''Peperomia rotundifolia'', also known as jade necklace, trailing jade, creeping buttons and round leaf Peperomia, is a
trailing plant
A vine (Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themselve ...
species of
peperomia native to the tropical rainforest of
South America. The first European to describe it was
Carl von Linné, and got its current name from
Carl Sigismund Kunth.
Subspecies
In addition to the nominate form, there are also the subspecies, ''ovata'', ''pilosior'', ''subelliptica'', ''subglabrilimba'' and ''obcordata''.
Characteristics
It has hanging
shoots and very small, thick and fleshy,
succulent
In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', meani ...
, button-like leaves that may entwine and weave in and out of each other.
[World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World](_blank)
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Peperomia rotundifolia has medicinal propertises and seems promising for dealing with stomach issues, pain, and internal pests.
Habitat
An epiphyte
An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...
, the plant grows in tropical forests in North and South America on trees and can also be found crawling on rock cracks, rotten logs and the forest ground as well, preferring moisture and shaded conditions. Their USDA hardiness zone is 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Cultivation
The plant does best in hanging baskets, where it can cascade, as well as in terrariums. The species require high humidity, especially when it is warm, though they are very sensitive to overwatering, where they would wilt or have scab-like bumps on their leaves. They grow well in steadily moist soils. Summer temperatures should exceed 24 °C and in winter it should not be lower than 16 °C.[Dawid Longman: Nurturing house plants . Warsaw: PWR and L, 1997. ]
The plant flourishes when it is slightly pot-bound, meaning they should not be over-potted. The plant can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings. They may be susceptible to mealybugs.
References
External links
Trailing Jade care
{{Taxonbar, from=Q11815594, from2=Q22108964
Epiphytes
House plants
rotundifolia
Flora of Brazil
Flora of Ecuador
Flora of Peru