A popular spice used in cooking, peppercorns come from a climbing vine that thrives in warm, humid climates and can reach a height of up to 13 feet. Adding an ornamental touch to your garden, the peppercorn plants boast heart-shaped dark green leaves and grow small white or greenish flowers, eventually producing clusters of green berries. These turn red as they ripen into peppercorns.
Growing peppercorns is a great way to produce your own spice at home. But peppercorn can be more challenging to grow than many herbs in a kitchen garden. This is because peppercorn hails from tropical regions, where the plant grows naturally in the forest’s understory. But it can be done! And if not in the ground, then in containers. Ahead, we chatted with an expert to find out how to best grow and care for this wonderful and unique garden addition.
Julia Omelchenko is a resident botany expert at Plantum, an app that helps identify plants
and improve plant care.
How to Grow Peppercorn Plants from Seed
One way to grow peppercorn is from seed, which you can purchase from a garden center. “Make sure the seeds are fresh, as old seeds often lose their viability and may not germinate,” says Julia Omelchenko, resident botany expert at Plantum.
- Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the seed coat.
- Plant the seeds just below the soil surface, about 1/2 to 1 inch deep.
- Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to promote germination.
If you live in USDA zones 11 to 12, you can grow peppercorns in the ground. “In cooler climates, these plants can be grown in containers,” says Omelchenko. These you can keep indoors in a kitchen garden.
How to Care for Peppercorn Plants
Follow these tips to ensure your peppercorn plants stay happy and healthy.
Soil
Peppercorn plants do best in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. “You can improve soil fertility by adding organic compost,” Omelchenko says. “Avoid planting peppercorns in heavy soil, as this can lead to root rot.” Finally, if your soil is heavy or full of clay, add in some sand along with compost to improve drainage and aeration, she adds.
Sunlight
These plants thrive in bright, filtered sunlight, but they can also handle partial shade. “Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while insufficient light can slow growth and reduce berry production.” Your best bet might be growing peppercorns in the shade of taller trees or areas with diffused sunlight. If growing peppercorn plants indoors, indirect light is ideal.
Water
Peppercorn plants need frequent watering, but be careful not to overwater. “Avoid over-drying the soil completely,” says Omelchenko. Between waterings, let the topsoil dry out slightly before watering again.
Fertilizer
Peppercorn plants don’t need much in terms of fertilizer. “During the active growing period, you can apply balanced fertilizers formulated for flowering plants with slightly higher levels of potassium and phosphorus and lower levels of nitrogen,” says Omelchenko.
Temperature and humidity
Peppercorn plants are sensitive to cold. They will stop growing if temperatures drop below 64 degrees Fahrenheit. “The optimal temperature range should be between 73 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.”
As a climbing vine, peppercorn also needs some kind of structure for support.
Kinga Krzeminska / Getty Images
Types of Peppercorn Plant
The different colored peppercorns you find in stores aren’t actually different varieties of peppercorn. “They’re berries of the same pepper, harvested at different stages of ripeness and processed in different ways,” says Omelchenko.
- Black Pepper: This is made from green berries harvested before they ripen. The berries are sun-dried until the skin forms a wrinkled black layer. The dried berries can then be ground into a fine gray powder.
- Green Pepper: Known for its milder flavor, green pepper is made from unripe berries. They can be dried without direct sunlight, used fresh, or preserved.
- White Pepper: White pepper is made from ripe berries that have had their flesh removed after soaking in water. “This type of pepper has a mild flavor and is a popular choice in light-colored sauces, as it doesn’t visibly stand out like black pepper.”
- Red Pepper: Known for its fruity, sweet flavor, red pepper is made from ripe berries with their red skins left on. “They’re dried using methods similar to those for green pepper.”
How to Prune
Pruning your peppercorn plants will help encourage future growth. Regularly remove any damaged or dead leaves to keep your peppercorn plants healthy. Additionally, prune some of the vine’s shoots or trim back overgrown ones to control the plant’s height and width.
How to Propagate Peppercorn Plants
Peppercorn plants can be propagated from seeds, cuttings, or offshoots.
- Propagating from seed: Take a ripe red berry from your plant and soak it in water for 24 hours before planting it, says Omelchenko.
- Propagating from cuttings: Snip a 6- to 8-inch long section from the vine, remove the lower leaves, and then place the cutting in a container filled with clean, tepid water, says Omelchenko. Keep the cutting in a
warm, humid spot until roots develop, and then plant it in soil. - Propagating from offsets: Bend a low branch of the peppercorn plant to the ground and cover the base with soil. “Over time, the buried part will produce roots, and you can then separate the new plant from its parent and transplant it,” says Omelchenko.
Growing Peppercorn Plants in Containers
If you live outside of zones 10 to 11, you will need to grow peppercorn plants inside in containers. To do so, make sure to opt for a pot with drainage holes and place a layer of clay pebbles at the bottom. Use a potting mix formulated for flowering plants, and consider adding compost, perlite, and coir to it, says Omelchenko. Place stakes in the container for support as the plant grows.
Container-grown plants usually benefit from more frequent watering, says Omelchenko. “This is because the soil in the pot dries out faster, so give your plants a drink once the topsoil gets dry, but avoid under- or overwatering.” Feed the pepper plants during the growing season, but stop fertilizing in fall and winter.
Additionally, you should maintain high humidity around the plants by misting them regularly or using a humidifier. “If you live in a cold climate, bring the container indoors when temperatures drop below 59 degrees Fahrenheit,” she says. And then be sure to keep the plants away from drafts and air conditioners. Otherwise, they will get too cold.
How to Repot
As a slow-growing vine, peppercorn can live in hanging pots for a long time before being repotted. If your plant does need repotting into a larger planter, gently remove the plant from the container and repot being sure to use enough planting mix that the roots are completely covered.
Common Problems With Peppercorn Plants
Root rot is the most common disease that affects pepper plants. “It causes the roots and the lower part of the stem to soften and rot, which can eventually kill the plant,” says Omelchenko. To prevent this issue, make sure the soil drains well and avoid overwatering and waterlogging.
Pests can also be a problem for peppercorn plants. Generally, aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites are attracted to peppercorn. These can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, but you’ll need to be persistent with your applications.
How to Harvest Peppercorns
There are a few different ways to harvest peppercorns. First, you can harvest the fruits when they are still green for a mild flavor. Or get common black pepper by harvesting the berries once they turn red, which means they are ripe. Let the peppercorns dry in the sun or a dehydrator for at least three or until they are black and hard. (For white pepper, remove the red husk before drying.) Store in an airtight container and grind when ready to use.
