Extension

Ornamental peppers are a great addition to a garden because they put on a show of color that is enjoyable in the fall. The fruit comes in various shades of red, purple, yellow, orange, black or white. The foliage is also colorful.

 

What makes them even more dramatic in the landscape is the peppers change colors as they ripen, so one plant may boast different colors at one time resulting in a high-impact visual effect. They can be used as bedding plants if desired or grown in pots on the deck or patio.

 

Some ornamental peppers have been developed specifically for the potted plant and nursery industries that exhibit dwarfing characteristics. This gives the plant a compact stature and bright, colorful, upright fruit that spreads across the top of the plants. These plants are about 14 to 18 inches tall and 8 to 10 inches wide.

 

Ornamental peppers are heat tolerant, which makes them a great choice in the landscape among the other perennials and annuals. They’re also great indoor decorations during the fall and winter holidays.

 

While they’re safe to eat, ornamental peppers are typically grown for their color and ornamental qualities instead of their flavor. Ornamental peppers typically are very hot and not very palatable. One variety to try for the family that’s a bit more friendly is the Chilly Chili. This cultivar has petite 2-inch peppers that are edible, stand upright at the tips of each branch and change in color from yellow to orange to red.

 

One of the nice attributes of ornamental peppers is they require little care. Growing them would be a fun project for the whole family and a great way to introduce the younger members of the family to gardening. Water the plants if rainfall has been scarce. Early in the growing season, add a general-purpose fertilizer when the first fruits appear and again about six weeks later. If growing in a container, keep the potting soil evenly moist and use a liquid houseplant fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer. Follow the directions on the label.