Piper nigrum aka Pepper

Piper nigrum, or black pepper, belongs to the pepper family, Piperaceae. It supplies the peppercorns used as a kitchen spice. Kew lists Sri Lanka as its native range. Missouri Botanical Garden also includes southern India in that range. Growers raise it across many warm, wet tropical regions. This evergreen vine lives for many years and has woody stems.

In gardens, it grows about 10–15 feet (3–4.57 metres) tall. Its spread can reach the same size. Useful Tropical Plants gives a cultivated height of 10–13 feet (3–4 metres). Wild plants can reach about 30–33 feet (9–10 metres). Roots that grow from the stems grip nearby plants. A tree, frame or trellis gives the vine support. Its dark green leaves have an oval shape and heart-shaped base. Veins spread from the base like fingers from a palm.

The flowers are yellow-green, and bloom timing varies with the season. The round fruits turn red as they ripen. Each fruit measures about 4–6 millimetres across. Drying and grinding the fruits produces black pepper. Removing their outer coats produces the milder white pepper. Growers also pickle green fruits for use as a relish. Oil from the seeds serves as a food flavouring. Plants start bearing after three or four years. They may take seven years to reach full crop yield. Indoor plants seldom bear fruit.

Give this vine warmth, shelter and bright light without harsh sun. It grows well in partial shade beneath taller crops. Use rich soil that drains well, with moderate watering. It prefers soil that is slightly acid to neutral. Missouri Botanical Garden places it in USDA zone 12. Houseplants do not tolerate winter temperatures below 50°F (10°C). Outside the tropics, grow it in a greenhouse or conservatory. A pot with a trellis also suits indoor growing. Young plants can grow in hanging baskets. Pots can move outdoors during warm summer months. Missouri Botanical Garden recommends frequent misting of the leaves.

The leaves give gardens green cover through winter. Flowers and fruit also add interest where warmth allows outdoor growth. Root rot, pepper weevils and pepper flea beetles can cause harm. Indoor plants may attract aphids and mealybugs. Cuttings are easy to root and serve as the main commercial method. Traditional medicine uses the seeds for digestive complaints and other ailments. Fruit oil also adds a spicy scent to perfumes. Powdered berries have a use against clothes moths. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known hazards.