Peperomia prostrata

Compact ground cover: Peperomia prostrata

The Peperomia prostrataalso known as “turtle herb”, is a delicate, creeping plant that provides lively accents in terrariums. It originates from the tropical regions of South America, where it grows on the ground in dense rainforests and prefers shady to semi-shady spots in its natural habitat. Its decorative, rounded leaves are green with fine, net-like markings reminiscent of the shells of small turtles – hence its apt name.

With its vigorous, climbing habit Peperomia prostrata is perfect for greening areas in the terrarium or climbing gently over branches and stones. It remains compact overall, but achieves a beautiful density through its runners, creating a harmonious, lifelike overall appearance.

The plant is very uncomplicated to keep in a terrarium. It prefers a high humidity between 70 and 90 % and thrives optimally at temperatures of 20 to 28 °C. As it does not tolerate direct sunlight, a location with indirect light is completely sufficient. For healthy growth, we recommend lighting with approx. 800-1,200 lumenswhich reproduces their natural environment well.

Due to its compact growth, the Peperomia prostrata usually only reaches a height of 5 to 10 cmbut grows in width with its tendrils. This makes it ideal for both smaller and larger terrariums, especially in combination with mosses, ferns or other tropical plants.

The plant is also very easy to care for: a loose, well-drained substrate is sufficient and regular spraying provides the necessary moisture. Waterlogging should be avoided as the fine roots react sensitively.

With its unique leaf pattern and gentle, creeping growth, the Peperomia prostrata is a wonderful choice for adding structure and naturalness to the terrarium – whether as a ground cover or as a climbing accent.