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Schinus areira

Pepper tree

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun

Temperature

20–37 °C

Soil pH

6–8

Hardiness

Zone 9–12

Click count

224

Observations

GBIF → Wikipedia →

Description

Source: leafsnap

Schinus molle (Peruvian pepper, also known as American pepper, Peruvian peppertree, escobilla, false pepper, rosé pepper, molle del Peru, pepper tree, peppercorn tree, California pepper tree, pirul (in Mexican Spanish site), Peruvian mastic, Anacahuita o Aguaribay and Pepperina) is an evergreen tree that grows to 15 meters (50 feet). It is native to an area from the Peruvian Andes to southern Brazil. The bright pink fruits of Schinus molle are often sold as "pink peppercorns" although S. molle is unrelated to true pepper (Piper nigrum). The word molle in Schinus molle comes from mulli, the Quechua word for the tree. The tree is host to the pepper-tree moth, Bombycomorpha bifascia.

Care Guide

💧 Water

☀️ Light Full sun

Peppercorn Tree is native to open habitats, like sunlit meadows and forest margins, which offer plenty of light. It does best in Full Sun but can endure Partial Sun, showing good adaptability to different sunlight levels.

Ideal: Full sun

🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Peppercorn Tree adapts well to temperature, able to withstand higher heat and wide temperature fluctuations. In hot conditions, it’s important to monitor watering and provide some shade to avoid sunburn. Conversely, Peppercorn Tree is relatively sensitive to cold. While it can tolerate a certain amount of chill, very low temperatures can cause frost damage.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C

💨 Humidity

Humidity:

🪴 Soil 6-8

Soil pH: 6-8

🌱 Fertilizer

Timing is essential for fertilizing the Peppercorn Tree. Apply fertilizer in early spring and continue once a month until early summer. Fertilizer encourages attractive blooms and supplies energy during both dormant and active growth periods.

🪴 Pot & Repot

✂️ Pruning

🌿 Propagating

🐛 Diseases & pets

☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type: Tree
Life Cycle: Perennial
Genus: Schinus
Family: Anacardiaceae
Hardiness Zone: 9-12
Mature Height: 10.06 m to 14.94 m
Mature Spread: 7.92 m to 11.89 m
Leaf Color: Light Green, Olive Drab
Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen
Flower Color: White
Flower Size: 0.25 cm to 0.51 cm
Bloom Time: Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer
Planting Time: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time: Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Native Area: Brazil, Bolivia

Tags (6)

Adaptable to poor soil Difficulty Easy Drought tolerant Maintenance Low Wildlife attractor Salt tolerant

Common Names (1)

en Pepper tree