Water
Water thoroughly when the top 5-7 cm of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in winter, allowing the soil to dry out more between waterings.
Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, as this tree is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
Also known as American Pepper · Brazillian Peppertree · California Pepper Tree
Safety note: This plant may be toxic to humans and pets. See toxicity details.
Peruvian Pepper Tree (Schinus molle) is an evergreen tree with weeping branches, fragrant foliage, and clusters of pinkish-red berries. It's drought-tolerant and widely u
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering.
Moderate
50% intensity
Allow soil to dry between waterings. Drought tolerant once established.
Well-drained, sandy loam
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers warm climates, but can tolerate light frost once mature. Protect young trees from severe cold.
Outdoor
50% intensity
Low
25% intensity
Fertilize sparingly; established trees rarely need it. Over-fertilization can cause weak growth.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | Yes 3/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | Yes 3/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
Mildly toxic to pets and humans if ingested in large quantities. Fruits and leaves can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water thoroughly when the top 5-7 cm of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in winter, allowing the soil to dry out more between waterings.
Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, as this tree is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
Prune to shape the tree, remove dead or crossing branches, and manage size if needed. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Light trimming can be done throughout the year to maintain its form.
Propagate from seeds sown in spring, which may require stratification. Cuttings taken in late spring or early summer can also be rooted, though success rates can vary.
Grafting is another method for specific cultivar retention.
Young trees may benefit from repotting every 2-3 years in spring to refresh soil and provide more space. Mature trees are generally best left in situ as they dislike root disturbance and can grow quite large, making repotting impractical.
Identify plants like this with ePlant
Snap a photo to get care tips and match similar species on the go.
Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Peruvian Pepper Tree (Schinus molle)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| kingdom | Plantae |
| division | Tracheophyta |
| class | Magnoliopsida |
| order | Sapindales |
| family | Anacardiaceae |
| genus | Schinus |
| species | Schinus molle |
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data