ornamental pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Purple Flash'
Overview
Ornamental pepper (Capsicum annuum 'Purple Flash') is an amazing plant species with eye-catching purple foliage and stems. In addition to it's beautiful foliage, it produces small purple fruit with a brilliant lime green interior. Popular among gardeners for its ornamental beauty, it is easy to care for and drought tolerant. It grows best in light, well-drained soils and will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Ornamental pepper is a great choice for adding dramatic color to gardens and containers and can even be used in cooking for a unique flavor.
Care Guide
Watering
Ornamental peppers should be watered deeply, 1-2 times per week, in order to deliver water directly to the roots. Allow the top 1 inch of soil to become dry before watering again to ensure that the roots are getting adequate moisture. Depending on the climatic conditions, more frequent watering may be necessary. For best results, water in the morning to give the plant time to absorb moisture throughout the day. It is also a good idea to water the plant at the base instead of on the leaves. The key is to keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy or wet.
Light
Ornamental pepper is a plant species that thrives best in direct sunlight, with 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day. This species does not do well in areas with a lot of shade or overcast conditions, and should be kept away from obstructions such as buildings or trees, which can shade the area.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 11-12.
Pruning
Ornamental peppers should be pruned in early spring by removing any dead, diseased, or broken stems and branches, as well as any stems that are more than twice the diameter of the main stem. Pruning helps to improve air circulation and light penetration, and can also reduce the spread of any disease to other plants. Additionally, pruning will keep the shape of the plant more compact and promote new growth. Avoid pruning any stems by more than a third of their length to avoid stressing the plant.
Propagation
Seed Propagation, Cutting, Layering Propagation, Division, Grafting Propagation
Related plants
Other plants you might like if you grow ornamental pepper.
