Black Prince Pepper

Slightly sweet with earthy notes, a hint of fruitiness, and light bitterness; straightforward and not highly complex, typical of ornamental peppers.

The Black Prince Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a small but visually striking ornamental variety originating from Mexico. Its cone-like pods are tiny, typically reaching only about 1/2 inch long and 1/2 inch wide, starting as a deep purplish-black and ripening to a rich red. The plant itself stands out with dark purple stems, leaves that often show a purplish hue, and attractive purple flowers, making it a favorite for landscaping, patios, borders, and rock gardens. While fully edible, the peppers offer a mildly sweet flavor with earthy undertones, light fruitiness, and a touch of bitterness, though they lack significant depth or complexity beyond the heat. With a wide Scoville range of 5,000 to 30,000 SHU, the heat can vary even on the same plant, ranging from mild to comparable with a mild cayenne pepper. This makes it versatile for adding color and spice to salsas, hot sauces, salads, and dried preparations, though it is primarily grown for its ornamental value. The open-pollinated plants produce good yields of upright pods with thin flesh and grow to 24-36 inches tall, thriving in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Suitable for containers and gardens alike, it matures in about 85 days and adds dramatic color contrast throughout the season.

The Black Prince Pepper is an ornamental cultivar developed for its dramatic dark foliage and pods that shift from purplish-black to red. It originates from Mexico and has become popular among gardeners and seed companies for its aesthetic appeal in both landscapes and edible gardens.