Also known as Cigarette Plant · Monkey Pepper
Piper tuberculatum is a shrub native to the Neotropics, known for its distinctive leaves and medicinal properties. It thrives in warm, humid environments.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch leaves.
Moderate
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist, allowing top inch to dry slightly between waterings.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers average room temperatures between 18-24°C (65-75°F). Avoid cold drafts.
Moderate
50% intensity
Feed with balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half during growing season.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering frequency during cooler months, but never let the soil become completely dry.
Overwatering can lead to root rot.
Prune Piper tuberculatum to maintain its desired shape and size, and to encourage bushier growth. Remove any dead, damaged, or leggy stems.
Pruning can be done at any time of year, but is best performed in spring before active growth begins. Use clean, sharp tools.
Propagate Piper tuberculatum from stem cuttings. Take 4-6 inch cuttings from healthy stems, remove lower leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in a moist, well-draining potting mix.
Cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity and place in a warm, bright location.
Repot Piper tuberculatum every 1-2 years or when it becomes root-bound. Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one. Use a well-draining potting mix, such as a peat-based mix with added perlite.
Repotting is best done in spring before the start of the growing season.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Piper Tuberculatum (Piper tuberculatum)
Where Piper Tuberculatum (Piper tuberculatum) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Piperales |
| Family | Piperaceae |
| Genus | Piper |
| Species | Piper tuberculatum |
Similar in genus Piper
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
