Mexican pepperleaf or root beer plant is an invasive herbaceous weed indigenous to Central and South America.
It thrives in locations with some shade and part sun, although it can tolerate more direct sunlight near the shore. You may fill your yard with a pleasant scent all day long by including this plant in your garden. This plant has several uses in both kitchens and medicines. Whenever you pass by a nursery, you can’t help but notice this plant because of how everyone is drawn to its fragrant leaves. This herb is used in Mexican cuisine as a wrapping agent for sweet foods. Many names for this plant are used, including Hoja Santa, holy leaf, and Mexican pepper leaf.
Characteristics
• Type: Herbs, Tropical and Tender Perennials
• Zone: 8 to 12
• Height: 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
• Spacing: 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
• pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
• Sun Exposure: Partial to Full Shade
• Common Names: Mexican Pepperleaf, Sacred pepper, Vera Cruz pepper, Root Beer Plant
Appearance
This plant originates in Tropical America and is a close cousin of Piper methysticum (Kava-Kava) and Piper nigrum (Black Pepper). It also thrives in the South Pacific. A large-leaved perennial that is valued for its leaves, which have a spicy, fragrant flavor and perfume that some compare to root beer and others to anise-clove. The enormous leaves of this plant, which in older specimens may reach a length of over a foot, make it simple to identify. In ideal circumstances, plants will extend out from their roots. Flowers have a long, lean, fluffy appearance and are white. They could give birth during a certain season. Outside of its natural habitat, the plant hardly produces many fruits. The leaves can be used whole to wrap meats, tamales, etc., or cut and used as a seasoning.
What Is the Use of a Mexican Pepperleaf?
From Mexico to South America, Piper auritum grows in tropical jungles, and its pungent leaves are utilized in a variety of dishes and medicines. Safrole, an ingredient in P. auritum’s leaves that gives them a spicy flavor, makes the plant useful as a condiment. Safrole, the substance that gives sassafras root beer its spiciness, is a known carcinogen. The Piper genus of plants is known for its therapeutic properties, and pharmacological research have shown that it contains a wide range of bioactive chemicals.
This plant, which is native to Mexico, has several uses. In many local recipes, steamed root beer plant leaves are utilized as wrapping. Moreover, the leaves can be sliced and used for dishes or salads. They are also used medicinally as a digestive aid and to soothe colicky infants. To enhance milk production, the leaves are applied to the breasts of women after being steeped in alcohol. It is useful for bronchitis and asthma.
How to Plant Mexican a Pepperleaf?
The root beer plant is strong and dependable once it has grown and will produce continually until the weather turns chilly. Plant in the sun or the shade and water sparingly too often. It is root hardy to around 10 °F (-12.22°C) therefore beneficial in USDA Zones 8 -11. Resistant to mild frost but knocked to the ground with temperatures much below 27 °F (-2.778°C) and then comes back in the spring. It may also be grown in containers and brought indoors to spend the winter. In this manner, you may always acquire leaves.
Give this plant some midday shade and some partial sun. Try it out; the plants may even survive in complete shadow. The leaves can droop from too much heat and dryness, but they will regrow after a thorough soaking or downpour. Strive for a pH of 5.6 to 6.5 in the soil. The optimum soil is sand or mild clay that drains easily but retains moisture. The roots of the root beer plant enjoy the water, but they don’t like to be in puddles.
How to Grow a Mexican Pepperleaf?
You must purchase root beer plant seeds from nearby retailers or online in order to grow the root beer plant. It is entirely up to you whether you want to grow them in gardens or in containers. Let’s continue with the steps to learn more about the root beer plant’s growth process:
- Step 1: Before transplanting the seedlings outside, you must first sow the seeds indoors for 7-8 weeks.
- Step 2: Spread the seeds out throughout the roof. Press it lightly.
- Step 3: Be careful not to cover them because they require light to germinate.
- Step 4: Maintain the soil’s hydration so that it does not become dry.
- Step 5: Start it with any sprayer and water the plants once the seedlings emerge.
