Black Pepper Plant – Piper nigrum

(Question)

I started a black pepper plant (Piper nigrum) from a cutting about 1.5 years ago. The vine has been outside during the summer in an area with stippled sunlight and is growing well.

I now see a small growth in two areas of the plant at leaf nodes. The photos shows one of these small growths. I was wondering what the small growth is (eg. air root, flower, something else)?

Thanks for your assistance.

(Answer)

Thanks for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners. I can’t be completely sure from your photo but it looks to me like those growths on your black pepper plant are the beginnings of flower stalks which will hopefully be followed by the fruits. This is not an easy achievement with this tropical plant in our climate!

Here is a link to our response to a previous question about Piper nigrum which has lots of information that you might find helpful.

Peppercorn plant

Continued success with your black pepper plant !