Male flowers last only 1 day. Female flowers last up to 6 days and are pollinated by insects. Fruits usually are mature by December. Birds and mammals are the chief means of seed dispersal. Seed viability is 30 to 60 percent and can last up to 2 months, but declines to 0.05 percent at 5 months.
Many native species have a lower percentage of germination than Schinus.
The high seed viability combined with animal dispersing agents may explain colonization by Brazilian pepper-tree in our native plant communities. Seedlings have a high rate of survival and some can be found all year. Any break in the tree canopy can be exploited by seedlings. Reproduction can occur 3 years after germination. Some trees can live for about 35 years.