ARS Introduces Purple Rain as the “Prince” of Ornamental Peppers

ARS researchers in Beltsville, MD, have made an exciting development – they have propagated a “prince” of an ornamental pepper, called Purple Rain. This new ornamental pepper provides small farmers with a high-value alternative crop. Purple Rain is small in stature with vibrant green, purple, and white variegated foliage that contrasts with its black, immature and red mature fruit colors. Purple Rain peppers are easily propagated from seed and have a short cropping time. They are also heat and drought-tolerant and maintain an excellent “keeping quality,” allowing for longer storage.  

This ARS discovery affords growers a new crop to add to their potted plants and to their bedding, color, and landscape plant assortments. In addition, Purple Rain is well-suited as an accent or filler for container arrangements. Purple Rain will also benefit growers, seed producers, and plant propagators who supply seed and plants to the wholesale and retail ornamental markets. According to ARS researchers, ornamental peppers like Purple Rain have the highest per-unit-value of any pepper product.

For more information: https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/60/2/article-p230.xml