About
A tender shrub that can be grown outdoors as a herbaceous perennial. It has very large, heart-shaped, aromatic leaves and flowers resembling cream rat's tails in summer.
About the genus
Piper may be shrubs, climbers or small trees. The leaves vary from narrowly-oval to rounded and may have a pungent aroma. The flowers, with no petals or sepals, appear in narrow spikes, followed by single-seeded fruit
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow under heated glass in a peat-free, loam-based compost with added sharp sand in bright, filtered light with high humidity. Outdoors grow in moist, well-drained soil in a sheltered position in light shade
PruningPruning group 11 under glass; outdoors cut down to ground in late autumn
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in heat in early spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free