Ornamental Pepper
Capsicum annuum
Ornamental pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a tender plant grown for colorful fruit and foliage in full sun. Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, and expect fruit heat to vary a lot.
Quick facts
- Germination time
- Not yet verified
- Germination temperature
- 27–32 °C81–90 °F
- Sowing depth
- 1.5 cm½ in
- Spacing between plants
- 30 cm12 in
- Days to maturity
- 70–85 days from transplanting
- Sun
- Full sun
Safety for cats and dogs: not yet verified.
By SeedBattle EditorsUpdated
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01 · Overview
About ornamental pepper
Ornamental pepper is a name used for Capsicum annuum, a plant grown for its colorful fruit and foliage. It is tender to frost and is almost always grown as an annual in the UK.
The fruit is edible, but its spiciness is unpredictable. Fruit size, color and shape vary across varieties, and some range from very spicy to sweet. Small white to purple flowers appear in clusters in summer.
Growing details
- Start indoors
- 6–8 weeks before the last frost
- Sow outdoors
- Not yet verified
- Water
- Moderate
- Containers
- Yes, 19 L or largerYes, 5 gal or larger
- Height
- 0.3–1.1 m1–3½ ft
- Spread
- 15–30 cm6–12 in
- Frost tolerance
- Not yet verified
- Soil pH
- pH 6.0–6.5
- Life cycle
- Not yet verified
Sowing timeline
When to sow ornamental pepper seeds
Counted from your area's average last spring frost date. Find yours from a local weather service or garden center, then count back or forward.
- Germination temperature
- 27–32 °C81–90 °F
- Days to maturity
- 70–85 days from transplanting
02 · How to grow
How to grow ornamental pepper from seed
Starting seed. Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Sow seed about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep in flats. Pepper seeds germinate very slowly in cool soil, so keep the soil warm, around 80 to 90 °F (27 to 32 °C), if possible.
Moving outdoors. Set seedlings out in the garden after any possibility of frost. Transplant after frost, when the soil is warm and the weather has settled. Space plants 12 inches (30 cm) apart in the row; other guides suggest 18 inches (46 cm).
Light and soil. Plants need full sun, at least six hours of direct sun each day. They prefer moist, well-drained soil, and a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5.
03 · Care
Caring for ornamental pepper
Watering. Keep the soil consistently and evenly moist. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and reduce weeds. Irregular watering, whether too much or too little, can cause flower drop or blossom-end rot.
Feeding. Avoid over-fertilizing, because it encourages excessive foliage and delays fruit set and maturity.
Shaping. To make the plant bushier, pinch young plants. Pinch out early flower buds and small fruits to produce stronger plants. Plant stems can become brittle and may need support with cages or short trellises.
At a glance
How ornamental pepper compares with other flowers
Worked out from the growing facts of the 79 seeds in Flowers on SeedBattle.
- Ornamental Pepper
- Each of the other flowers
- Their average
- Germination temperatureWarmer than average
27–32 °C81–90 °F
Average for flowers: 21 °C70 °F, from 40 other seeds
- Sowing depthDeeper than average
1.5 cm½ in
Average for flowers: 4 mm⅛ in, from 25 other seeds
- Spacing between plantsCloser than average
30 cm12 in
Average for flowers: 37 cm14 in, from 13 other seeds
- HeightAbout average
0.3–1.1 m1–3½ ft
Average for flowers: 70 cm2½ ft, from 68 other seeds
04 · Problems
Common ornamental pepper problems
Watch for aphids, whiteflies, cutworms, pepper maggots and Colorado potato beetles. Very hot temperatures, especially when evening temperatures are above 75 degrees F., will slow or stop pod production. The roots can be temperamental if disturbed.
05 · Harvest
Harvesting ornamental pepper
Hot peppers may be picked green or left on the plant to change color. Cut pods rather than pulling them to avoid breaking branches.
06 · Storage
Storing ornamental pepper
Fresh peppers may be stored for up to three weeks in cool, humid conditions (45-50 °F and 85-90% relative humidity).
07 · Safety
Ornamental Pepper safety
Fruit heat is unpredictable. If eaten, most ornamental peppers are relatively spicy. Wear disposable gloves or wash hands thoroughly after cutting or handling hot peppers, and avoid touching your eyes and face.
Ornamental Pepper questions
How long do ornamental pepper seeds take to germinate?
Pepper seeds germinate very slowly in cool soil, so keep the soil warm, around 80 to 90 °F (27 to 32 °C), if possible. No day count for germination is given in these sources.
When should I start ornamental pepper seeds indoors?
Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date.
Can I grow ornamental peppers in a pot?
Yes, plant them in well-drained soil or containers, with a 5-gallon (19 L) minimum.
How much sun do ornamental peppers need?
Plant them where they get at least six hours of direct sun each day.
Quick answers
More ornamental pepper questions
Short answers taken from the growing facts on this page.
How deep should I sow ornamental pepper seeds?
Sow them 1.5 cm½ in deep.
How far apart should I plant ornamental pepper?
Space the plants 30 cm12 in apart.
What temperature do ornamental pepper seeds need to sprout?
Ornamental pepper seeds germinate at 27–32 °C81–90 °F.
How long does ornamental pepper take to mature?
Ornamental pepper takes 70–85 days from transplanting to mature.
How tall does ornamental pepper grow?
Ornamental pepper grows 0.3–1.1 m1–3½ ft tall.
What soil pH does ornamental pepper need?
Aim for soil at pH 6.0–6.5.
Side by side
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Two seeds, every growing fact lined up, so you can pick the one that suits your space.
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