Rootbeer Plant

Scientific Name: Piper auritum

Common Names: Hoja Santa, Mexican Pepperleaf, Root Beer Plant

Native to: Mexico, Central America

Lighting Requirements: Partial Shade to Full Shade

Height: 3-10 feet (depending on where it's grown)

Width: 3-6 feet (depending on where it's grown)

Winter Look: Dies back to the ground in Central Texas

Seasonal Interest: Year-round (large, aromatic leaves)

Drought Tolerance: Low to Moderate; prefers consistently moist soils

Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained, loamy soils (Grew well in my clay soil)

pH Range: 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-11

Deer Resistance: Moderate; not a preferred food source

Attracts: Bees, Butterflies (when blooming)

Notes: Often grown for its aromatic leaves used in traditional Mexican cuisine. It should be noted that the safrole oil in the leaves is a known carcinogen to animals. 

I grew this plant in a pot to contain it, though it escaped the pot and spread quickly through my garden. If you grow this plant I would do so in a pot with a tray or set on a stepping stone or patio.