Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree - Evergreen Trees Direct

Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree

Name: Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 1100.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$1,100.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

9997 in stock

Size: 200L

200L 100L 40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 0.9m – 2m Approx.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information..
200L: 1.5m – 3.6m Approx.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree

Schinus molle (Peppercorn Tree) looks excellent when planted as a broad, architectural feature in large open spaces such as rural driveways, paddocks, and windbreaks. Its wide, arching canopy and fine, feathery grey-green foliage create a striking, sculptural presence, providing generous shade and visual impact.

Highly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it thrives in poor, sandy soils under full sun, making it perfect for challenging Mediterranean or semi-arid environments. The delicate white flowers in late spring and vibrant pink-red berries add seasonal interest. Pair it with low-growing native grasses or drought-resistant shrubs to create layered, naturalistic underplantings that enhance its graceful form and provide ecological value.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m - 15m Approximately

Mature Width: 8 – 12 m

Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree is expected to grow Approx. 60 – 90 cm/year per year (Fast).

Frost Tolerance

Is Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree frost tolerant?

Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Schinus molle produces clusters of small, creamy-yellow flowers in spring and early summer. While subtle, these blossoms are followed by bright pink berry-like drupes that hang in ornamental clusters, offering a soft seasonal display that stands out against the tree’s graceful, weeping foliage.

Native Information

Is Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree an Australian Native? No

Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree is Native to South America, particularly Peru, where it grows naturally in dry, open forests and rocky soils.

Wildlife Value

Its fine, feathery canopy provides excellent shelter for small birds, while its flowers attract bees and beneficial insects throughout the warmer months. The pink berries that follow are also eaten by some bird species, making Schinus molle a valuable habitat tree for supporting biodiversity in dry and open landscapes.

Sunlight Information

Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Schinus molle performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils with a neutral to alkaline pH. It will tolerate poorer, drier soils provided drainage remains free-flowing. Avoid heavy clay, compacted or waterlogged sites unless significantly improved, as excess moisture can stress the roots and reduce growth. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the tree matures and develops its natural drought resilience.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Peppercorn Tree

Genus: Schinus

Botanical Species: molle

Family: Anacardiaceae

Botanical Name: Schinus molle

Landscape Uses

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Rural Property Planting
Avenue Planting

Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree works in an:

Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant:

Choose a location with well-draining soil and exposure to full sun.
Dig a hole that is the same depth as the root ball and at least twice as wide.
Place the tree in the hole at the correct depth.
Backfill with soil, water thoroughly, and add mulch to conserve moisture.

Hedging & Screening: Not typically used for hedging

Feature Tree: 4 – 6 meters

Avenue Planting: 5 – 7 meters

Caring for Schinus molle:

Prune as needed to remove dead or diseased branches and to maintain the tree's shape.
Water regularly during the first few years to establish a deep root system.
Harvest the peppercorns for culinary use when they ripen.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Performs best in well-drained soils and is tolerant of poor, dry conditions.

Sandy Soil: Well-suited—add compost to support initial establishment.
Clay Soil: Improve drainage with organic matter and avoid waterlogged areas.
Loamy Soil: Ideal; mulch to retain moisture in summer and suppress weeds.
Gravelly or Rocky Soil: Naturally adapted—low maintenance once established.

Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree is expected to grow Approx. 60 – 90 cm/year per year (Fast).

Fast Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it benefits from regular deep watering to establish well. Once established, Schinus molle shows excellent drought tolerance and thrives in hot, dry conditions, maintaining its weeping form and fine foliage with minimal supplementary watering. It is one of the most resilient options for tough, exposed sites.

Flowering Information

Does Schinus molle - Peppercorn Tree flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

White

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Peppercorn Tree drought-tolerant?
A: Yes, it’s extremely drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for dry or semi-arid landscapes.

Q: Is Schinus molle suitable for small residential gardens?
A: It’s best suited to large properties due to its wide canopy and fast growth.

Q: Does it need regular pruning?
A: No, it requires very little maintenance. Prune only to shape or manage canopy spread.

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