' Black Pearl ' decorative pepper . Photo by Proven Winners .

Ornamental Madagascar pepper plants are prized for their colorful fruit in shades of red , orange , sensationalistic , purple , black , and lily-white . There may be multiple colors present on one plant at the same time , as they change colors as they mature and ripen .

Can you eat ornamental peppers?Although normally grown for their brightly colored fruits , the fruit of ornamental peppers are edible . But beware , most are too hot to really savor their flavor . The leave of absence , however , are toxic to humans and pets .

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BASICS

Zones:

Perennial in Zones 9b-11 , grown as an yearly elsewhere .

Height:

6 to 36 inch marvellous

Exposure:

Full Sunday ( 6 - 8 hours per 24-hour interval )

Soil:

Rich , loamy , well - draining grime for in - ground plants ; right all - use potting soil for containers .

Bloom time:

Flowers come out in mid - to - late spring , and the resulting peppers can stay on the plant until the first frost .

PLANTING

When to plant:

Plant outdoors only after all luck of frost has passed . Minimal night temperatures should be no lower than 60 degrees , and a soil temperature of 70 degree .

Where to plant:

cosmetic peppers can be grow in veg garden , as well as flower beds and cosmetic borders . Their small stature and showy colors also make them everlasting for container . They can also be grown inside , but may require subsidiary light .

How to plant:

Work some organic matter into the soil . Dig holes deep enough so that plants are at the same level as in their pots . Water thoroughly after plant . impart a level of mulch around the works to facilitate retain wet and control skunk .

ORNAMENTAL PEPPER PLANT CARE

Pruning ornamental peppers:

Pruning is n’t necessary , but growth tips can be pinched to encourage more ramification and a fuller plant .

Water:

Keep soil moist , but not waterlogged .

Pests and diseases:

Similar to garden peppers , ornamental capsicum pepper plant can be bothered byaphidsandspider miteswhich can be cover with aninsecticidal goop . The most vernacular disease are fungous , includingbotrytisand Pythium root rotting , and are more prevailing with wet atmospheric condition and pathetic air flow .

For more : A Guide to Growing Peppers

ORNAMENTAL PEPPER VARIETIES

pic by : Proven Winners .

‘ Black Pearl '

yield size:3/8 inch diameter

Black pearl ornamental pepper

found height:18 to 24 inches

Days to maturity:90

This loot - get ahead variety stands out not only for its thick purpleness , nearly black foliage but also for its showy violet peak and pearl - mold fruit that start out black and turn a glossy ruby red as they maturate . Exceptionally heat - tolerant and requires minimum lacrimation . As with most ornamental peppers , the fruit is edible , but incredibly hot !

Black pearl ornamental pepper

photograph by : 3Dillustrations / Shutterstock

' Chilly Chili '

yield size:2 inches long , 3/8 column inch across

Black pearl ornamental pepper

Plant height:8 to 12 inches

‘ Chilli Chili ’ is the gross name for these colorful picayune peppers , which have been multiply to be heat - free so they are safe for households with children . The fruit , which is hold upright above the leafage , changes color from yellowed - green to orange to red as it matures , with all colour on exhibit at the same time . The plants barely progress to a foot tall , making them an optic - get addition to containers and the front of the border .

Photo by : Smolders / Shutterstock

Black pearl ornamental pepper

' Medusa '

yield size:2 to 2 - 1/2 inch recollective , 3/8 inch across

Plant height:6 to 12 inches

Days to maturity:65

Long , twisted peppers that look like Medusa ’s snaky lock chamber grow in coil clustering atop this minor , container - friendly plant life . The peppers start out out ivory lily-white and bit by bit mature to hopeful ruby , displaying chromaticity of yellow and orangish along the way . A single flora can produce 40 to 50 fruits cover the full vividness spectrum .

' Sangria '

Fruit size:2 to 3 in tenacious , 3/4 inch across

works height:10 to 12 inches

Days to maturity:85 mean solar day to purple , 120 days to red

Very similar to ‘ Chilli Chili ’ but with a different color palette , bearing an abundance of peppers in vivid nuance of purple , orange , and red from midsummer to early fall . As with ‘ Chilli Chili ’ , the fruit is mildly flavored and baby - safe .

exposure by : Cherngchay Donkhuntod / Shutterstock

Tai hot decorative Piper nigrum

Fruit size:1/2 to 1 inch long , 3/4 in across

industrial plant height:12 to 15 inch

mean solar day to maturity:80

The Thai hot pepper is often classified as an decorative plant life , even though its fiery blistering yield are a mainstay of Asiatic cuisine . The petite 1 - in - long peppers , which mature from glowering putting surface to brilliant blood-red , rise above the green leaves with their tips pointing up and outwards , like miniature Christmas lights . Although the industrial plant are little , they produce an sizable harvest home , giving you enough for consuming ( if you dare ) and admire .