Read a commented pepper tree profile here with information on growth, leaves, flowers, fruit and beautiful Schinus species. The best planting and care tips with sowing instructions for indoor gardeners.
What is a pepper tree and how do you care for it?
The pepper tree (Schinus) is a genus of evergreen shrubs or trees from the sumac family. They come from Central and South America and are known for their pinnate leaves, yellowish-white flowers and red drupes. As houseplants they are easy to care for and decorative, but are not hardy outdoors.
Profile
- Scientific name: Schinus
- Family: Sumac family (Anacardiaceae)
- Genus: Pepper trees with 30 species
- Origin: Central and South America
- Growth type: shrub or tree
- Growth height: 9 m to 15 m
- Leaf: pinnate
- Flower: panicle
- Fruit: Drupe
- Toxicity: slightly toxic
- Winter hardiness: not hardy
- Use: houseplant, winter garden, summer balcony
Growth
With 30 species, the pepper tree forms its own genus within the sumac family (Anacardiaceae). In its Central and South American homeland, the evergreen tree is a common feature of the landscape. In this country, some Schinus species are recognized as impressive potted plants that present themselves all year round with these growth characteristics:
- Growth type: Large shrub or tree with evergreen, pinnate leaves, yellowish-white flower spikes and red, pea-sized drupes.
- Growth habit: depending on the species, multi-stemmed and upright or single-stemmed and overhanging.
- Growth height in habitat: 9 m to 15 m.
- Growth height as a container plant: 3 m to 10 m.
- Stem bark: grey-brown, initially smooth, with age deeply furrowed and gnarled.
- Ghorticulturally interesting properties: easy to care for, sensitive to frost, tolerates cutting, fertilizer required.
Video: Brazilian pepper tree in its homeland
Leaf
The pepper tree dresses its impressive crown in delicate leaves with these features:
- Leaf shape: petiolate, 15 cm to 30 cm long, pinnate with 7 to 27 leaflets.
- pinnate leaves: sessile, entire or serrate, ovate or linear-lanceolate depending on the species.
- Leaf color: shiny green
- Arrangement: alternate
- Special leaf properties: leaves crushed between the fingers exude an aromatic, spicy scent of pepper.
Bloom
The pepper tree thrives as a dioecious tree with separate sexes. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The following overview summarizes flower characteristics worth knowing:
- Inflorescence: terminal, richly branched panicle up to 20 cm long with numerous, small individual flowers.
- Single flower: short-stemmed, five-petaled, yellowish-white, double perianth
- Identifying feature of a single male flower: up to 10 stamens.
- Identifying feature of a single female flower: ovary on the short style.
- Flowering time: April to June.
Fruit
Decorative drupes with these attributes form on the female pepper tree in late summer and autumn:
- Fruit type: spherical drupe.
- Size: 4 mm to 6 mm in diameter.
- Color: green in the immature stage, later pink-red to dark red.
- Fruit ripeness: July to December (hence the second name Christmas berry for the Brazilian pepper tree).
- Stony Seed: a 3 mm reddish-brown seed in each drupe.
- Fruit properties: edible, aromatic, mild spiciness with a taste similar to juniper.
- Use: Pepper substitute, floristry (especially as a Christmas decoration), natural medicinal plant (antiseptic, diuretic, laxative).
The toxicity of pepper tree fruits is controversial. The ingredient that poses a he alth risk is cardanole. This chemical compound is also found in other sumac plants, such as the shells of cashew nuts. Considering a minimum concentration of 0.03 percent, pepper tree drupes would have to be consumed in large quantities in order to trigger mucous membrane irritation as a symptom of poisoning.
Pepper tree species
In Central Europe, these two pepper tree species have established themselves as extravagant potted plants:
| Schinus species | Brazilian pepper tree | Peruvian Pepper Tree |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Schinus terebinthifolia | Schinus molle |
| Synonym | Christmasberry | Pink Pepper |
| Growth height (potted plant) | 2 m to 5 m | 5 m to 10 m |
| Growth habit | multi-stemmed, upright | single-stemmed, overhanging |
| Leaf shape pinnate leaves | ovoid to obovate | linear-lanceolate |
| Flower color | white | yellowish |
| Fruit Color | red | pink |
| Short-term minimum temperature | 0° Celsius | -10° Celsius |
Planting a pepper tree
In Germany, you can only buy a ready-to-plant pepper tree sporadically in well-stocked specialist stores. Hobby gardeners are not discouraged by this and grow the exotic shrubs from seeds. Certified seeds (€2.00 on Amazon) are readily available for prices starting at €2.50 for 50 seeds. The following sections provide you with brief and compact information about successful sowing, expert planting technology and the right location:
Sowing
The window for sowing Schinus seeds is open all year round. The fresher the seeds, the lower the failure rate. How to sow pepper tree seeds correctly:
- Place seeds in lukewarm, boiled water for 24 to 48 hours.
- Mix seed soil and coconut soil in equal parts, add some sand and fill into seed containers.
