Ornamental pepper

Ornamental peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) are morphologically diverse and admired for their ornamental value. Considerable diversity exists in Capsicum germplasm for fruit and leaf shape and size, as well as plant habit. This morphological diversity, together with diverse ripe fruit color and varying hues of green to purple foliar pigmentation, affords a myriad of opportunities to develop unique ornamental cultivars. Easy seed propagation, relatively short cropping time, heat and drought tolerance, and excellent keeping quality contribute to the success of ornamental pepper cultivars. These attributes have enabled the ornamental pepper to be used as pot plants, novelties, cut stems, and bedding and garden plants. The availability of disease resistance in other pod types provides opportunities to introduce resistance into ornamental peppers. Renewed interest in ornamental peppers has stimulated new breeding activities. Knowledge gained from genetic studies and breeding of culinary type peppers affords valuable information for use in developing new ornamental pepper cultivars.