Peperomia pellucida aka Shiny Bush

Taxonomy

Peperomia pellucida, also known as pepper elder, shining bush plant, and man to man, is an annual herb belonging to the Piperaceae family. It is a shallow-rooted plant that typically grows to a height of 15 to 45 cm, with succulent stems, shiny, heart-shaped, fleshy leaves, and tiny, dot-like seeds attached to several fruiting spikes. This easy-to-care-for plant is popular for its light green or pale green spikes and is native to Asia and America, found growing in damp, shaded, tropical habitats. It is utilized ornamentally, medicinally, and as a food plant in numerous segments of Central and South America. Peperomia plants, including Peperomia pellucida, belong to the pepper family, along with black peppercorns. Interestingly, their fruits and seeds have traveled one of the longest distances ever recorded, over 3000 miles to an island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, while stuck to a bird's feet! The shiny bush grows 6” – 8” inches tall and is distinguished by its fleshy, heart-shaped, and shiny leaves, succulent stems, and dot-like seeds. The stems are ascending or erect and 6” – 17” inches long, while the leaves are 1” – 2” inch long and 1” inch wide. The plant produces small flowers shaped like cord-like spikes and has a mustard-like odor when crushed. Peperomia pellucida is easy to propagate by leaves, making it a great plant to share with friends.

Common names

Shiny Bush, Sirih Cina, Pepper Elder

How to care for Shiny Bush

Difficulty

Are you up for a challenge? Shiny Bush will test your gardening skills and require extra care and attention to thrive.

Water

Shiny Bush should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Shiny Bush loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Shiny Bush prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Shiny Bush to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Humidity

The Shiny Bush does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.

Fertilizer

The Shiny Bush should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Shiny Bush’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia