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Peperomia nivalis Care Guide – UPDATED

In this article, we will talk about the succulent plant Peperomia nivalis (Taco Leaf Peperomia). We recommend you to have this beautiful succulent once you already have some experience with the care of succulents in general, since it is a little more delicate, and you have to follow it during the first months to verify that we are providing it with the proper care and that it does not get sick. Let’s start reviewing our updated Peperomia nivalis Care Guide. Also, we will review different methods for the propagation of Peperomia.

Characteristics of Peperomia nivalis

Peperomia nivalis is native to Peru and belongs to the Piperaceae family.

Peperomia nivalis Common Name: Taco Leaf Peperomia

Peperomia nivalis Common Name. Peperomia nivalis common name is the Taco Leaf Peperomia because the leaf shape is very similar to a taco.

The Taco Leaf Peperomia is the Peperomia nivalis. We are seeing in many internet articles and e-commerce stores that refer to the Taco Leaf Peperomia as Peperonia axillaris or axilaris. However, this taxonomic classification is non-existent as can be found in the NCBI taxonomy database.

The Taco Leaf Peperomia is one of the few succulents that we can have indoors without problem, it does not need a lot of lighting, so it is not necessary to leave it “glued” to a window to be well, a place with medium-light will be enough.

The Taco Leaf Peperomia leaves are fleshy, they seem to be folded and by the central part of that fold we can appreciate a translucent union between them, this is why its leaves have that form of pie, its color is bright green, its stems are also fleshy, erect and can reach a height of up to 6” (15 cm).

This Peperomia is a beautiful succulent plant that, when we learn to take care of it, beautifies our home, here we explain the care you should take with it to keep it healthy.

Peperomia nivalis Care

In the following paragraphs, we will dive into our updated Peperomia nivalis Care Guide.

Taco Leaf Peperomia Care. Follow all these tips to properly care for your Peperomia nivalis. We will also explain how to propagate Peperomia nivalis easily.

Peperomia nivalis Care how to care peperomia Taco Leaf Peperomia
Peperomia nivalis Care Guide Peperomia nivalis in a pot. Taco Leaf Peperomia

Peperomia nivalis Care: Light

Peperomia nivalis Care: Light. As we told you at the beginning its light or illumination needs are a little different from most succulents.

The Taco Leaf Peperomia does not need to be exposed to large amounts of light, you should place it somewhere where it has several hours of average light and it will be fine.

You should also have it in semi-shade, our experience with this little plant has taught us that its behavior is very similar to that of the haworthias, it does not like to be exposed to direct sunlight because it tends to turn yellow.

As an additional fact, this is one of the few succulents that can thrive well under grow lights.

Peperomia nivalis Care: Watering Tips

Peperomia nivalis Care: Watering Tips. Like other succulents, the Peperomia nivalis is a plant with which we have to reach a balance, as it does not tolerate overwatering, but neither that we leave the substrate completely dry.

So, we must try to water it deeply every 7 to 10 days, in summer we may have to increase the frequency of irrigation (depending on the temperature in the area where you live), to avoid keeping the substrate waterlogged.

A sign that will indicate that we are watering our Peperomia nivalis in excess is that it begins to “dry out”, exactly, this can cause us much confusion, so if you see that its leaves are wilting, you may be overwatering it.

Spraying between irrigations can help to maintain its hydration level, but they do not replace the irrigations that we should be giving it.

Remember to reduce watering in autumn and winter, providing water once a month will be enough.

Peperomia nivalis Care: Temperature

What is the best temperature to grow and care for Peperomia nivalis? The Taco Leaf Peperomia will thrive best in a cool, but not dry environment, its ideal average temperature is between 50 and 77 °F (10° and 25 °C).

It is necessary to be attentive to seasonal changes, as it does not favor sudden changes in temperature or air currents.

Substrate for Peperomia nivalis

What is the best soil to grow and care for Peperomia nivalis? One of the conditions that we have to preserve is relative humidity, so we should use a mixture of a substrate in which we include a little perlite, remember that your substrate must have good drainage so you should also add coarse sand.

We recommend this soil for succulents (Order it here).

How to Fertilize Peperomia nivalis?

Peperomia nivalis Care: Fertilization. A recommendation for our Peperomia nivalis to take proper advantage of fertilization, is to do it during its active growth period, which is during the spring and summer.

