Ornamental Pepper Plants
Although ornamental peppers can be grown as perennials in USDA growing zones 9b through 11, they are usually grown as annuals. They can also be grown indoors and make attractive houseplants.
Are Ornamental Peppers Edible?
Ornamental peppers are safe to eat, but they are normally grown for their attractive color and ornamental qualities rather than their flavor, which you may find disappointing. Most people consider them too hot to enjoy anyway. Peppers bred for culinary use produce better fruit for eating.
How to Grow Ornamental Pepper Plants
Start ornamental peppers indoors in small individual pots filled with potting soil or seed starting medium. Bury the seeds ¼ to ½ inch (6 mm. to 1 cm.) deep. Allow one to two weeks for the seeds to germinate and another six to eight weeks for the seedlings to reach transplanting size. Begin feeding the seedlings with half-strength liquid fertilizer at two week intervals about three weeks after they germinate if you have planted them in seed starting medium. The medium manages water well and helps prevent fungal diseases such as damping off, but it doesn’t contain nutrients the plant needs to grow. Good potting soils contain enough nutrients to support the plant until transplanting time. Transplant the seedlings into a sunny part of the garden with organically rich, well-drained soil. Space the plants according to the directions on the seed packet or plant tag, or about 12 inches (30+ cm.) apart. If you prefer to grow your ornamental peppers in containers, use 6- to 8-inch (15 to 20 cm.) pots filled with good quality general purpose potting soil.
Ornamental Pepper Care
Ornamental peppers require little care. Water the plants when there is less than an inch (2.5 cm.) of rain in a week. Side dress with general purpose fertilizer when the first fruits appear and again about six weeks later. Growing ornamental peppers in containers lets you enjoy the colorful fruit up close. Keep the potting soil evenly moist and use a liquid houseplant fertilizer or a slow-release houseplant fertilizer as directed.
