Mystery houseplant - can anyone name please?

My grandmother gave me this plant when it was a baby, probably about five or six years ago, but she couldn't remember what it was or where she got it from. I've tried to show the underside of the leaves as well but the photos aren't all that clear I'm afraid - the leaves have a few tiny raised spikes (or maybe they're pores?) on the underside.
I haven't seen it anywhere else and don't know if it has any particular care needs, although it's done fine so far! But mostly I'm just curious to know what it is and see if I can find out more about it. I'd be very grateful for any help!

 

Hi Clare75. You don't say if this flowers or not, so assume not.

The leaves are very reminiscent of a Tropaeolum majus (Nasurtium) but I'm not saying that is what it is!

Is it a trailer/climber or just a bendy-over plant?

 

Hi LoL and thanks for replying.
I forgot to say about flowers - it has never had any and I've had it a few years so I assume they don't... I also forgot to say that it's around 25cm or 10" tall.
It should be upright, rather than a climber or trailer, it's sort of got a "trunk" in the middle - the weird shape is my fault, I think it got a little bit squashed last time I moved, then started growing towards a window before I could straighten it up.
I can see what you mean about nasturtiums - I'm growing some of those too actually - the leaves are similar in that the stalks join the leaves near the middle on the underneath of the leaf. The leaves are quite thick though, and waxy-shiny.

 

I know this plant! I used to have one- I'm racking my brains for the name. It's one of those plants which were around a lot in the 60s.

 

Ooooh great! Thanks Liz, hope the name comes to you.

 

I've gone through all my houseplant books, which include two American ones, and find nothing similar although it does look familiar.

My first thought was a Swedish Ivy but I don't think the leaves are quite right and you have said it's upright so that counts that out!

Come on, Liz, get in gear ...

 

I think it's a variety of Peperomia, not very popular houseplants these days. I'll prod the grey matter for it's other names as I have grown it in the past.

 

Thanks guys... If it was popular in the sixties, I wonder how long my nan had had it? And does this make me behind the times or amusingly retro?

Never mind, I think it's lovely anyway!

Ahah! Thanks for the suggestion - I think this is it! http://www.wildchicken.com/nature/garden/ga008_a_chinese_puzzle.htm

 

Well done you, Claire 75! Looks like it to me! I have nine Pilea pictured but not this one.

As usual, strongy, you were on the right track ... but then you should be as it's your business!

 

Oh - I thought I looked up peperomia and it was one... :$ happy accident i guess! and definitely strongylodon's post that led me there, so thanks again

So does "pilea peperomioides" mean "pilea that looks like a peperomia"?

It is weird how plants that are in the same group can sometimes look so different - i've just looked up some other pilea as I'd never heard of them before, and they look totally different to my plant!

 

I looked up Peperomia in my Dr Hessayon indoor plant spotter book yesterday,but wasn't sure because of the trailing habit of your plant.My book is the 1985 addition,so I am not sure if updated books show a photo like yours.

 

beautiful plant: I'll definitely own one sooner or later...

 

Thanks all!
I think they're lovely plants and so easy to look after, it's strange that they went out of fashion. Shiney, I agree about the propagation, my house is gradually filling up with baby peace lillies and these!
Miraflores, I'll happily send you one of the babies if you want to PM me an address I can send it to, already promised one to another member here - well, if I can work out how to protect it in the post!
I'm so pleased to have found out what it is and a bit about the history of the plant too, so many thanks to everyone who helped (or tried to remember what it was called), I really do appreciate it - I've been wondering about it for years!

 

What a relief - I have been suffering from brain strain- I kept looking up money plant and coming up with the Jade plant! I really like their odd leaves.