Chinese Pepper Bonsai Tree

The Chinese Pepper is a subtropical tree with small paripinnate leaves which is very common as indoor bonsai. It must be protected from temperatures below 10° C / 50° F.

The Chinese Pepper, which is also called Sichuan Pepper, grows in many parts of Asia and is especially common in the Himalaya, Japan and Korea. It usually grows as a large shrub and can become about 2m (6ft) tall. From the fruits of the Chinese Pepper a hot spice can be made, although it is not related to the real black pepper. It is a dioecious plant with male and female specimen. The small leaves are paripinnate, dark green and glossy. Trunk and branches have thorns which can make wiring a painful experience. The small flowers appear in terminal florescences and have a greenish yellow colour, while the mature fruits are reddish and look like peppercorns.