifolia: Leaf Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy

Peperomia obtusifolia Stem

Peperomia obtusifolia: Stem Description

Stems are branched, stoloniferous, and ascend up to 6".

Peperomia obtusifolia: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Peperomia obtusifolia Poisonous to Humans

Peperomia obtusifolia: Poison Symptoms

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. No known cases in humans, but toxic to some animals.

Peperomia obtusifolia: Poison Toxic Principle

Alkaloids

Peperomia obtusifolia: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Peperomia obtusifolia: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Peperomia obtusifolia: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Peperomia obtusifolia Whole Plant Traits

Peperomia obtusifolia: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Peperomia obtusifolia: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Peperomia obtusifolia: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Peperomia obtusifolia Cultural Conditions

Peperomia obtusifolia: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Peperomia obtusifolia Landscape

Peperomia obtusifolia: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Peperomia obtusifolia: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland