Last Updated on October 18, 2021 by Guillermina
Growing black pepper plants indoors is a good idea. Especially if you use black pepper a lot for cooking, having your plant will have you an unlimited supply of natural pepper.
You will love the mélange of white, red, and black corns. The mix can be pricey when you buy in-store but today, you can take a leap of faith and have your pepper plant in your own home.
Yes, growing black pepper is possible, and here is a little more information about this plant to guide you in your gardening journey.
All About the Black Pepper Plant
Pepper is a very popular spice not just in India but throughout the world. It is often paired with salt and can be found on almost every household’s table in the United States. Black Pepper has popular health benefits such as the following:
- Increases nutrient absorption
- Improved heart
- Alleviate hypertension
- Promotes healthy cell growth and digestion
- Acts as an anti-inflammatory agent
- Enhances the immune system
The beauty of the black pepper plant is not just about its taste-enhancing capabilities. It brings a lot of benefits to your health, which is why many people also choose to have their pepper plant in the home.
Just a tip, pepper is native to South India. It loves hot tropical weather and has been in cultivation for over 2, 000 years. If you live in a region with temperate weather, growing black pepper plants indoors would be your option.
Things To Note When Growing Black Pepper Plants Indoors
Dark Pepper Plant Growth Habit
Dark Pepper has a vining propensity so it fills well in a bushel or a pot with a stake or lattice for help. Join the stems to the lattice so the plant climbs without any problem.
Peppercorn Plant Light Requirements
In its local propensity for southern India, Black Pepper is an understory plant that ascensions up trees and fills in dappled light. When developed as a houseplant, it needs moderate light in an east or west window and it ought to be set straightforwardly on the windowsill or near your light source whenever filled in a light nursery.
It benefits from some immediate daylight however not blistering afternoon sun. During springtime or summertime, you may bring your pepper plant outside. During the winter, you can bring your plants back inside your home.
Optimal Temperature For Black Pepper Plant
On the off chance that you are hoping to streamline your blossoming and fruiting, giving daytime temperatures above 70°F (20°C) is great. Dark Pepper fills best in temperatures above 60°F (15°C).
Blossoming Your Peppercorn Plant
The blossoms begin developing at the leaf hubs of new development. The little white blossom’s structure pendulous spikes and afterward little, round, green peppercorns structure in chains, which in time mature to red. Development dials back in the colder time of year, yet it will leafy foods all year. The pepper plant can create a plenitude of peppercorns in a pot as little as 8-inches.
Tips for Growing Black Pepper Plants Indoors
Mulch the soil well.
If you have grass clippings, you can use them too since they are good for black pepper plants. Mulching the soil will help smoothen the soil so the roots can grow well.
Water carefully.
When watering your black pepper plant, do not pour the water directly. It helps if you use a manual plant sprinkle. Or you can improvise an unused tub. Black peppers have sensitive roots. They can grow two inches per week and with proper care, you can grow healthy black peppers.
Don’t leave the water bone dry.
If your soil is too dry, there is a high tendency that your black pepper will not taste good. Hence, you need to monitor your watering carefully. Keep your watering frequency as balanced as possible.
Use the right fertilizer.
You can find a lot of pepper plant fertilizers online. Normally, the pepper plant doesn’t need fertilizer. But if you want it to grow faster and bear more fruits, you can put some. Look for a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen to help your bell pepper grow without affecting the rate of fruit production.
Always check for pests.
Growing black pepper indoors makes it prone to aphids and flea betters. These garden pests normally love peppers. If you find that your pepper plant is infested with these insets, you can use organic insecticides such as neem oil. Neem oil is a natural pesticide that helps keep your plants safe from.
Read more about Growing Coffee Beans Indoors
Growing Black Pepper Plants Indoors and Harvesting It
So how do you know when to harvest your black pepper? When harvesting your black pepper, you don’t need to wait until all berries have matured.
Look closely at the spikes on your black pepper plant. You need to pick any that have mostly green berries, with 1-2 berries turning brighter color. Don’t expect your black pepper plant to ripen altogether. All the berries have different maturity stages.
Note that black pepper is made from pepper berries that are just barely starting to mature. If you pick the ripe berries, your finished product will not turn black.
Remember, don’t pick the berries. But pick the spike then leave them under the sun after harvesting. Keep the spikes intact and do not remove the berries. The pepper needs to be fermented and then dried. This helps breaks down the components of your black pepper to create a better black color.
Get a container where you can store them. With a single pepper plant, you can already fill a 500ml gram of whole black peppercorn. How amazing is that? Now you can enjoy an unlimited supply of black pepper whenever you need it. If you place your black pepper plant in the kitchen, you will enjoy a black pepper