Black pepper (black pepper) is a flowering vine known for its fragrant fruit and spicy aroma. This plant is best grown in tropical climates, but can adapt to drier or colder climates. As long as black pepper is grown in warm temperatures, in partial shade, and has a trellis for vines, it will thrive. Plant, care for and harvest peppers properly so that the plants can produce the healthiest fruit possible.
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Part 1 of 3: Growing Black Pepper
Step 1. Choose a place with a temperature of 25-30 °C
Black pepper is native to tropical climates and will thrive at temperatures of 25-30 °C. If the temperature drops to 16 °C, the plant will begin to die.
- Black pepper can be grown indoors or in a greenhouse if you live in a cooler climate.
- Indonesia is an ideal place to grow black pepper. If you're not sure which growing zone you live in, just look it up online.
Step 2. Find a partially shaded place to plant black pepper
Black pepper requires indirect sunlight for 6-8 hours per day. Choose a spot in the garden that gets partial sun and partial shade during the day, or place the plant near a window that gets regular sunlight.
If you live in an area with a climate that tends to be cloudy, buy grow lights for plants
Step 3. Drive the trellis into the soil where the black pepper is planted
As the pepper grows, the vines can reach a length of 4.5 meters. The trellis can keep the vines from being trampled on. Dig two holes to place the posts at least 8 cm from the plant and press the trellis legs firmly into the ground. Follow the trellis installation instructions so that it sits firmly in the ground and supports the pepper vine.
Pepper can also be used as a hanging plant in its first years when the plant is young and the vines are not very long
Step 4. Plant black pepper in well-drained soil
Black pepper will thrive in rich, well-drained soil. To check if the soil drainage is good, dig a small hole about 30-45 cm wide and 30-45 cm deep in the garden, then fill it with water. Count how many seconds it will take for the hole to absorb all the water. If the time it takes is around 5-15 minutes, it means that the soil drainage is good.
- Use a pH test strip to make sure the soil you are using has a pH between 5.5 and 7.
- Add compost, sand, silt, peat, or loam to make the soil dry well.
Step 5. Soak pepper seeds for 24 hours before planting
Hard and dry seeds are less responsive to soil nutrients. So, fill a small bowl with water and soak the pepper seeds for at least a day before planting.
- Nail warm water or room temperature is suitable for soaking pepper seeds. The type of water doesn't matter – tap water can also be used.
- If you prefer to grow peppers from stem cuttings, you don't need to soak the pepper stalks first.
Step 6. Dig a hole 0.5 cm deep in the soil
If you are growing peppers from seed, the seeds should be buried about 0.5 cm below the soil surface. Plant stem cuttings or seeds in the soil. Bury the seeds or the base of the stem with soil so the plant gets the nutrients it needs to grow.
Step 7. Spacing between seeds or cuttings of black pepper as far as 2.5-5 cm each
If you are planting several seeds/cuttings of pepper, leave about 2.5-5 cm of space for growing. After the seeds/cuttings are planted, moisten the soil by spraying water from a spray bottle.
Step 8. Plant black pepper seeds indoors if you live in a cold climate
Fill a seedling tray or container with soil and plant the peppercorns 0.5 feet below the surface. Spread the seeds about 10 cm from each other. Water immediately after planting. Place the seeds indoors for about 30 days before moving them outside.
Keep the soil and seeds warm and moist for 30 days indoors. Placing the seeds near a heat source will greatly aid growth
Part 2 of 3: Watering and Caring for Black Pepper
Step 1. Water the plant as often as 2-3 times a week
Black pepper needs moist soil and will thrive when watered a few times a week. In hotter climates, plants need to be watered more often. Stick your finger into the soil to check the moisture level. If the soil feels dry or hot, water it.
Better to use lukewarm water or room temperature. Do not use cold water as black pepper is sensitive to cold temperatures
Step 2. Fertilize the pepper every two weeks
Apply fertilizer twice a month to keep the plants healthy and strong. Purchase organic fertilizer from the store or make your own compost to give plants additional nutrients. Spread the fertilizer around the black pepper with a hoe or hand so the plant can absorb the nutrients.
- The amount of fertilizer used depends on its content. Read the instructions for use as you fertilize the plant to determine how much pepper is needed.
- Black pepper plants are best given liquid fertilizer.
Step 3. Mulch around the plant twice a year
Black pepper has a network of fibrous roots and can absorb organic nutrients well. Mulching every 6-8 months will keep the soil moist and reduce temperature fluctuations during the day and night.
- Organic mulch made from grass clippings, leaves, or manure is perfect for black pepper.
- Bury the mulch at least 5–10 cm below the soil so the plant roots can fully absorb the nutrients.
Step 4. Spray insecticide on plants to kill mealybugs or Tingidae (lace bugs)
The body of the Tingidae is rectangular and black in color with horn-like protrusions on the shoulders. Meanwhile, mealybugs are white and round with many small legs sticking out from the sides of their bodies. If you see any of these insects on your pepper plants, spray them with a non-toxic insecticide at a dose according to the directions on the product packaging.
- Signs of damage from Tingidae are: brown or black discoloration, wilting, or graying of the peppers.
- Signs of mealybug damage: poor or stunted plant growth, damaged pepper berries, and gray mold.
Step 5. Don't over-water so the plant doesn't wilt
Quick or slow wilting is a common disease that afflicts peppercorns and can progress to root rot if left unchecked. Stick your finger into the soil before watering. If the soil feels muddy or water fills the holes left by your fingers, don't water the plants.
Watch for signs of excess water, such as yellow or brown leaves, wilted tendrils, moldy roots, or blisters or lesions on the plant
Part 3 of 3: Harvesting Black Pepper Fruit
Step 1. Wait 2-3 years until the plants can be harvested
Black pepper usually does not bear fruit until several years after planting. Once fully mature, the plants will flower and form fruit clusters.
Just buy mature black pepper plants if you want a faster harvest
Step 2. Harvest the black pepper fruit after it turns red
When ready to be picked, the color of the pepper fruit will change from green to bright red. Carefully pick the fruit from the plant one by one. Do not pick unripe fruit. Bring a container with you when you harvest peppers to put the fruit in.
Not all peppers will ripen at the same time. You will most likely have to harvest them in a few terms during one harvest season
Step 3. Dry the peppers in the sun for 7-9 days
Spread the peppers on a flat surface such as a baking sheet and place them in direct sunlight. Dry the black pepper fruit on the outside until the skin shrivels up, turns black, and forms a tough, crunchy texture.
Step 4. Grind the fruit to make black pepper
Use a mortar and pestle or pepper grinder to make delicious, fresh herbs from your garden. If you don't like ground pepper, just use whole pepper to spice up soups or sauces; or ground pepper to season the meat.
Step 5. Store black pepper in a dry and cool place for up to 4 years
Black pepper can last up to 4 years as long as it is stored in an airtight container. After 4 years, the peppers are still safe to eat, but the taste may have faded.
To check if the peppers are still good, crush one fruit with your hands and sniff it. If the aroma is weak, the taste may have faded
Tips
- Check the local weather forecast to make sure the temperature doesn't drop below a number suitable for pepper growing.
- Plant black pepper near a fence or trellis for support as the plant grows taller.
