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Herbaceous PerennialConservatory Greenhouse

Piper auritum

hoja santa

P. auritum is 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

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Cream Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Piperaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under heated glass in a 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

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in heat in early spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 11 under glass; outdoors cut down to ground in late autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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