Peruvian Pepper Tree
Schinus molle
Also known as Pepper Tree, California Pepper Tree, Pink Peppercorn Tree
Climate Match for your location
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A graceful, fast-growing evergreen tree with feathery, fern-like foliage and delicate small white flowers followed by colorful pink to reddish berries. Highly drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in warm, arid climates and is often used as an ornamental or screening plant.
Why grow it
Schinus molle outperforms many ornamental trees in water-limited settings, establishing with minimal irrigation in zones 9-11. Its fine-textured foliage and informal branching habit offer visual softness compared to stiff screening conifers, while the berries provide late-season color without heavy fertilizer demands. It grows faster than many comparable drought-adapted species, making it useful where rapid canopy establishment matters.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent water during establishment (typically the first growing season) despite eventual drought tolerance. The root system can be shallow and somewhat aggressive near paving or irrigation infrastructure, so plan spacing accordingly. Fruit drop and litter from the berries may require seasonal cleanup in manicured settings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
Native Range
Peru and South America
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Torrey Pines' is a common cultivar with a more compact form. Most plants in cultivation are similar to the species type, valued for their ornamental weeping habit and drought tolerance.
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A graceful, fast-growing evergreen tree with feathery, fern-like foliage and delicate small white flowers followed by colorful pink to reddish berries. Highly drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in warm, arid climates and is often used as an ornamental or screening plant.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Peruvian Pepper Tree grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Schinus molle outperforms many ornamental trees in water-limited settings, establishing with minimal irrigation in zones 9-11. Its fine-textured foliage and informal branching habit offer visual softness compared to stiff screening conifers, while the berries provide late-season color without heavy fertilizer demands. It grows faster than many comparable drought-adapted species, making it useful where rapid canopy establishment matters.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent water during establishment (typically the first growing season) despite eventual drought tolerance. The root system can be shallow and somewhat aggressive near paving or irrigation infrastructure, so plan spacing accordingly. Fruit drop and litter from the berries may require seasonal cleanup in manicured settings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
Native Range
Peru and South America
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Torrey Pines' is a common cultivar with a more compact form. Most plants in cultivation are similar to the species type, valued for their ornamental weeping habit and drought tolerance.