Calico Ornamental Pepper Seeds

Calico Pepper is a colorful ornamental pepper variety grown for its striking variegated foliage and decorative purple fruits. The leaves are beautifully splashed and mottled with green, cream, white, and purple tones, giving the plant ornamental value even before the peppers appear. As the season progresses, small upright fruits develop in shades of deep purple and mature toward red, creating a bold contrast against the painted foliage.

This compact variety is especially useful in containers, patio planters, annual borders, and mixed ornamental plantings. Unlike many ornamental peppers that rely mainly on fruit color, Calico Pepper offers both showy foliage and colorful peppers, making it attractive from early summer until frost. Its unusual leaf pattern makes it a standout accent plant for gardeners who enjoy vivid, variegated foliage.

Garden Uses

Calico Pepper is excellent for containers, patio pots, porch displays, flower borders, edging, and ornamental vegetable gardens. The variegated foliage pairs beautifully with purple petunias, white alyssum, dusty miller, coleus, marigolds, zinnias, and ornamental grasses. It is especially effective in mixed containers where its painted leaves provide texture and contrast even before fruiting begins.

This variety also works well as a small focal plant in annual beds. Its compact size makes it easy to tuck into sunny spaces where foliage color, fruit color, and season-long interest are desired.

Growing Information

Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep in a warm seed-starting mix. Pepper seeds germinate best with steady warmth, ideally 75 to 85 degrees F. Germination usually occurs in 10 to 21 days. Provide bright light after sprouting to encourage sturdy growth and strong foliage color.

Transplant outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures remain warm. Grow in full sun for the brightest foliage variegation and heaviest fruit production. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil. In containers, use a quality potting mix and a pot with good drainage. Keep plants evenly moist, especially during hot weather, but avoid soggy soil.

Fruits are considered edible, though they are generally very hot and are grown primarily for ornamental display. Handle peppers carefully and wash hands after harvesting or cutting.

• Plant Type: Tender annual ornamental pepper
• Height: 10 to 16 inches
• Spread: 10 to 14 inches
• Foliage Color: Variegated green, cream, white, and purple
• Fruit Color: Purple maturing toward red
• Fruit Habit: Small upright ornamental peppers
• Good for Containers: Excellent
• Edible: Yes, but hot