Japan Pepper

Zanthoxylum piperitum

Family
Rutaceae (roo-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Zanthoxylum (zan-THOK-sil-um)
Species
piperitum (pip-er-EE-tum)
Synonym
Fagara piperita
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Deciduous
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Green
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

San Diego, California

Seattle, Washington

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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I
Seattle, WA (Zone 8b) | August 2021 | positive

I grew up in Japan.
There was a Sansho tree in the backyard.
I picked a young leave and put it on my cupped left palm. Then...Read More

H
H
San Diego, CA | January 2011 | positive

This is an easy plant to grow in Southern California but I found it was favored by green aphids which cripple the terminal buds and stop ...Read More

G
G
Beautiful, BC (Zone 8b) | January 2006 | positive

Tough small tree with attractive foliage that looks variegated, strong aroma and used in Japanese cuisine. Caution as small spines on ste...Read More

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