How To Grow And Take Care Of A California Pepper Tree

The Schinus molle, more commonly known as the California pepper tree or Peruvian pepper tree, is a Mediterranean-style, evergreen tree known for its mildly sweet and spicy fruit, the pink peppercorn. These shrubs can be identified by their close resemblance to the willow tree due to their drooping canopy that is shaped similar to an umbrella (per Canopy). In the spring, their canopy decorates itself with delicate white flowers that turn into bright red and pink peppercorn fruit by the end of summer. Year-round, the California Pepper tree retains its elegant leaves, but its grey trunk peels back to reveal a beautiful, red inner wood as the tree matures.

Britannica notes the California pepper tree is native to South America but gets its most common name for its excessive growth in California. Despite its ease of growth in California's climate, too many Peruvian pepper trees are present there, ironically qualifying them as an invasive species (per Gardenologist). They are very fast-growing shrubs and require very little maintenance for their magnificent and elegant stature. So, if you're looking for an easy, elegant, and edible touch to your garden, the California pepper tree is just the tree for you.

California pepper seeds can germinate and develop rather quickly in the right conditions. Their seeds are located no further than the fruit that hangs in bushels from the tree in the summer. SFGate mentions that these seeds should be soaked in lukewarm water for 12 hours before planting them into the soil. As they absorb the water, their germination process quickens. When the seed is ready for planting, place them ¼ to ½ inch deep into a seed starting tray filled with regular well-draining potting soil. Water the tray thoroughly and place in a warm, sunny spot until the seeds start to germinate. Once the plants reach 3 inches, they should be transferred to separate pots and continue growing there until they are strong enough to be replanted outside.

California pepper trees can also develop from cuttings. Hunker states that the cutting should be between 4 to 10 inches long and be taken from a healthy, more mature part of the tree. The lower portion of the cutting should then be cleared from leaves and stems and dipped into a root growth hormone. Then, place that end of the cutting firmly into a pat of well-draining soil and keep it warm and moist as the roots begin to develop.

There are two main varieties of the California pepper trees, according to Master Class. These two varieties come from Brazil and Peru. The Peruvian pepper tree, more commonly known as the California pepper tree, is the trademarked variety of the tree. They are the variety that produces the edible pink and red peppercorn fruits and are the most popular variety used in garden settings.

On the other hand, the Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolia/ terebinthifolius) is a huge, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that can reach a height of up to 33 feet. Short stems give rise to arched and thickly knotted branches. When crushed, the green leaves with a scarlet midrib emit a turpentine-like odor. Similar to the invasive label California pepper gained in California, the Brazilian pepper tree is also considered invasive to parts of Florida, Texas, and Hawaii. This tree has the same visual appeal as the California pepper tree but needs to be kept on high supervision with limited access due to its toxicity.

Although California pepper trees are mainly seen growing outside in gardens or their natural habitat, many varieties of the California pepper tree can also grow well in pots. Urban Perennials mentions that when placed in a pot on a sunny patio, the California pepper tree can grow just as well as in the ground. Growing the tree in a pot is also good for gardeners who live in cooler environments because they can simply place the container inside when the weather gets too cold for the tree.

When picking a pot for your California pepper tree, ensure it is spacious for the roots to allow the continuation of healthy growth for the tree. When you need to repot it, slide your tree out of the current pot and loosen up the roots. You can also loosen up the roots by adding water to the container right before removing the tree from it. Place a layer of soil or compost at the bottom of the new pot and center the tree inside. The tree's roots should be about 1 inch below the rim of the new home. Fill in all the gaps with more soil and pat it all down firmly. Finish off by thoroughly watering the plant, allowing the roots to settle, Tree2mydoor recommends.