Does anyone know what this plant is called and how to take care of it

Luanne Riedl
by Luanne Riedl
  14 answers
  • KattywhampusLOL KattywhampusLOL on Aug 24, 2017

    Luanne, Good Evening ... It reminds me of a variegated peperomia (like my Aunt used to grow in her home). I can't say for certain though. I am sending you a link that describes the different types of peperomia plants:

    http://www.costafarms.com/plants/peperomia

    • See 2 previous
    • KattywhampusLOL KattywhampusLOL on Aug 28, 2017

      Luanee you are very welcome :) I grew up helping my aunt water her peperomias, but when she died years ago her daughter took them with her to her own home in another state. I haven't seen peperomias for over 12 years. Seeing that picture you posted brought back a flood of memories :) thank you :)

  • Kathy Kathy on Aug 24, 2017

    It's a variegated rubber tree house plant . They like bright indirect light , it looks like maybe it got too dry ? And in a pot that's a bit big for it


    • Luanne Riedl Luanne Riedl on Aug 27, 2017

      Thank you very much. I appreciate your help. The pot is a lot smaller than it looks.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 24, 2017

    That is a varigated rubber tree plant. indirect light and make sure there are drainage holes and keep on the dryer side. The leaves retain the moisture.

  • Lamar Havard Lamar Havard on Aug 24, 2017

    Looks like a ficus or a red tip.

  • Lisa Richards Lisa Richards on Aug 24, 2017

    It looks like it's in the Coleus family, this may help.

    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/coleus/

  • Lamar Havard Lamar Havard on Aug 24, 2017

    4 - 6 hours of sunlight and 10-10-10 mixed at 1/4 tsp. per gallon

  • Dana Dana on Aug 24, 2017

    It's a croton. It's an indoor plant or patio plant. It likes the sun, but not direct sun because they can get sunburned.

  • Dana Dana on Aug 24, 2017

    Coleus is a shade plant.

  • Dana Dana on Aug 24, 2017

    The more indirect sunlight they get, the redder they can get and they are beautiful.

  • Nicole Nicole on Aug 27, 2017

    It might be an Ahoia plant. Not sure about the spelling. Nicole

  • Sylvia case Sylvia case on Aug 28, 2017

    that is a jelly peperonia.


  • Elaine Elaine on Aug 28, 2017

    It might be a Hoya Plant ... they originally came from Hawaii. It also is sometimes referred to as Wax Plant; it's very easy to look after and a slow grower. I kept mine in bright light, watering "well" once a week. (Watering "well" means: take the plant to the sink, water until it comes out the drainage holes then once the dripping stops, put the plant back in its outer/decorative pot.). Watering well promotes healthier root growth. When I moved, I gave my Hoya to a neighbor and much to her (and my) surprise, it bloomed!!! The blooms are large clusters of pretty pink flowers with a lovely scent. I wish you luck and hope - if this is a Hoya - that you get blooms too! When new leaves appear, they often have pink edges (or cream edges) then the leaves usually turn green.

  • Elaine Elaine on Aug 28, 2017

    You are very welcome, Luanne. After reading some of the kind readers who have responded, I can tell you that it is definitely NOT a Croton (they hail from Hawaii too, if I recall) nor is it a Coleus. Don't keep it too damp. I suggested watering once a week, Luanne, BUT I forgot to say to first feel the soil. If it's still dampish, leave it a few days then check again - you may find the plant only needs watering say, every ten days. It depends on what type of soil it's presently in, so just use common sense and feel the soil.


    Re misting, I'm inclined to mist plants such as a fern, ivy or spider plant but plants, (such as your Hoya/Wax Plant) have thicker leaves and I find those are better off being just gently wiped down with a semi-wet paper towel to remove surface dust. I think I'd shy away from misting too much because you don't want to run the risk of rot or mildew forming on the soil. Hoya's don't mind getting "almost dry" before the next watering.


    I just noticed you live in Florida. Just be careful to give it bright light but not direct sun in case it burns and/or fades out the pretty leaves. Good luck! If you have time, go on Google and type in Hoya (or Wax plant) and you will see the beautiful blossoms! 🙂

    • Luanne Riedl Luanne Riedl on Aug 28, 2017

      Thank you, Elaine. My friend brought me a clipping from Connecticut and it had no roots which it why I have been misting it. It hasn't had any roots to drink up the water, so I've been trying to go through the leaves. I have a Croton and I know that it isn't one of those. It only gets some indirect sunlight. I'll keep the wateri down to every ten days. I'm hoping that I can keep it alive. It's growing ever so slowly, but it has gotten two new leaves.

      My croton on the other hand is doing great. Thank you for your valuable information.

  • Elaine Elaine on Aug 29, 2017

    I'll keep myfingers crossed for you, Luanne! Good luck!