Peperomia rotundifolia

Peperomia rotundifolia, also known as jade necklace, trailing jade, string of turtles, creeping buttons and round leaf Peperomia, is a trailing plant species of peperomia native to the tropical rainforest of South America. It was first described by Carl von Linné, and got its current name from Carl Sigismund Kunth. Peperomia prostrata is a very closely related species that has dark green leaves variegated with silver linings, giving them a turtle-like appearance. 'Prostrata' is usually labelled as 'rotundifolia' and is oftentimes confused for the latter (such as 'prostata' being sold as 'rotundifolia'). Though 'prostrata' is regarded as one of the dozen synonyms of 'Peperomia rotundifolia'. In addition to the nominate form, there are also the subspecies, ovata, pilosior, subelliptica, subglabrilimba and obcordata. It has hanging shoots and very small, thick and fleshy, succulent, button-like leaves that may entwine and weave in and out of each other. It has the smallest leaves among the cultivated peperomia species. It grows quite quickly, about 10 cm per year. Lighter-coloured green veins are noticeable within the darker green leaves. An epiphyte, the plant grows in a tropical forest on trees in its homeland and it can also be found crawling on rock cracks, rotten logs and the forest ground as well, where it booms on moisture and shaded conditions. Their USDA hardiness zone is 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C). The plant does best in hanging baskets, where it can cascade and also 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. 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.