*growers choice
Peperomia axillaris
Peperomia axillaris
The Taco Plant
Family: Piperaceae
Genus: Peperomia
Species: Axillaris
Cultivars: Normal, Roho
Common names: Taco Plant, Taco Tree, Prayer Pepper, Navada Taco
Difficulty: Low
Description: This succulent adjacent plant has light green leaves that are shaped like a taco! The leaves have a matte finish on the taco shell and the filling section is shiny. It grows these tacos on spikes that resemble a ristra of tacos. This plant is so fun!
Size: Up to 1 foot tall and 6 inches wide. Our mother plant has gotten up to 18 inches tall!
Light: Bright light indirect light. A south or west facing window is preferred if not grown under grow lights.
Water: Forgiving with drought but can lose some of its lower leaves. Water deeply only when the soil has dried up to 75%.
Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 50 degrees.
Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air.
Soil: A rich quick draining mix that doesn’t retain water too long is ideal. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1-part coarse perlite, 1 part sand.
Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis. If using grow lights, fertilize year-round. If using only natural light, fertilize from May to September.
Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing it to dry completely between waterings.
Native to: South America.
Toxicity: This plant is considered non-toxic and non-poisonous to humans and all animals. We do not recommend eating houseplants, though.
Companion animals: This plant will do well in any arid habitat. Avoid heavy bodied animals that would crush the spikes. It is edible, so as long as you aren’t concerned about the animal eating the entire plant, it can be housed with herbivores and omnivores.