Piper auritum

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Herbaceous Perennial Conservatory Greenhouse

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

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Piperaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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 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

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