It can be grown outdoors or indoors and is valued for its large, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves.
Foliage gives rise to the common name ‘root beer plant’ for fragrance released from crushed leaves.
They infuse a peppery, anise flavor into Mexican and South American dishes.
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Small spikes covered with multiple, tiny, white flowers are lightly scented and attract pollinators.
Safrole has a low toxicity level when used in high doses.
Where to Plant
Plant outdoors to receive morning sun.
It has high water needs, so easy access to a water source is helpful.
A sheltered spot prevents wind damage to long, thin stems and large leaves.
This plant thrives in wetlands and along woodland edges with dappled light.
It adapts well to average household conditions as a houseplant.
Root beer plant spreads aggressively through rhizomes and seed distribution.
It requires plenty of moisture so maintain dry soil in areas to discourage spread.
Raised beds and containers are additional methods to prevent unwanted spread.
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It grows easily from seed which may be difficult to locate.
Spring planting is recommended to allow time for establishing before cooler weather sets in.
Work compost into the planting bed and dig a hole just deep enough to accommodate the root ball.
Loosen the soil around the insides of the hole then set your plant and backfill.
Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch to retain soil moisture.
For container growing, choose a well-draining potting mix withsphagnum moss.
Start seeds indoors four to six weeks before the final frost or direct sow after the frost has passed.
Sprinkle seeds on soil or potting mix and lightly press in.
They need light exposure to germinate.
Root Beer Plant Care
Light
Root beer plant thrives in dappled light.
Work compost into outdoor planting beds and add sphagnum moss and/or perlite to a quality potting mix.
Water
This is a water-loving tropical plant.
Aim to keep soil evenly moist at all times and do not let it dry out.
Soil should stay damp but not soggy which causesroot rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Root beer plants can survive short periods at 32F.
Roots are hardy to 10F.
In frost and freeze-free zones, it stays evergreen.
Ideal temperatures fall between 60F and 80F with high humidity levels.
When grown indoors, plants may needsupplemental humidity.
Fertilizer
Additional fertilizer may not be necessary if the planting area consists of fertile loam.
Propagation
Root cuttings are the easiest way to propagate root beer plant.
Use a shovel or trowel to remove a rhizome from the mother plant.
Transplant it into a desired location or into a nursery pot.
The rhizome will sucker and grow new shoots.
In warm, moist soil seedlings should emerge in seven to ten days.
How to Prune Root Beer Plant
Root beer plant doesn’t need much pruning.
You may want to shape it on an as-needed basis to maintain form and appearance.
Root pruning helps control the spread and may be necessary with container-grown plants.
Foliage is similar to root beer plant and it can also be grown as a houseplant but requires support.
Plants grown indoors seldom produce fruit.
Piper longumis a tropical and subtropical vine or shrub hardy in zones 10 to 12.
It also produces pepper-like fruits inside catkins giving rise to the name ‘long pepper.’
Fruits are sweeter and more pungent than fruits ofPiper nigrum.
Root beer plant spreads aggressively by rhizome and reseeding.
Safrole.NIH National Library of Medicine
Piper auritum.Vanderbilt College of Arts and Sciences
