Black Pepper
Piper nigrum
Black pepper is a perennial climbing vine that produces hanging spikes of small berries, dried to make peppercorns. It needs warmth, humidity, shade and a support to climb, and grows well on a tree trunk or moss pole in humid areas.
Photo: Yercaud-elango · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Partial sun, Bright indirect light
Watering
Moderate
Keep the soil moist but well drained; water more in dry spells.
Soil
Rich, well-drained soil high in organic matter; pH 5.5–6.5.
Temperature and humidity
12–38 °C · High humidity
Feeding
Feed with compost and a balanced fertilizer before and after the monsoon.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings, layering
Tie the main vine to its support. Remove side shoots near the ground.
Peppercorns are safe as a spice.
Top Cultivation Tips
Plant at the base of a tree or a tall coir pole.
Dry green berries in the sun for black pepper.
Soak and rub ripe berries for white pepper.
Shelter from cold winds.
Common problems
Collar rot
A soil-borne fungal rot at the base of the stem, where it meets the soil, that causes plants to wilt and collapse.
How to treat it →DiseaseLeaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →PestScale insects
Immobile, shell-covered insects that cling to stems and leaves, draining sap and weakening trees and houseplants.
How to treat it →
