California Pepper Tree

California pepper tree’s picturesque, weeping appearance is a familiar sight in warm regions of California.

Fun fact- although it’s commonly thought to be a California native, it’s actually from the Andean region in South America. It just so happened that it easily naturalized itself in so many parts of California.

California pepper trees are heat and drought-tolerant and require practically no maintenance in cities like San Diego and Riverside. However, in the Coachella Valley, they do require some care, such as supplemental watering, during the hot summer.

Botanical name: Schinus molle

Other names: American pepper tree, Peruvian pepper tree, false pepper tree, molle del Peru, peppercorn tree

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The California pepper tree is a graceful, weeping, evergreen tree.

Grows quickly to about 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide. The oldest California pepper tree in California was planted in Oceanside in 1830 and is about 60 feet tall.

The dark brown trunk becomes dark gray and gnarled as it gets older.

Bright, shiny, long, and narrow leaflets that grow in pairs on a pinnate leaf.

Tiny whitish or greenish-yellow flowers grow on both male and female pepper trees.

Followed by small, round, red, and aromatic fruits (peppercorns) that only grow on female trees.

Pests: California pepper tree has minimal pests, which include thrips and scales.

To remove thrips, blast them off with water or use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Repeated application is necessary to disrupt their life cycles.

To remove scales, pick them off or use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Horticultural oil will kill both crawlers and adults with direct contact. Insecticidal soap is better used to target only the crawlers.

Whenever using any kind of pesticide, be aware that it can damage the plant if the temperatures are in the 80s or above.

Signs of overwatering: Drooping, squishy texture, weak branch growth, leaf drop

Signs of too little water: Shriveling, drying skin, leaf drop

Signs of too much sun: Burning, scarring, fading color

Signs of too little sun: Etiolation, discoloring, lack of flowers

Obtain seeds from ripe fruit on the branches.

How much does a California Pepper tree cost?

At our nursery, a California pepper tree costs $120 for a 15-gallon container, $250 for a 24-inch box, $500 for a 30-inch box, $750 for a 36-inch box, and $2,500 for a 48-inch + box.

Prices are subject to change. Please contact us for the most up-to-date information on pricing. We may have larger sizes available. We provide installation services locally at a separate cost.

Do California pepper trees produce peppercorn?

Yes, California pepper trees produce pink peppercorn. It is not the same fruit used for commercial black pepper, which is from piper nigrum.

Why is my california pepper tree not producing fruits?

If your tree is mature and healthy, it’s because you have a male California pepper tree. Only the female trees fruit.