Light:

Full sun or partial sun.

Temperature:

Minimum indoor temperature of 65 degrees or higher. As they are warm growing plants, growth will stop when temperatures are cool.

Humidity:

Preferably 50% or higher; however, will tolerate lower levels with no harm.

Watering:

Bring soil to visual dryness between watering and then thoroughly saturate the root ball until some water runs out of the drainage hole.  Growing in a clay pot is preferred.

Fertilizer:

They are moderate to light feeders.  Fertilize once every week or two with ¼ tsp./gallon of a balanced soluble fertilizer.  Discontinue in the winter.

Pruning:

They are vining in habit; prune only to maintain form and control size

Insects and Disease:

No known problems with insects.  They are susceptible to root diseases.  It is important to maintain warm temperatures and accurate watering to circumvent this problem.  Like most pipers they form exudates or small beads on the backsides of the leaves and stems.  In time there appear tiny black dots. This is normal physiology and not an insect.

Comments:  

Piper nigrum is a slow growing vine with young plants taking several years to start flowering and fruiting well.  They grow best under bright sunlight and warm temperatures.  Flowering and pepper corn production is increased by growing under higher light.