Promising Plants Profiles

Pimenta dioica

Genus: Pimenta
Specific Epithet: dioica
Common Name: allspice, pimento, Jamaica pepper
Family: Myrtaceae

Flower Color: white
Form: evergreen tree
Hardiness Zone: 10
Height: 30-50'
Soil: well-drained, rich, sandy soil
Sun: full sun

Uses: culinary, medicinal, economic
Parts Used: leaves, berries, oil

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"Although allspice berries are in virtually every kitchen pantry, the leaves are rarely used. However, you can achieve the same clove-like, spicy flavor with the leaves as the berries. Use them to add depth to desserts and beverages. Pimenta dioica is a superb outdoor tree if you live in areas that don’t go below freezing. It also makes a great container plant for those of us that live in the cold north. Treat this plant from the Myrtaceae family much like sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) for indoor culture."
– Scott Kresge, Promising Plants Presentation, 2004

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