Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia) Peperomia obtusifolia
Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia) (Peperomia obtusifolia) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Piperaceae family, native to Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean and northern South America. It grows 20–30 cm (8–12 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia) in your garden →
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Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Piperaceae |
| Mature height | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean and northern South America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA lists peperomias as non-toxic).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia)
- How far apart should I plant Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia)?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia)?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- Is Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA lists peperomias as non-toxic).
- What grows well with Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- Thick, glossy, rounded leaves on fleshy stems, plain green or marbled cream. Semi-succulent: water only when the compost is dry. Thin, mouse-tail spikes of tiny flowers.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Kawakawa Piper excelsum
- Ashanti pepper (West African black pepper, uziza) Piper guineense
- Emerald ripple peperomia Peperomia caperata
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula