Ornamental Pepper Plants
Houseplants can often be difficult to care for, particularly those that flower or give fruit. For plants that do not produce flowers, the foliage simply stays the same and offers no variety in terms of color. Ornamental pepper plants, with their peppers in vibrant colors, are a good alternative to the hard-to-care-for and solid-color houseplants. Does this Spark an idea?
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Varieties
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There a number of varieties of ornamental peppers. Some are cultivated for the use of peppers themselves, most notably the varieties that are extremely hot on the tongue. Other peppers are grown for their color. The peppers on a tricolor pepper plant range from purple to red, orange and yellow. The black pearl pepper plant gives round, deep red peppers that appear almost black. There is an ornamental pepper plant for any need.
Uses
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Ornamental peppers can be grown indoors or out. In an outdoor setting, the plants may be placed in flower beds, borders, or, for edible varieties, in the garden. Indoor plants can be placed anywhere for a splash of vivid color. Most ornamental peppers are grown for their abundance of vibrant color rather than for use in cooking, and they are a popular decoration during the holiday season in December.
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Cultivation
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When planting in borders or beds outdoors, space plants approximately 14 inches apart. If starting from seed, plant in spring for pepper appearance in summer through fall. Seeds can also be started indoors, or in a greenhouse, in July in order for these peppers to appear by December. Each ornamental plant variety varies in the amount of peppers it produces, and many plant owners discard the pepper plants after the plant stops producing.
Care
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Outdoor ornamental peppers require very little care. They grow best in sunny locations and may reach up to 18 inches in height, depending on the variety. To keep them over the winter, bring them indoors. Plants should be watered regularly to keep the soil moist. Fertilizer can be used on ornamental peppers to keep up growth and pepper production.
Considerations
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If young children or pets are in the home, place ornamental peppers out of reach. Not only are some peppers extremely hot, they can be poisonous to pets and humans. When purchasing a potted ornamental pepper that might be used for cooking, be aware that some stores spray these plants with insecticides that are harmful if ingested.
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References
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture: Plant of the Week -- Ornamental Pepper
- Types of Plants: Ornamental Pepper
- Denver Plants: Ornamental Pepper
- Ohio State University Floriculture: 2003 Ornamental Pepper Cultivar Trials
- University of California Master Gardener: Christmas Peppers and Holiday Lights
Resources
- Photo Credit Thai Chilli Pepper Plant image by Stephen Gibson from Fotolia.com
