Pepper valli / Kurumulaku

Pepper Plant Details

🔹 Scientific Info

• Scientific Name: Piper nigrum

• Family: Piperaceae

• Common Names:

  • English – Black Pepper, Long Pepper Vine

  • Malayalam – Kurumulak

 Plant Description

• Type: Perennial climbing vine

• Height: Climbs up to 4–10 meters with support

• Leaves: Large, heart-shaped, glossy, dark green

• Flowers: Small, greenish, in spikes called catkins

• Fruits: Peppercorns (green when unripe, black when dried, red when fully ripe)

• Growth Habit: Clings to support trees, poles, or trellis

• Habitat: Tropical regions with high humidity and rainfall

 Care & Cultivation

1. Support

• Needs trellis, poles, or living trees to climb

• Often grown on Areca nut or coconut trees in Kerala

2. Sun Light

• Prefers partial shade to filtered sunlight

• Avoid direct harsh sunlight

3. Soil

• Well-drained fertile loamy soil, rich in organic matter

• Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7) is ideal

4. Watering

• Requires consistent moisture, especially during dry months

• Avoid waterlogging; ensure good drainage

5. Pruning

• Prune old stems to encourage new growth and fruiting

• Remove weak or diseased stems regularly

 Fertilizer Use

Organic Fertilizers

• Apply vermicompost or cow dung compost at 2–3 kg per plant every 3–4 months

• Liquid manures like Jeevamrutham / Panchagavya monthly for leafy and flowering growth

Inorganic Fertilizers (Optional for commercial yield)

• NPK 10:10:10 or 17:17:17 @ 50–75 g per plant every 2–3 months

• High nitrogen supports vine growth; potassium & phosphorus support flowering and fruiting

 Uses of Pepper Plant

Culinary Uses

• Black peppercorns – used as spice in cooking worldwide

• Green pepper – used fresh or pickled

• Red/ripe pepper – dried as long pepper or specialty products

Medicinal / Herbal Uses

• Known as the “King of Spices”

• Improves digestion and appetite

• Has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties

• Used in Ayurvedic medicine for respiratory and joint health

Environmental Uses

• Provides green cover

• Climbs on support trees without harming them if grown properly