Hi,
I live in zone 6 and I have a black pepper plant which I bring indoors in winter. This is my first winter in a new house and I set up a grow light system in the basement. Unfortunately, the heater went out and it was much colder in the basement for many months than I would have liked. Most of my tropicals hated it, and a few died (RIP). The odd thing is, my black pepper plant seemed to thrive and grow all winter, even when it got as cold as 35-45 F in the basement. It's now covered in flowers and new leaves, and it's been 45-55 F at night the past month or so.
My plant's behavior seems to be opposed to common wisdom on the internet regarding the minimum temperature requirements for Piper nigrum. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I'm happy my plant is happy... but awfully surprised.