How to grow Mountain Pepper in Australia
Mountain pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata), also called native pepper or Tasmanian pepperberry, is a native shrub from the cool, wet high country of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales. Its red stems and glossy leaves are attractive, and both the leaves and the black berries are used as a spicy, aromatic pepper. You need a male and a female plant for berries.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Mountain Pepper in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to September | Marginal. A cool climate rainforest shrub; lowland summer heat and humidity stress it, so only try it in a cool, shaded, moist spot or in the ranges. |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to September | Marginal. A cool climate rainforest shrub; lowland summer heat and humidity stress it, so only try it in a cool, shaded, moist spot or in the ranges. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to September | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to September | Native Australian herb; frost-hardy. Melbourne suits. Extend window. |
| Adelaide & SA | April to August | Plant Apr to Aug. A cool climate shrub, so it suits the Adelaide Hills; on the plains grow it in a pot in shade, in lime free mix, and keep it moist through summer. |
| Perth & WA | April to August | Plant Apr to Aug. Summer sun burns the leaves in Perth, so grow it in a pot or a shaded bed in lime free soil, mulch before summer and keep it moist. |
| Tasmania | March to May, September to November | Native to Tasmania. Plant Sep to Nov or Mar to May. Thrives in cool moist hill country. Grow the local pepper at home. |
| Canberra & ACT | March to September | Mountain Pepper is cold-hardy Australian native; plant spring-autumn; benefits from winter chill; slow-growing; long-lived. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not viable. Tasmanian cool climate rainforest shrub; fails in lowland tropical heat. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Tasmanian cool temperate rainforest native. Cannot survive Top End heat. |
Where to plant
Mountain pepper grows naturally in cool temperate rainforest, wet forest and high country, often under taller trees. In the garden it wants a cool, moist but well-drained spot in fertile, lime-free soil, with part shade or at least shelter from hot afternoon sun. It does not like drying out, so mulch well.
The plant is susceptible to Phytophthora root rot, so avoid soggy, poorly drained ground.
- Hobart and cool Tasmanian hill country: its home climate, where it thrives.
- Melbourne and Canberra: well suited; it is frost hardy and long lived. Give it shelter from hot summer sun.
- Sydney: best in the cooler upper suburbs and mountains, in part shade with regular summer water.
- Adelaide and Perth: plant in autumn or winter in a shaded bed or a pot of lime-free mix, mulch before summer and keep it moist. Summer sun burns the leaves. The Adelaide Hills suit it better than the plains.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: only worth trying in a cool, shaded, moist spot or in the ranges; lowland summer heat and humidity stress it.
- North Queensland and Darwin: not suited.
Choosing a variety
Mountain pepper has male and female plants. Only females bear berries, and they need a male nearby to set fruit. Male flowers are larger and more noticeable. Nurseries that grow plants from cuttings can sell them labelled male or female; seedlings cannot be told apart until they flower. If you only want leaves, either sex will do.
How to plant
- Plant in autumn or spring, in a sheltered, part-shaded spot.
- Dig compost or leaf mould into the planting area. Avoid adding lime.
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot and water in well.
- Mulch thickly with leaf litter or bark, keeping it off the stems.
- For berries, plant at least one male close to the female plants.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil moist all year, especially through the first summers and in hot, dry spells. Potted plants may need water every day or two in summer.
Feed lightly in spring with a low-phosphorus native plant fertiliser, or simply top up compost and mulch each year.
Pruning and care through the year
- Little pruning is needed. Tip prune to keep the plant bushy or to the size you want; the cut sprigs can be used in the kitchen.
- Protect young plants from hot, drying wind and strong afternoon sun.
- Watch for yellowing and dieback in wet soil, a sign of root rot.
Harvesting
Pick leaves at any time once the plant is growing well. They have more heat than the berries.
Clusters of small cream or pale yellow flowers appear in late winter and spring on female and male plants. On female plants they are followed by pea-sized berries that are shiny dark red at first and black when ripe. Pick the berries when they are black and soft.
Growing in pots
Mountain pepper grows well in a large pot at least 30 cm wide, filled with a lime-free native or acid-plant potting mix. Keep it in part shade, and water often in summer so the mix never dries out. Pots are the best option on alkaline soils and in hot, dry areas.
Using it
Use dried leaves and berries like pepper. The flavour is sweet at first, then aromatic and fiery. Dry leaves in a warm, airy place and crumble or grind them; dry the berries and grind them in a pepper grinder. Dried berries and leaves keep for a year or more in a sealed jar.
Propagation
Sow fresh seed, cleaned of its flesh, on damp potting mix and cover very lightly; germination takes about six to eight weeks. Semi-ripe cuttings taken in autumn are the way to know which plants are male or female, as cuttings keep the sex of the parent. Cuttings can be slow to root.
Companion planting
Mountain pepper suits a cool, shady bush food corner or a native garden under taller trees, which mimics its natural rainforest home.
Good companions
- Native plants Local native shrubs and groundcovers suit the same low-phosphorus care and help keep the soil cool and mulched.
- Finger lime Another bush food understorey plant that likes rich, moist, well-drained soil and some shelter, so the two can share a bed.
Pests and diseases
Mountain pepper has few pest problems. Poorly drained soil is the main risk.
Mountain Pepper is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Phytophthora Yellowing leaves, wilting and dieback in wet, poorly drained soil, as the roots rot. Plant in free-draining soil.
Common questions
Do I need a male and female mountain pepper?
Yes, for berries. Mountain pepper has separate male and female plants, and a female needs a male nearby to set fruit. For leaves alone, any plant will do.
How do I tell a male from a female mountain pepper?
Only when they flower: male flowers are larger and more noticeable. Plants grown from cuttings keep the sex of the parent, so buy plants labelled male or female.
Can I use mountain pepper leaves?
Yes. The leaves are used like pepper and have even more heat than the berries. Dry them and crumble or grind them.
Can mountain pepper grow in full sun?
It tolerates sun in cool, moist climates, but prefers part shade. In hot areas, afternoon sun and drying winds burn the leaves.
Can I grow mountain pepper in a pot?
Yes. Use a pot at least 30 cm wide with lime-free mix, keep it in part shade and never let it dry out.
What does mountain pepper taste like?
Sweet at first, then aromatic and peppery with a strong heat. Both berries and leaves are used in the same way as ordinary pepper.
Sources we checked: Gardening Australia: High on a Hill (Tasmannia lanceolata); Gardening Australia: Made for Shade; Understorey Network (Tasmania): Tasmannia lanceolata; RHS plant profile: Tasmannia lanceolata.