Black Pearl Pepper

Light citrusy-sweet flavor reminiscent of a ripe red bell pepper, with a slow-building heat.

Black Pearl peppers are primarily valued as ornamental plants but are fully edible. The compact, upright bushes grow 14 to 24 inches tall with semi-glossy black to deep-purple leaves and produce clusters of tiny, round, pearl-shaped fruits about 1/2 inch in diameter. Immature fruits are glossy black and mature to a vibrant crimson red. The flavor is lightly sweet and citrusy, reminiscent of a ripe red bell pepper, paired with a slow-building heat. While the peppers can be used fresh in salsas, soups, stews, or dried for flakes, the plant's dark foliage and fruit color change make it a favorite for containers, borders, and landscaping. It is heat- and drought-tolerant, thrives in full sun, and needs little care once established.

Developed in the late 1990s to early 2000s by USDA scientists Rob Griesbach and John Stommel at the U.S. National Arboretum, working with ornamental breeding lines at Beltsville, Maryland. USDA released the cultivar in 2005 with PanAmerican Seed, and it was named a 2006 All-America Selections flower winner after national trials in 2004.

How hot is Black Pearl Pepper?

Capsi’s sourced range is 5,000–30,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat

What does Black Pearl Pepper taste like?

Light citrusy-sweet flavor reminiscent of a ripe red bell pepper, with a slow-building heat.

How do I grow Black Pearl Pepper?

Black Pearl Pepper: about 90 days to maturity, warm-season climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

What can I substitute for Black Pearl Pepper?

serrano pepper, cayenne pepper