The name peperomia might not roll off your tongue, but you could get lost in this wonderful genus of tropical plants native to Mexico, South America, and the West Indies. With more than 1,000 known species, these hearty plants boast thick, fleshy leaves that contribute to their drought tolerance and vigor. If you haven't experienced much luck with flowering houseplants, you will appreciate that the peperomia sports foliage that is highly ornamental in its own right—its leaves can be textured or smooth; red, green, gray, or purple; variegated, marbled, or solid; large, heart-shaped, or tiny.
Plants in the peperomia genus can look so different from one to the next that it's difficult to discern if they are even related. But one thing all peperomia plants have in common is that they are slow-growing, can be planted all year long, and are low maintenance.