How to Grow Black Pepper (Peppercorns)

Young Peppercorn Plant (Piper nigrum)

Black pepper, Piper nigrum, is a tropical plant that is grown for black pepper, white pepper, and red peppercorns. The three colors of peppercorns are different stages of the same peppercorn.

Things You'll Need

• Piper nigrum (black pepper) plant

Instructions

1. Pepper is a warm growing plant that will stop growing when below 65F and will not tolerate any amount of frost. Fortunately they make very good container plants.

2. Pipers like to be in partial to full sun with 50% or better humidity (although they do fine below 50%) Plants should be watered thoroughly when soil appears dry.

3. Pipers are moderate to light feeders and should be fed with a 10-10-10 fertilizer 1/4 tsp per gallon every 1-2 weeks (discontinuing in the winter)

4. For peppercorn production, pipers should be grown under bright light and kept warm. They are vining in nature and slow growing. It will take a couple of years before they start producing flowers then peppercorns.

5. Pipers are not prone to insect problems. The only disease problems are due to root diseases. It is important to keep pipers warm (above 65F) and to not keep wet or allowed to totally dry out.

Tips & Warnings

• Pipers make very nice house plants