This vigorous vine has slender stems that become woody with aerial rootlets at the nodes and forms a dense cover. It has heart-shaped leathery dark green leaves and the small white flowers appear in a spike in summer followed by red rounded fruit.t.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12 

Piper nigrum is naturally found from southern India to Sri Lanka growing in the understorey of tropical forests. It prefers well drained moist humus rich soils in a protected humid position with full sun to semi shade and is frost and drought tender. 

Black Pepper is grown for its lush foliage and its spreading habit. It is planted as an understorey ground cover or trained over structures in a tropical setting establishing in 2 to 3 years. It is also used as a spill-over in planter boxes or along retaining walls. Commercially it is grown for its fruit which is dried and grounded to a powder. ID 2950

Piper (PY-pur) nigrum (NY-grum)

Piperaceae (PY-per-AY-see-ee)
Peppers