plant with small black seeds Pepper Seeds - Hot PepperDescription A showpiece with bite. Black Olive (Capsicum annuum) is an ornamental edible distinguished by deep purple black foliage and glossy fruit that shifts from inky violet to wine red at maturity. Heat is lively and clean, typically 10,000 to 30,000 Scoville units, with bright peppery flavor that plays well in the kitchen. Plants are compact and dramatic, usually 18 to 24 inches tall, with a tidy, upright habit that loads each node with blossoms

Description

A showpiece with bite. Black Olive (Capsicum annuum) is an ornamental edible distinguished by deep purple-black foliage and glossy fruit that shifts from inky violet to wine-red at maturity. Heat is lively and clean, typically 10,000 to 30,000 Scoville units, with bright peppery flavor that plays well in the kitchen.

Plants are compact and dramatic, usually 18 to 24 inches tall, with a tidy, upright habit that loads each node with blossoms and fruit. The leaves emerge green, then darken to near black in full sun, setting off clusters of small, conical pods held upright above the canopy. Pods average 1 to 2 inches, with thin to medium walls that dry quickly for flakes or powder. As they ripen, you can enjoy a full gradient on a single plant, from purple-black through mahogany to rich red.

Taste a slice and the heat arrives promptly, a quick spark that builds to medium-hot, balanced by fresh, green-herb notes that turn a little sweeter at full red. In the kitchen, mince for salsas and stir-fries, or dry for striking confetti-like flakes. The pods also shine in quick pickles and chili oils, where their color and brightness carry through.

Bred from ornamental-culinary lines of C. annuum and rooted in the species domesticated by Indigenous farmers of Mesoamerica, Black Olive brings modern garden drama without sacrificing usefulness. It is a reliable, heavy-setting variety that turns containers and borders into living art while supplying plenty of flavorful heat for everyday cooking.