Pepper Tree Plant: How to Care for Pepper Trees

Pepper trees are members of the Anacardiaceae plant family and are notable for their drupes (bunches of pink to red berries). Despite what their name might suggest, these trees do not produce black pepper—that distinction belongs to the Piper nigrum plant. Instead, the ground-up pink fruits produce a false pepper that people occasionally blend in with the genuine spice because of its similar yet distinct flavor profile. Some pepper trees have toxic qualities similar to poison sumac, poison oak, or poison ivy. The trees act as noxious weeds in certain areas, so it’s advisable to handle them with care.

The two most common types of pepper trees hail from Peru and Brazil. Peruvian pepper trees (Schinus molle) produce trademark pink peppercorns. You can also find these trees in Argentina and Paraguay. They’re especially common in California, which is why some people call these Peruvian plants California pepper trees. Another common name is the Peruvian mastic. These trees are generally safer to grow in a home garden than their Brazilian counterparts.

Brazilian pepper trees (Schinus terebinthifolia or Schinus terebinthifolius) boast a high level of toxicity—think a milder version of poison oak or poison ivy. Limiting accessibility to the trees can help to prevent any mishaps from occurring. Regulators label them an invasive species in Florida, Hawaii, and Texas. You can try treating them with an herbicide if they begin growing beyond your control. Despite their invasive tendencies, the pink and red berries on these vibrant evergreen trees can make the plants visually appealing.

Treat pepper trees with ample consideration and care to help them thrive. Here are five tips for growing a pepper tree:

1. 1. Consider your climate. The US Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zone Map indicates pepper trees can survive a winter in USDA Zones 8–11. This means they will do their best in consistently temperate and warm ecosystems but can handle some cooler climes, too.
2. 2. Give the tree light. Due to their origin in sunny South America, these trees do best under the light of full sun. If you treat them to enough light, they can reach heights of up to fifty feet.
3. 3. Handle with care. Make sure to treat these trees with a watchful eye. Pepper trees can be a visual delight in your garden, and their berries can serve as a spicy alternative or supplement to black pepper—but they have a tendency toward toxicity and an inclination to be invasive. Consider cordoning off a specific section of your garden for them at first.
4. 4. Meet the tree’s water needs. While pepper trees are drought-tolerant, you should ensure their soil is constantly moist. This helps their shallow root systems extend out properly after the seeds germinate. But avoid waterlogging the ground and ensure they make their home in a well-draining environment.
5. 5. Prune when possible. These trees love to sprout foliage, and you’ll need to trim it back to keep the plants manageable. This has the added benefit of helping whatever grows back to be fuller and lusher than what sprouted before.

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