It is good to fertilize the Taco Leaf Peperomia with liquid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer granules, if in the substrate of your succulent you have already added worm humus it will not be necessary to place something else (Order it here).

Peperomia nivalis Propagation

In the following paragraphs, we will review a few tips for Peperomia nivalis Propagation.

Like many other succulent plants, Peperomia nivalis is easy to propagate. Peperomia nivalis Propagation can be done either with stem cuttings or with its leaves.

The propagation procedure of Peperomia nivalis is very simple. Firstly, we only have to select the stems and the healthy leaves and of the good size of our peperomias.

For the stem cuttings, we will cut them with the help of a disinfected knife. After cutting, let them dry for one or two days to, finally later plant them in a loose substrate and preferably with worm humus.

We recommend the use of rooting hormone for better propagation success (Order it here).

If we propagate Peperomia nivalis by leaf once we separate them from the plant we can place them immediately on a layer of 0.4” (1 cm) high substrate in a place where it does not receive direct sunlight and is a little ventilated and wait for it to develop a new plant.

Learn more about How to Propagate Succulents in Water.

Flowering Peperomia Nivalis – When Peperomia Nivalis blooms?

Peperomia nivalis flower blooms in late winter and early spring. Its flowers are tiny, they are spike-shaped, and are born at the end of long flower stalks. Peperomia nivalis flowers can go unnoticed as they are not very showy, but very curious.

Frequent Problems in The Peperomia Nivalis

Peperomia nivalis Care: Prevent Pests and Diseases

Taco Leaf Peperomia Care: Prevent Pests and Diseases. One of the biggest problems we should have with our Peperomia nivalis are those caused by overwatering, by giving it excessive water we can cause our little plant to lose many of its leaves, these begin to wilt or present scab-like protuberances.

peperomia nivalis care how to propagate peperomia nivalis propagation Taco Leaf Peperomia
Taco Leaf Peperomia. When watering Peperomia nivalis it is advisable not to wet the leaves as they are damaged and stains appear. Always water directly into the soil and with little quantity to prevent the roots from rotting.

When watering Peperomia nivalis it is advisable not to wet the leaves, as this will damage them and cause stains. Always water directly into the soil and with a small amount to prevent the roots from rotting. This type of plastic bottle allows watering drop by drop, in a controlled way, avoiding splashing and damaging the leaves of succulents such as Peperomia.

ACM Economy Wash Bottle, LDPE, Squeeze Bottle Medical Label Tattoo (250ml. / 8oz / 1 Bottle)
  • Wash bottle used to wash labware and to store washing solutions, such as acetone or deionized water
  • LDPE body for flexibility, elasticity, and impact, stress-cracking, and moisture resistance, and is lightweight
  • Boston round shape for applications that require a rounded body, short neck, and narrow mouth to store liquid samples and solutions, and dry materials

What is happening with my Peperomia nivalis that is Losing Leaves?

What is happening with my Peperomia nivalis that is Losing Leaves? Be aware that Peperomia nivalis is also very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. So if your Taco Leaf Peperomia starts to lose leaves, and you are sure that you are not overwatering it, the sudden temperature change may be the cause.

It is also susceptible to cottony bug attacks, so be sure to check it from time to time both on the stems and under its leaves to detect this pest in time to combat it.

As you can see, the Taco Leaf Peperomia nivalis succulent plant is an excellent choice if you are looking for a succulent that you can have inside your home. Besides its size will give a nice touch to any place where you decide to place it.

Taco Leaf Peperomia - Peperomia axilaris - Easy Succulent Houseplant - 2.5" Pot
  • Taco Leaf Peperomia - Peperomia axilaris - Easy Succulent Houseplant - 2.5" Pot
  • 810018063511
  • Prefers bright, indirect light

If you like Peperomias we recommend you another article about Peperomia rotundifolia.

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Peperomia succulent

About Henry Morgan

Henry Morgan is an agronomist horticulture founder of The Garden Style Company and The Garden Style Website. He previously worked for Mondelēz International as an Agronomist Engineer specializing in agricultural products management in highly populated areas. In 2000, Henry started working with farmer-producers in agricultural businesses selling wholesale fresh produce and retail plants in Van Buren, Arkansas. Nowadays, Henry lives in California, where he offers expert consulting services for organic vegetable gardening. As a science writer working with his wife, Julia, Henry shares his passion for gardening and farming, trying to reach and teach as many folks as possible.

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