Purple Ufo

The Purple UFO pepper is a unique heirloom Capsicum annuum variety celebrated for its striking flying saucer-shaped pods that transition from vibrant purple to red. It offers medium heat and a pleasant fruity flavor, making it excellent for both ornamental and culinary use.

Growing

~90 days to maturity

Fruit size

4–5 cm

Flavor & Use

Slightly sweet and fruity when ripe with tangy notes; vegetal when purple; crunchy texture.

slightly sweetfruitytangyvegetal

Culinary

picklingsalsassaladshot saucesfresh eating

About

Purple UFO produces distinctive flying saucer-shaped pods approximately 4–5 cm long that start vibrant purple and ripen through orange to deep red. The thin-walled, smooth-skinned fruits are crunchy with a pleasant fruity flavor and medium heat. Plants are prolific with dark foliage and strong branches, reaching 75–150 cm tall and performing well in containers or in-ground. Versatile for ornamental displays and culinary applications like pickling or fresh use.

Backstory

Heirloom variety with unknown specific origins but associated with the United States and reportedly developed or stabilized by breeder Matthew Arthur from a red UFO cross. Its striking shape gives it an extraterrestrial mystique popular among growers.

Appearance

ShapeUfo
ColorPurple · Orange · Red
Size4–5 cm
WallThin
SkinSmooth

Growing

SunFull
WaterModerate
ClimateSubtropical
Days to maturity90 days
Plant height75–150 cm
Soil pH6–7
Germination7–14 days
Spacing60 cm
HardinessZones 9-11

Heritage

We don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.

Sources