peppervine
Nekemias arborea
USDA zones7 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size20 to 35 feet tall8 to 10 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Shrub , vine
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Green
- Foliage color
- Gold/yellow, green, purple/lavender, red/burgundy
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Attracts
Notes
Peppervine (Nekemias arborea) is a vine for a food garden. It is hardy to USDA zone 7, or down to 0°F (-18°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It grows fast and can reach 35 feet or more, so give it plenty of room. Deer usually look elsewhere for a meal. Birds eat the bluish-purple berries.
Pairs well with Wax myrtle, Golden club, and Loblolly pine.
Native range
AL, AR, DC, FL, and 16 more places. See all 20
AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NM, OH, OK, TN, TX, VA, and WV.