Are you looking for stunningly beautiful and patient houseplants? Then it would be best to look into “the string of” plants. Peperomia Pepperspot or Ruby Cascade are two of the best choices in this plant group.
With their small, green leaves and uncomplicated care requirements, you will enjoy watching them grow and trail.
Both plants are semi-succulents and look somewhat similar to each other. This is why it becomes difficult to set them apart.
If you want to easily distinguish them, keep reading this Peperomia Pepperspot vs. Ruby Cascade comparison. We will shed more light on their differences, basic features, and care requirements.
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What is Peperomia Pepperspot?
Peperomia Pepperspot is a member of the “string of ” group, which includes a collection of lovely trailing plants. Botanically, Peperomia Pepperspot originates from the Peperomia genus, which is part of the pepper plant family.
This plant goes by the name “string of coins.” It is not a big plant; it only grows up to 30 cm long. Peperomia Pepperspot is also a slow grower.
It is native to the tropical forests of Brazil, Peru, and parts of Central America. Its common name, “string of coins,” precisely describes the shape of its leaves.
They are small and rounded, similar to coins. The leaves are deep green with brownish-red backsides. Peperomia Pepperspot leaf stalks are never green. They are usually pink or light red.
This plant looks best when it grows as a trailing vine. Make sure to hang it properly and allow it to cascade. Peperomia Pepperspot is easy to look after. It requires warm and humid environments.
Peperomia Pepperspot likes medium-filtered natural light. It thrives best when it is at least 50% humid. As for water, this plant likes moisture. So keep it hydrated without turning its soil soggy.
What is Peperomia Ruby Cascade?
Peperomia ruby cascade falls into the category of semi-succulent plants. This does not mean this plant is a drought-tolerant vine. It is only a plant with a bit of juicy foliage.
Like the Peperomia Pepperspot, this plant thrives in tropical areas of South and Central America.
It is also a member of the Piperaceae plant family, which includes the Peperomia Pepperspot plant. It is a slowly-growing vine that takes years to mature.
As the name suggests, this plant grows best as a cascading vine. Despite its compact size as an upright plant, it can trail for many feet.
The secret behind the popularity of this plant is the presence of two colors on its leaves. The leaves have a deep green color on their surfaces, while their backsides are red or sometimes pink.
The presence of two colors on both sides of each leaf makes the plant extra attractive.
It is better to place your peperomia ruby cascade near an east-facing window. Although it likes natural sunlight, it should not be directly exposed. You can use your curtains to filter the light.
It usually demands watering once every two weeks. However, the watering schedule could change to every 20 days depending on the plant’s size and the climate.
Differences between Peperomia Pepperspot and Ruby Cascade
When you look from a distance at both plants, they may seem similar. However, an expert eye can easily detect their differences. Their leaves show different details.
Also, their colors are somehow distinct. Their care requirements are the same, though.
1. Leaf shape
Both plants have small leaves, but their shapes are different. The leaves of the Peperomia Pepperspot are wholly rounded and shaped like coins.
On the other hand, the Peperomia Ruby Cascade has almost rounded leaves. They are, in fact, heart-shaped rather than round.
2. Leaf color
This is another defining factor in the Peperomia Pepperspot vs. Ruby Cascade comparison. The leaves of both plants are deep green.
On the other hand, the backsides of the Peperomia Pepperspot leaves are reddish brown. The Peperomia leaves are green on the upper surface and deep red or pink on the backside.
3. Stalk color
The stems and stalks of the Peperomia ruby cascade and the leaves may be colored differently. The leaf stalks and stems of the Peperomia ruby cascade are usually ruby red.
On the other hand, the petioles and stems of the “string of coins” are brownish red.
4. Leaf size
Another obvious sign that tells these plants apart is their leaf size. In general, both plants do not feature large leaves. However, the Peperomia ruby cascade leaves are larger than those of the string of coins.
The latter has leaves that are shaped and sized like coins. So, a mature leaf of the Peperomia Pepperspot is nearly 4 cm long, whereas that of the peperomia ruby cascade is almost 10 cm long.
5. Plant size
Peperomia Pepperspot and ruby cascades are pretty small plants. However, the Peperomia Pepperspot grows larger when they mature than the ruby cascade.
The mature size of the Pepperspot plant is between 30 and 38 cm long. Mature Peperomia ruby cascade, on the other hand, reaches a height of 13 cm.
Peperomia Pepperspot vs Ruby Cascade: are they the same?
No, Peperomia Pepperspot and ruby cascade are not the same plants. They have some common characteristics, leading to confusion, but they remain separate plants.
They descend from the same plant family and genus. Also, they have similar leaf colors and almost identical leaf shapes. Both plants are slow growers as well.
However, you can tell them apart by comparing their leaf sizes and shapes. The leaves of the Peperomia Pepperspot are smaller and perfectly rounded.
The leaves of the Peperomia Pepperspot are larger and more heart-shaped.
As for comparing their undersides and stalk colors, it is a bit tricky due to the presence of a red shade. The Peperomia Pepperspot, on the other hand, can be identified by its brownish-red color.
The color of the petioles and leaf undersides of the ruby cascade is always ruby or deep red. Last but not least, the Peperomia Pepperspot grows taller than the peperomia ruby cascade.