- Sow moist seeds 5 mm to 10 mm deep and press down.
- Moisten the substrate with a fine spray of low-lime water (do not soak).
- Keep constantly slightly moist in a bright location in a heated indoor greenhouse at 18° to 24° Celsius.
- The germination time is 4 to 8 weeks.
Schinus seedlings are transplanted into individual pots about a month after germination and then cared for like adult shrubs.
Planting Tips
Plant the pepper tree in high-quality potting soil with coarse-grained additives, such as lava granules or expanded clay. The addition of coconut soil optimizes structural stability and creates an airy, loose consistency with excellent storage capacity for water and nutrients. Drainage on the bottom of the vessel allows excess irrigation water to drain away more quickly so that waterlogging does not form. A plant roller guarantees effortless mobility when the fast-growing pepper tree develops into a heavyweight.
Location
When choosing a location, the pepper tree demonstrates its adaptability. Ideally, the evergreen beauty travels through the seasons in order to grow in top form.
- Full sun to very bright location (partial shade and shade are tolerated with impairment of compact crown formation).
- From spring to autumn, preferably outside on the sunny balcony or the light-flooded terrace.
- Bright and frost-free under glass in winter.
- Available all year round in winter gardens, entrance halls, living and work rooms.
The dates for clearing and putting away are based on the minimum temperature of 0° Celsius for the Brazilian pepper tree. The Peruvian pepper tree can tolerate temperatures down to -10° Celsius for a short time, but should of course only be exposed to this cold shock in an emergency.
Excursus
Real pepper is a climbing plant
Pepper tree (Schinus) and real pepper (Piper nigrum) are not botanically related. We owe spicy peppercorns to a magnificent climbing plant that is native to Southeast Asia. There the real pepper plant with woody shoots climbs up mighty trees. Green and black pepper are obtained from unripe stone fruits. Ripe red berries are processed unpeeled into red pepper or peeled into white pepper. In comparison, the stone fruits on the pepper tree are primarily suitable as fruit decorations. Pepper producers occasionally mix cheap Schinus berries with expensive red pepper for visual reasons.
Care for pepper tree
Schinus only has drupes and leaves that are peppered, and in no way meets its care requirements. The water and nutrient supply is suitable for beginners. Species-appropriate overwintering depends on the conditions in the winter quarters. Repotting takes place annually or every two years, depending on the Schinus species. You can cut a pepper tree as you wish, except for a delicate area. It's worth taking a look at these care tips:
- Watering: Water the pepper tree regularly when the soil is dry to ensure constant substrate moisture without waterlogging (during stress the leaves trickle).
- Fertilizing: Add a liquid fertilizer for tropical potted plants to the water every week from April to September.
- Overwintering: Schinus species overwinter brightly and frost-free at 8° to 10° Celsius, maintain light substrate moisture, do not fertilize, spray leaves to prevent spider mites.
- Repotting: Peruvian pepper tree annually, Brazilian pepper tree repot every two years at the end of wintering.
- Pruning care: If necessary, thin out pepper trees and cut them in spring.
- Extra tip: When pruning, only cut the top bud on the dominant central shoot (stem) when no further upward growth is desired (see growth law of top promotion).
Under the influence of winter light, a pepper tree often sheds its leaves. This is no cause for concern. New growth begins in April/May.
Popular varieties
Pepper tree varieties are not yet available.
FAQ
Which watering water can you use for the pepper tree?
The quality of irrigation water is an important aspect of professional pepper tree care. In many places, water that is too hard flows from the tap, which is not good for exotic potted plants such as the pepper tree. Following Mother Nature's example, rainwater is perfect for a regular water supply. If you lack the means to collect rainwater in sufficient quantities, this trick will help: Hang a jute bag with peat moss in a full watering can for at least a day. After this period, the acidic peat has neutralized almost all of the lime in the water. You can reuse the useful bag up to three times.
How often do I water my pepper tree as a container plant?
Watering frequency is closely related to the season and local site conditions. For this reason, there is no general rule of thumb. Beginners in pepper tree care are advised to follow these guidelines: Keep the substrate continuously moist at a low level. Avoid waterlogging and dryness of the bales. Before each watering process, use your finger test to determine whether the top one or two centimeters of soil actually feels dry.
Are there any pests to worry about on the Brazilian pepper tree?
Essential oils are stored in the Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolia). These peppery substances keep most pests at bay. If the winter is too warm, a pepper tree can become a victim of spider mites or aphids. The best prevention is a place in a frost-free, cool winter quarter at 8° Celsius.
How to care for a pepper tree as a bonsai?
A pepper tree bonsai is easy to care for. Schinus species are equally suitable as indoor bonsai and cold house bonsai. Do not allow the substrate in the tray to dry out at any time of the year. From March to September, fertilize weekly with a liquid, organic bonsai fertilizer in double concentration. A pepper tree bonsai is repotted in spring every three to four years. With good care, the mini tree grows up to 10 centimeters per month. For a decorative appearance, cut the Schinus bonsai in early May, late June and mid-August.
