Florida is the only state in the continental United States with native Peperomia species. Eight occur in Florida, two non-native species and six native species. Of the native species, all but one are rare, state-listed endangered plants (Wunderlin & Hansen 2008). Peperomia humilis A. Dietrich is the Florida native species with the greatest geographic range and it occurs in 12 counties from Duval County in the north to Collier and Miami-Dade counties in the south.
Peperomia humilis is fairly common in cultivation among Florida native plant gardeners and is moderately easy to grow. Optimum requirements are a brightly lit but shady spot in well-drained soil that does not dry out excessively. Failure to successfully cultivate this plant is most commonly due to overwatering it or planting it in poorly drained soils. As with most peperomias, it makes an ideal houseplant so long as the soil is allowed to become almost completely, but not quite, dry between waterings and it is not located in a very hot, dry spot.
References:
- Wunderlin, R. P., and B. F. Hansen. 2008. Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants. Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa. Internet
© 2010 Rufino Osorio.
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