Habitat:
Peperomia tetragona is native to South America, with documented occurrence in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, and northern Brazil. It inhabits humid tropical and premontane forests, typically at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,500 metres. It grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte, often on moss-covered tree branches, rotting logs, or shaded rocky slopes in areas of high humidity and diffuse light. It is especially frequent in cloud forest margins and lower montane forest understory.
Description:
Peperomia tetragona is a compact, semi-succulent subshrub with a spreading to ascending habit, often forming mats or low cushions in its native range. Its stems are upright to arching, slightly trailing with age, and can reach up to 30 cm in length. The leaves are opposite, elliptic to oblong, measuring 3–6 cm long and around 1.5–2.5 cm wide, and are marked with distinct parallel venation—a key diagnostic feature. Each leaf is medium to dark green with pale green stripes following the primary veins. Stems are reddish to pale green and slightly angular. Inflorescences are slender, erect spikes, 4–10 cm long, bearing tiny greenish flowers typical of the genus. It is frequently misidentified as Peperomia puteolata, but the two differ in growth habit and leaf texture.
Cultivation:
Grow Peperomia tetragona in moderate, filtered light or light shade, avoiding prolonged direct sun. It prefers daytime temperatures of 20–26 °C and nighttime lows of 14–18 °C. Keep humidity moderate to high (50–80%). Use a well-aerated mix of orchid bark, perlite, and peat or coco coir. Water when the top layer of the substrate feels dry—do not allow it to sit in wet soil. This species prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0). Fertilise every 4–6 weeks during the growing season with a diluted balanced fertiliser. Easily grown in pots or hanging baskets in sheltered tropical environments or indoors.
Specifications:
Plant Size:
Plant Family: Piperaceae
Plant Passport: Peperomia tetragona B 140084 C 14533 D GB