Fragrant Plants: Allspice

Crack open a leaf from an Allspice bush and take a deep whiff, and you're likely to be transported to your grandmother's warm kitchen where a pumpkin pie has just emerged from the oven, or to a cozy spot in front of a roaring fire with a cup of eggnog in hand. (Or, if you're from Cincinnati or thereabouts, it may bring to mind a big plate of chili...) The redolent scents of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon combine in this one tropical tree, Pimenta dioica, which you'll find growing in the Ray Charles Live Oak Sensory Garden in the Historic Tree Grove at MOSI Outside.

Ah, if only this screen were scratch-n-sniff...

A Gift of the Birds. For many years, it was believed that Allspice would grow only in its native Jamaica, as those who tried propagating it from seed in other areas generally failed. However, other wild populations have been found in Mexico and Central America - most likely spread by migrating birds. Allspice seeds have a tough outer coating that is most easily removed by passing through a bird's digestive tract. This has led to its easy spread in Jamaica and other areas in Central America, as well as Hawaii, where it has naturalized.

Allspice is grown commercially in Jamaica, where it is an island specialty, as well as Mexico, Honduras, and Cuba. The berries are harvested when green and dried in the sun. It is sold both ground and as whole dried berries, which many feel give a better flavor when freshly ground. The leaves and bark and also contain essential oils including eugenol, which give Allspice its delicious fragrance, and so can be used fresh in cooking. However, the dried leaves do not hold flavor well, and are not sold commercially.

This allspice has been in place for about 3 years. It has put on about 3 feet of growth
in that time, but Tampa has not experienced a serious freeze in that time either.

Growing Allspice. Allspice is a tropical plant that cannot withstand extended frosts or freezes. It can survive a chilly night or two in the upper 20s, but may experience some cold damage. We grow it outdoors here in zone 9b but keep an eye on it during cold spells in case it needs to be covered for protection. Anyone in colder zones can grow Allspice as a container plant.

Allspice grows slowly, and can reach 40 feet in ideal conditions, but will remain much smaller outside of its native range. It is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female trees, and you must have at least one of each growing in close proximity in order for the trees to set fruit. Additionally, Allspice may not actually flower outside of its native range, so cultivating the berries that are needed to make the ground spice isn't necessarily feasible at home unless you live in the tropics.

What's in a Name? The common name "allspice" comes from the combination of fragrances produced by this tree. The genus name Pimenta recalls the early Spanish explorers who, upon encountering this tree for the first time, confused it with the black pepper (Pimienta in Spanish) that they were so eagerly seeking. The specific epithet dioica refers to the separate male and female plants of this species.