Bring a dash of the tropics to your space with the Black Pepper Plant (Piper nigrum). This climbing vine treats you to glossy, heart-shaped leaves and, with a bit of patience, clusters of peppercorns you can dry and grind fresh at home. It’s compact, trellis-friendly, and perfect for bright rooms, patios, or small urban gardens.
Let it climb a moss pole or trellis for a lush, vertical display. The delicate flower spikes mature into green berries that turn red as they ripen—your cue to pick and process for fragrant, kitchen-ready pepper.
Black Pepper Plant Care
Give bright, indirect light or gentle morning sun with afternoon shade; aim for 6–8 hours of strong, filtered light. Keep temperatures at 65–85°F (18–29°C) and avoid drops below 55°F (13°C). Maintain 60–80% humidity with a pebble tray, humidifier, or frequent misting. Plant in a rich, free-draining mix (potting soil with fine bark and perlite), slightly acidic at pH 5.5–6.5. Water when the top 1 inch feels dry; soak thoroughly and let excess drain.
Feed every 3–4 weeks in spring through early fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer at ¼–½ strength; flush with plain water monthly to prevent salt buildup. Tip-prune after harvest to encourage branching and keep vines tidy. Best outdoors year-round in USDA Zones 10–12; in cooler zones, grow indoors or move containers inside before nights dip below 55°F. Expect flowering and fruiting in 2–3 years with consistent warmth, light, and humidity.
Black Pepper Plant Spacing
Specimen: allow a 3–4 foot spread at the base and keep 18–24 inches from walls for airflow and training access.
Trellis/row plantings: space vines 3–4 feet apart on center along a fence, arbor, or wire.
Containers: start in an 8–10 inch pot with large drain holes; upsize to a 12–14 inch, 10–12 inch deep container as roots fill.
Provide a 4–6 foot support initially, planning for 8–10+ feet over time. Indoors, place 2–3 feet from a bright window or 12–18 inches below a grow light, and keep 18 inches clear from walkways for harvest room.
Why Grow Black Pepper Plant?
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Fresh, homegrown peppercorns you can dry and grind on demand
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Vertical, space-smart vine that thrives on trellises and poles
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Container-friendly and ideal for small spaces with bright, indirect light
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Lush foliage and dainty flower spikes for tropical style and year-round interest
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Straightforward care once warmth and humidity needs are met
Bring one home to elevate both your greenery and your pantry. Train the vine, enjoy the foliage, and savor freshly cracked pepper from your own plant.
- SKU:
- EDB-TRO-BLP-LGL
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations