Cordyline fruticosa

A very elegant member of the peperomia family, peperomia Polybotrya “raindrop” is

an easy to care for plant that is native to the regions of South America, Colombia, and Peru.

The name of this plant is attributed to its deep green and waxy, almost tear-shaped leaves. This plant tends to grow upright to a maximum height of 15 inches and tends to be compact depending on the amount of sun it receives.

This plant, like other Peperomia varieties, produces inflorescence in the form of a spadix (resembling a rat tail). These flowers grow when the plant is mature as well as when the plant receives the right type of care.

Watermelon peperomia is an evergreen tropical perennial related to pepper plants. The botanical name of watermelon peperomia contains the word ‘argyreia’ which literally means “silvery”— referring to the stripy markings on its oval green leaves and ‘watermelon’ in its common name because its fleshy leaves resemble the rind of a watermelon.

Because of its leaf shape, peperomia watermelon also has the common name watermelon begonia. The term radiator plants come from the fact that the small, compact houseplants love warm air and plenty of indirect sunlight. However, native to tropical and sub-tropical climates, peperomias—including watermelon peperomia—thrive in humid conditions.