Piper auritum

Also Known As

Hoja Santa
Mexican Pepperleaf
Rootbeer Tree
Sacred Pepper
Yerba Santa

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 4'-10'
W: 3'-10'

planting zones

8a-11

More Options

Piper auritum plant details

Piper auritum is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge. Grows well with mostly shade - shade and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Piper auritum

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: schisandraceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 10 FT - wide, 4 FT - 10 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, culinary, easy-to-grow, fragrant, heart-shaped leaves, houseplant, medicinal, spreading

GROWING CONDITIONS for Piper auritum

USDA Zones: 8a - 11
Sun exposure: mostly shade - shade
Watering frequency: regular

Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Piper auritum also known as the root beer plant has large corrugated heart shaped leaves. The leaves if crushed smell like root beer. The flowers are small slender white flowers that hang under the foliage. The stems can grow fairly large forming what looks like trunks with large nodes. They can often look a bit like bamboo if kept manicured. Piper auritum is easy to grow and fast. It can over winter in zone 8 and up and should be kept as a house plant in colder climates.

By: Brian's Botanicals

ROOT BEER TREE - HOJA SANTA - MEXICAN PEPPERLEAF - SACRED PEPPER - FALSE KAVA - YERBA SANTA - Heart shaped leaves with a root beer fragrance when rubbed or crushed. A vigorous perennial in zones 8-11, spreading by underground runners. Used in Mexican dishes to flavor soups, eggs, drinks. Likes moist soil and morning sun, afternoon shade. White spike like flowers similar to anthurium blossoms. Has many medicinal uses.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

Large aromatic heart-shaped tropical foliage with a rootbeer like fragrance when crushed. A vigorous upright perennial that spreads by underground runners. Used widely in Mexican dishes. Can be used fresh or dried to flavor soups, eggs, drinks and is an essential ingredient in Mole Verde.