Tasmanian mountain pepper Tasmannia lanceolata
Tasmanian mountain pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Winteraceae family, native to Cool, wet forests of Tasmania, Victoria and southern New South Wales. It grows 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
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Tasmanian mountain pepper at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Winteraceae |
| Mature height | 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: leaves (dried, as a peppery spice), berries (dried, “pepperberry”) |
| Native to | Cool, wet forests of Tasmania, Victoria and southern New South Wales |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Tasmanian mountain pepper toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; very hot and numbing when fresh, so use sparingly.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Tasmanian mountain pepper
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Tasmanian mountain pepper
- How far apart should I plant Tasmanian mountain pepper?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Tasmanian mountain pepper need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tasmanian mountain pepper need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Tasmanian mountain pepper?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Tasmanian mountain pepper flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks.
- Is Tasmanian mountain pepper poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; very hot and numbing when fresh, so use sparingly.
- What grows well with Tasmanian mountain pepper?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tasmanian mountain pepper. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- An evergreen shrub with crimson young stems, aromatic leaves and glossy black berries; leaves and berries have a fiery, numbing heat (polygodial) and are dried and ground as native pepper. Male and female plants are separate, so grow both for berries. Hardy in mild British gardens.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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