Happy Bean Prayer Pepper

Happy Bean Prayer Pepper (Peperomia ferreyrae 'Happy Bean') is a small clumping peperomia that stays around 20cm tall and spreads to as much as 25cm. Its bright green leaves fold lengthways into little troughs, each with a darker strip down the middle that acts as a window and lets light in, so it grows in shadier spots than most houseplants. It is a tidy, easy pick for a windowsill, terrarium or sheltered rockery pocket.

Why you'll love it

• Leaves with a window. The darker strip along each leaf lets light in, which is why the plant keeps growing in dappled shade.
• Compact and tidy. A small clump of upright, folded leaves fits a desk, shelf or shared bowl.
• Light on watering. It prefers the mix to dry a little between drinks, so a missed week does little harm.
• Lime yellow flower stalks. Contented, mature plants send slender stalks up above the foliage.
• Pet friendly. Peperomias are generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Where it works best

Windowsills, desks and shelves. Give it bright, indirect light and a small pot. In bright light the clump stays dense, while in filtered light the stems stretch taller.

Terrariums and shared bowls. Each plant spreads 10 to 25cm, so allow about 15cm between plants in a bowl or terrarium.

Rockeries and shaded patio pots. In tropical and subtropical gardens it suits a sheltered rockery pocket or a pot under cover, out of direct sun.

Growing Happy Bean Prayer Pepper in Australia

Position and climate. Bright, indirect light or dappled shade suits it best, and hot afternoon sun will mark the leaves. It wants a steady, frost free temperature, so most Australians will grow it indoors, with outdoor planting limited to tropical and subtropical gardens.

Soil. A good quality potting mix that holds some moisture but drains freely, with a handful of perlite or coarse sand. It prefers to be slightly potbound, so resist the urge to move it into a large container.

Water and feed. Water lightly with rainwater or filtered water when the top of the mix has dried. Less is better than more, because soggy mix rots the roots. A quarter strength liquid feed once a month in spring and summer is plenty.

Pruning. Almost none. Snip off a tired leaf at the base or a spent flower stalk. Repot only when the roots fill the pot, and go up just one pot size.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Happy Bean Prayer Pepper as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small starter rather than a finished clump, so pot it into a snug container of fresh mix soon after unpacking and keep it bright and only just moist.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full peperomia range
• More pet friendly indoor plants
• Indoor plant tips for beginners
• How to keep indoor plants alive

Common questions

How often should I water it?

Water when the top few centimetres of mix feel dry, then let it drain fully. If in doubt, wait another day.

Can it live outdoors?

Only in frost free climates, in a pot or sheltered pocket out of direct sun. In cooler regions it is an indoor plant.

Is it safe for pets?

Peperomias are generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs. A chewed plant can still upset a stomach, so keep it out of reach of keen nibblers.