- Step 6: Finally, prune the plant when it reaches a 12-foot IRS height.
Planting Mexican Pepperleaf Plant Seeds
Root beer plant seeds are available online and at local shops. Sow seeds outside in the garden or indoors in seed-growing containers. Before planting, wait until the spring frost has passed. Eight weeks before putting seeds outside, move them inside. Sprinkle the seeds sparingly over the top and softly press. Since root beer plant seeds require sunshine to grow, don’t cover them. Don’t allow the soil to dry up and be sure to keep it wet. Start by misting the area with a sprayer, and then water sparingly after you notice seedlings poking through. After the root beer plant is about 12 inches tall (30.48 cm), thin it out.
Although P. auritum is a tiny shrub, it can reach heights of up to 6 meters (almost 20 feet) in both its natural habitat and other tropical regions. Rhizome roots that sprout new shoots help the plant spread. In its natural habitat, rats, birds, and bats spread P. auritum seeds.
How to Grow Them in Containers?
If you live in a cooler climate, having a root beer plant in a container is a good option. In this way, you may shift it when the temperature drops. If the plant’s roots have grown too far, repot it every two years. Replanting should be done in a slightly bigger container with new potting soil after removing the plant and trimming away any dead or damaged roots.
As the weather begins to chill off and you are approaching winter, bring the pot inside. Root beer plants do nicely inside throughout the winter. The root beer plant multiplies quickly in the garden, which is another good reason to grow it in a container. It will take over a space if you don’t stay on top of removing undesirable spread.
Tips for Growing Mexican Pepperleaf Plants
- The plant needs fertilizer every six to seven weeks. Since organic fertilizer will keep the plant’s leaves green, try to apply some.
- Despite the fact that these plants love water, you shouldn’t overwater them. As they become dry, water them.
- Be cautious to maintain soil moisture.
- You need to cut them off after the plant reaches its full height and starts to get lanky.
Caring for Mexican Pepperleaf
They prefer soil with plenty of organic content that drains properly. In case the pot is too tiny, transplant it in the middle of spring. Regularly mist the substrate with lime-free water to prevent both flooding and full drying. They cannot withstand drought. Compost or manure should be applied once in the autumn and mineral fertilizer should be used twice, once in the spring and once in the early summer.
How to Prune a Mexican Pepperleaf?
In zones 8 and 9, if you cut your plant severely in the winter, it will grow back in the spring and summer. This keeps your landscape neat and the growth and spread under control. If necessary, cut and clean up the plant in warm climates where it doesn’t die back in the winter. Depending on the weather, it could shed some of its leaves or it might stay evergreen all year.
Common Problems with Mexican Pepperleaf
There are a few things to look out for, but there aren’t many pests or illnesses that want to harm your growing root beer plant. Strong winds and hail can harm the foliage because of the size and fragility of the leaves. The plant won’t necessarily die in harsh weather, but the leaves may be damaged to the point where they drop off and you won’t obtain a crop. Aphids, mealybugs, and mites can attack them if they experience drought. Maintaining a healthy plant is the greatest method to stay away from them. Keep your garden well-watered and avoid over fertilizing. Rubbin’ alcohol can be used to brush the insects. If you have a severe infestation, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Is the Mexican Pepperleaf Plant Toxic?
P. auritum, which frequently gets mistaken for Piper methysticum (Kava-Kava), possibly has some properties that are comparable. Several reports claim that it could be toxic. In certain areas of the Pacific, it has been used as a tranquilizer at customary social gatherings and in cultural and religious events to reach a higher state of consciousness.
However, because it includes the oil safrole, which is known to be carcinogenic in animals, the FDA banned its commercial usage as a root beer flavor in the United States in the 1960s. Safrole is also a significant component in the club drug Ecstasy, which makes it illegal. It is unlikely to hurt you and won’t improve your clubbing experience because fresh Hoja Santa only contains trace levels of this chemical. Nonetheless, it’s recommended to use it carefully, as with anything.