Overview

Piper heydei is a climbing herbaceous perennial in the genus Piper, part of the Piperaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Piper heydei grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1b. Suggested uses include indoor ornamental.

About

Piper heydei is a climbing, herbaceous perennial in the Piperaceae grown chiefly under glass as a conservatory greenhouse plant. It carries evergreen foliage and climbs when given support. It prefers a south-facing, sheltered position in neutral loam that drains well. As an H1b plant it must be kept frost-free and used as an indoor ornamental in UK conditions.

About the genus

Piper, the pepper plants or pepper vines, is an economically and ecologically important genus in the family Piperaceae. The genus contains about 1,000–2,000 species of shrubs, herbs, and lianas, many of which are dominant species in their native habitat. The diversification of this taxon is of interest to understanding the evolution of plants.

Wikipedia contributors, "Piper (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Piper (plant)

In the garden

A member of the genus Piper and the family Piperaceae, Piper heydei is cultivated as a climbing conservatory greenhouse perennial with evergreen leaves. It spends active growth through spring and summer and is typically maintained indoors or in a heated glasshouse where frost is excluded. Give Piper heydei full sun in a sheltered, south-facing aspect and pot or plant it into a loam-based medium of neutral pH that drains freely. The H1b hardiness rating equates to tender in UK terms, so plants should not be exposed to freezing temperatures and are best kept inside or in a frost-free conservatory. Train the stems on a trellis, obelisk or support within the conservatory to make use of its climbing habit; this also helps the evergreen leaves create a screening or architectural element. Positioning the plant where it receives bright, direct light from the south will encourage vigour through spring and summer without exposing it to cold drafts from doors or open windows.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Piper

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H1b

Plant details

Piper heydei size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse

Habit

Climbing

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Indoor ornamental

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Piper heydei

Propagation

Stem cuttings

Pest resistance

Susceptible to scale insects

Disease resistance

Susceptible to root rot

Frequently asked questions