Are Ornamental Peppers Edible?
Are ornamental peppers edible? Yes, ornamental peppers are edible. Ornamental peppers come in a variety of shapes and colors, and many people grow them for their ornamental value. But what most people don’t know is that these peppers are also edible. Ornamental peppers can be eaten fresh or cooked and have a range of flavors from sweet to spicy which makes them a tasty addition to salads, pasta dishes, and other recipes.
Ornamental peppers are a beautiful addition to any garden, but many people wonder if they are also edible. The answer is yes – ornamental peppers can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a slightly spicy flavor and are a great addition to salads or salsa.
In this blog post, you will learn everything you need to know about ornamental peppers and why you should grow them in your garden.
What Are Ornamental Peppers?
Ornamental peppers are a type of plant that is prized for their vibrant colors and interesting shapes. These peppers come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and textures, making them perfect for adding visual interest to your raised bed garden or yard.
These peppers are grown for their appearance in the garden rather than for everyday eating. Ornamental peppers can be an incredible showpiece in your garden if you are looking to add a pop of color.
Pepper Varieties are broken into these categories or families:
- Capsicum annuum
- Capsicum baccatum
- Capsicum chinense
- Capsicum frutescens
- Capsicum pubescens
How Can You Tell if A Pepper Plant Is Ornamental?
There are a few key signs that can help you to tell if a pepper plant is ornamental. First, ornamental peppers tend to be multicolored and very colorful in appearance, with bright red, yellow, or even purple leaves and stems.
Additionally, ornamental peppers tend to bear fruits that are much smaller than traditional bell peppers or hot peppers.
Finally, several ornamental pepper plants also have beautiful flowers or leaves that add visual interest to your garden.
If you’re looking for an eye-catching addition to your summer garden, look no further than the exotic and vibrant world of ornamental pepper plants!
Why Grow Ornamental Peppers?
There are many reasons why one might want to grow ornamental peppers in their garden or on their patio.
For starters, these beautiful plants are a great way to add some color and vibrancy to your space.
Whether you grow them in pots or plant them directly into the soil, ornamental peppers come in an array of bright, vibrant shades that are sure to catch people’s attention.
They can also be quite prolific, with many varieties capable of producing hundreds of peppers over the course of the growing season.
Beyond their visual appeal, ornamental peppers also have a number of practical benefits.
Thanks to their tough and sturdy nature, they make good plants for beginners who are just learning how to garden.
Plus, many varieties resist pests and diseases and do not require much care or maintenance once they have been established.
These ornamental peppers are also edible so if you find one that you like the flavor you will have peppers to harvest from them as well.
They tend to produce a great harvest and look great when pickled or even dried.
So if you’re looking for a fun challenge that will also help dress up your outdoor space, or looking for a new pepper to add to your plate, why not try growing some ornamental peppers? You won’t regret it!
Are Ornamental Peppers Spicy?
Yes, ornamental peppers can be quite spicy! These small, adorable peppers are usually grown for their attractive colors and interesting shapes rather than their flavor.
In fact, most of them have a relatively mild taste, even though many gardeners find that the heat level varies depending on the specific variety.
Some ornamental peppers are said to pack quite a spicy punch and can certainly turn up the heat in a dish, while others have only a very mild flavor.
So if you are looking for a fiery kick to your recipes, ornamental peppers are the perfect ingredient to add some spice to your cooking!
Peppers are measured on the SHU or in Scoville Heat Units, most commonly referred to as the Scoville scale.
Here are some common peppers that you would find at your local supermarket and some common ornamental peppers broke down by SHU so you can compare.
