Sweet Pepper 'Purple Flash'
Capsicum annuum 'Purple Flash'
An ornamental pepper that's as beautiful as it is delicious, featuring stunning purple and cream variegated foliage topped with small, colorful peppers that ripen from purple to orange to red. This compact variety works perfectly as an edible landscape plant or container specimen, offering sweet, mild peppers alongside incredible visual appeal. Purple Flash proves that peppers can be both functional and gorgeous in the garden.
Harvest
60-70d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Sweet Pepper 'Purple Flash' in USDA Zone 7
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Sweet Pepper 'Purple Flash' · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Water: KAP-sih-kum AN-yoo-um. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 8 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Fruits are a non-pulpy berry and vary considerably across cultivars. Some are long, thin, bright red, and spicy; others are thick, large, and sweet-tasting; others still are small and in ornamental shapes and colors, grown as decoration.
Color: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Type: Berry. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Good Dried, Showy
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Purple Flash peppers store best in the refrigerator's vegetable crisper for 1-2 weeks when kept in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while preventing moisture buildup. At room temperature, they'll maintain quality for 3-5 days.
For longer preservation, these small peppers excel when pickled whole – their size and mild flavor make them perfect cocktail garnishes. Simply pack sterilized jars with peppers and cover with heated vinegar brine seasoned with garlic and herbs.
Freezing works well for cooked applications: blanch whole peppers for 2 minutes, cool in ice water, then freeze in sealed bags for up to 6 months. Their compact size means they thaw quickly for adding to stir-fries or soups. Dehydrating preserves their ornamental value – dried Purple Flash peppers retain color beautifully and make striking additions to dried flower arrangements while remaining edible for cooking.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical North and South America
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Heat
- +Attracts: Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: Birds are immune to the capsaicin in peppers and can safely eat the fruits with no ill effects. Therefore, these plants may attract birds. Host plant for Potato Tuber Moth.
- +Edible: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Tomato
Similar growing requirements and can share trellising systems effectively
Oregano
Repels pests like aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Carrots
Utilize different soil depths and carrots help break up compacted soil
Onions
Strong scent deters aphids, spider mites, and other common pepper pests
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting beneficial insects
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pests
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that stunts growth and can kill pepper plants
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of peppers and most vegetables
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169394)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant due to compact growth habit
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies
Diseases
Rarely affected by diseases in container culture