Monk's pepper or chaste tree is a perennial, hardy shrub (-15°C) mainly grown for ornamental purposes, for its blue-violet honey-producing flowers and pepper-scented leaves, which can reach 5 m in height.

Its purple flowering from August to September then gives way to berries in September-October containing seeds which are eaten grilled as a condiment.

Monk's pepper or chaste tree will thrive in any type of well-drained soil. Resistant to pollution, wind, sea spray and drought, it is perfectly suited to planting in dry gardens in urban areas but also by the sea. It tolerates pruning very well. In regions with severe winter frosts, plant under a wall, sheltered from cold winds. The vegetation will start growing again from the base in spring.

How to successfully sow monk's pepper

Sowing possible in the fall, in a terrine placed outside for emergence in the spring. Or for sowing in March, in December/January, soak your seeds for 24 hours then stratify the seeds for 3 months (place them in the fridge), then sow them in a terrine or pot in March in a mixture of compost + draining substrate, then placed at 20°C/30°C. Keep moist. Emergence takes about 15 days.
Transplant into a pot at the 4 to 5 leaf stage.

Grow in pots for 1 year.