Common Peppers:
- Regular Bell pepper: 0 Scoville heat units
- Poblano pepper: up to 2,000 Scoville heat units
- Jalapeno pepper: up to 10,000 Scoville heat units
- Serrano pepper: up to 30,000 Scoville heat units
- Cayenne pepper: 50,000 Scoville heat units
- Habanero pepper: up to 350,000 Scoville heat units
Ornamental Pepper Varieties:
- Tangerine Dream pepper: 0 Scoville heat units
- Sangria pepper: up to 5,000 Scoville heat units
- Black pearl pepper: up to 30,000 Scoville heat units
- Aurora pepper: up to 50,000 Scoville heat units
- Bolivian rainbow pepper: up to 50,000 Scoville heat units
- Prairie fire pepper: up to 80,000 Scoville heat units
How to Grow Ornamental Pepper Plants
Growing ornamental pepper plants can be a great way to add some color and excitement to your garden. These plants come in a wide range of eye-catching colors, from bold reds and yellows to vibrant purples and greens.
Additionally, they are easy to care for and require little upkeep, making them the perfect choice for beginner gardeners.
To get started with your pepper plants, you will first need to choose a pot or planter that is large and deep enough to accommodate your plant’s roots.
Once you have selected a container, fill it with a well-draining soil mixture comprised of equal parts potting soil and sand or perlite.
Next, dig a planting hole that is just deep enough to accommodate the plant’s root ball without pressing down on it too hard.
Gently place the seedling into the hole so that only about an inch of the stem is showing above ground level.
Once your seedling is set into place, it’s time to give it some water! Be sure not to overwater your plant, as this can result in root rot or other problems.
The best way to determine whether your pepper plant needs more water is by checking the soil; if it feels dry or crumbly to the touch, it’s time to give your plant a drink.
You should use a well-balanced organic fertilizer such as worm castings or even compost tea to fertilize your ornamental peppers once or twice during the season.
Now that you have all the basics down, it’s time to start growing your very own ornamental pepper plant!
With a little bit of care and attention, you will soon have a beautiful and vibrant addition to your home or garden.
What Can I Do with Ornamental Peppers?
There are many ways to enjoy ornamental peppers in your home garden. Perhaps the easiest way is simply to grow them as ornamental plants, allowing their beautiful colors and shapes to add interest and visual appeal to your outdoor space.
Or if you want to get a little more creative, you can harvest these peppers for decorative food displays or even for cooking and baking.
Some people like to use them in unique pickling recipes, while others prefer to chop them up and add them to savory dishes or salsas.
Whatever your preference, there is plenty of fun and flavorful ways to enjoy ornamental peppers in your home garden!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions about ornamental peppers:
Are Ornamental Pepper Plants Poisonous to Dogs?
Yes, ornamental peppers are technically poisonous to animals if they are consumed in excess as these are a part of the Nightshade family with regular peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant.
When these are consumed in an unripe state they can cause some issues in pets.
I find that this is pretty rare as I have never had a pet actually consume an ornamental pepper and I grow them every year. In my experience, dogs and cats will typically stay away from them for the most part.
I have had our pet dogs in the past eat fresh ripe sweet peppers but again when the fruit is ripe, there are even fewer concerns.
Are Ornamental Peppers Perennial?
Yes, pepper plants of all types are what is considered a tender perennial which means that they can grow year-round in zones 9b-11. Those zones do not receive frost on a regular basis and can support the pepper plant year-round.
You can perennialize them in colder zones if you protect them from frosts when you get them. Cover them with fleece or plastic, or grow them in a greenhouse during the winter.
Do Ornamental Pepper Plants Come Back Every Year?
It really just depends on your garden location and the care that you give them throughout the season, and how you prep them for the winter.
If you give them the proper care throughout the gardening season, your plants will develop strong root systems and will be more likely to withstand colder temperatures or at least sprout again the next year.
If you mulch them with straw or shredded fall leaves, it will increase the chances that your plants will come back the following year and produce more peppers.
In Conclusion
Ornamental peppers are a beautiful and vibrant addition to your home or garden. There are many ways to enjoy ornamental peppers in your home garden, from simply growing them as ornamentals plants to harvesting them for decorative food displays or even cooking and baking.
Whatever your preference, there is plenty of fun and flavorful ways to enjoy ornamental peppers in your home garden!
