The question of whether pepper grows on trees, vines, or shrubs is a common source of confusion, largely due to the variety of plants whose fruits are called “pepper.” The clear answer is that the two main sources of culinary “pepper”—the spice and the vegetable—do not grow on trees. The true peppercorn, the most widely traded spice, is the fruit of a climbing vine. Conversely, the chili and bell peppers familiar in produce sections grow on shrub-like plants. This linguistic overlap has created a single term for botanically distinct plants.
True Peppercorns Grow on Vines
Black, white, and green peppercorns all originate from the fruit of a single plant species, Piper nigrum, which is a flowering perennial woody vine. This tropical plant thrives in hot, humid climates and is native to southern India. The vine is a vigorous climber, using adventitious roots to attach itself to supports like poles or trellises, reaching heights of up to 13 feet.
The different colors of peppercorn are derived from the same small fruit, called a drupe, harvested and processed at different stages of maturity. Black peppercorns are the dried, unripe fruit, which shrivels and turns black during drying. White peppercorns are the fully ripened fruit that has had its dark outer skin removed, leaving only the inner seed.
Green peppercorns are picked while still immature and are typically preserved in brine or dried quickly to maintain their color and fresh, less pungent flavor. The spiciness in true pepper comes from the chemical compound piperine, which is distinct from the capsaicin found in chili peppers.
Chili and Bell Peppers Grow on Shrubs
The second major group of plants referred to as “peppers” belongs to the Capsicum genus, which includes sweet bell peppers, jalapeños, and cayenne peppers. These plants are botanically unrelated to the true peppercorn vine, belonging instead to the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Capsicum plants are typically classified as shrubs or subshrubs, growing as small, bushy plants.
While they are often grown as annuals in temperate climates, in their native tropical environments, many Capsicum species are perennial and can develop into woody, shrubby herbs. For example, the Tabasco pepper plant, Capsicum frutescens, is a multi-branched plant that grows in a shrub form, reaching heights of four to six feet.
The common species Capsicum annuum, which yields bell peppers and many chili varieties, appears as a small, branched shrub, usually reaching a height between one and five feet. These plants produce their fruit, which is botanically a berry, from small flowers on their branches.
Other Spices Mistaken for Pepper
The persistent idea that pepper grows on trees likely stems from several unrelated spices that are commonly called “pepper” but originate from trees. These substitutes are not true peppercorns but are used due to their similar appearance or pungent flavor profile. The most common example is the pink peppercorn, which is the fruit of the Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle) or the Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius).
These trees are in the cashew family and are completely separate from both the Piper and Capsicum genera. Another example is the Sichuan peppercorn, a spice that provides a unique numbing sensation and comes from the Zanthoxylum tree. In these cases, the name “pepper” is a historical or descriptive label applied to the spice, despite the plant’s growth habit being that of a tree.