Brazilian Pepper Plant Care

Brazilian Pepper (Schinus brasiliensis) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Schinus genus. Brazilian Pepper is native to South America, specially in Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, and the Cerrado vegetation of Brazil. Brazilian Pepper is also known as Christmas Berry, Pepper Tree.

Brazilian Pepper displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 25 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Brazilian Pepper produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Brazilian Pepper every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Brazilian Pepper thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Schinus brasiliensis tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Brazilian Pepper prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Brazilian Pepper to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Brazilian Pepper every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Brazilian Pepper is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Brazilian Pepper can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 25 ft (8 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Brazilian Pepper while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Brazilian Pepper is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Brazilian Pepper can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pepper tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Brazilian Pepper is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Brazilian Pepper grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Brazilian Pepper is native to South America, specially in Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, and the Cerrado vegetation of Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Brazilian Pepper as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.