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Chili Pepper Capsicum annuum (Longum group)

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Chili Pepper:

Phonetic Spelling
KAP-sih-kum AN-yoo-um
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The Longum group includes chili peppers and cayenne peppers.  They are edible but quite hot.  It is an annual herb or short-lived perennial that can be used as a houseplant or interiorscape.  Use in the landscape in vegetable gardens, containers, window boxes, or as a tender, herbaceous annual bedding plant.  Plants tolerate heat and drought well.

Pinching plants when they are young can help promote bushiness.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  Insect pests may include aphids, Colorado potato beetles, cutworms, pepper maggots, red spider mite, slugs, snails and whiteflies.  Potential diseases include bacterial and fungal leaf spot, mosaic virus, root rot, blossom end rot, and wilt. 

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Capsicum annuum.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#edible plant#interiorscape#low maintenance#showy fruits#window boxes#fast growing#edging#vegetable garden#ornamentals#edible fruits#bedding plants#vegetable#edible garden#fruits summer#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#edible plant#interiorscape#low maintenance#showy fruits#window boxes#fast growing#edging#vegetable garden#ornamentals#edible fruits#bedding plants#vegetable#edible garden#fruits summer#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Capsicum
    Species:
    annuum
    Family:
    Solanaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical America
    Wildlife Value:
    May attract masked bees.
    Play Value:
    Edible fruit
    Edibility:
    Fruit edible when raw or cooked but can be quite hot.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Vegetable
    Warm Season Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    A shiny, tapered berry of various colors.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Small, solitary, axillary, white or greenish, 5-parted
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple, smooth margined
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Nodes may be purple in color.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Burning or stinging of lips, tongue and throat; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; burning sensation of the eyes and skin; blistering after prolonged exposure.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Capsaicin and derivatives
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Seeds