Peperomia nivalis

Peperomia nivalis, with a name referring to the occasional waxy coating on the leaves resembling snow (nivalis - snow), is found at high altitudes in the Peruvian Andes.

Peperomia nivalis impresses with its lime green, glossy and fleshy leaves. Their thickness and succulent character form a U-shape in cross-section. The leaves resemble a boat-shaped leaf with a dark green 'window' at the apex, the epidermal window. The lower leaves naturally fall off slightly with age. The leaves grow arranged on erect or semi-erect stems. The fleshy stems grow up to 15 cm long.

Yellow spikes of small yellow flowers appear at the tip of the stem in autumn or winter.

However, the flowers are not very attractive and they exhaust the plant. I therefore recommend pinching them off in good conscience. The plant can be lightly fertilised with, for example, succulent and cactus substrate. The most common problems are related to improper watering, so it is important to water judiciously to avoid overwatering. They do, however, prefer consistently wetter soil, although they are also sensitive to waterlogging. Peperomia nivalis is particularly notable for the epidermal windows on its deep green leaves. But it is also pleasing in that it usually does not outgrow its neighbours and instead complements their own strengths.